El Segundo's Roboze Lands New Capital
Roboze, an El Segundo-based leader in AI-driven distributed manufacturing, has secured a new investment from Rule 1 Ventures. The company's 'Physical AI' platform, which combines robotics and ML for precision production, is focused on the defense and critical infrastructure sectors.
The story of Roboze begins with founder Alessio Lorusso, who built his first beltless 3D printer in his bedroom at age 17. Now recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, he founded the company in Bari, Italy, to produce industrial-grade printers for advanced, high-performance polymers designed to replace metal components in extreme applications. Prior to this latest investment, Roboze had raised approximately $16.3M. A key early funding round in 2018 brought in €3 million from Equiter, an investment firm linked to the European Investment Bank, which helped fuel the company's initial global expansion and target 500% growth. The new investor, Rule 1 Ventures, signals a sharp strategic focus on national security and defense. The Atlanta-based VC firm is led by figures like retired four-star Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr., a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and specifically backs technologies that strengthen U.S. operational capabilities. This funding aims to expand Roboze's distributed manufacturing model, which establishes "Smart Factory" networks. The strategy directly addresses supply chain vulnerabilities in critical sectors by allowing customers to 3D print mission-critical parts on-demand and closer to the point of need, reducing lead times and logistical risks. The company's 'Physical AI' platform underpins this network, combining proprietary software, advanced materials science, and additive manufacturing hardware. Roboze printers are known for their patented beltless system that ensures high accuracy, allowing for the use of "super polymers" like PEEK and Carbon PA that can withstand extreme temperatures and corrosive environments, making them viable metal replacements. This capability has attracted a blue-chip client roster that includes General Electric, Airbus, and Hitachi Rail, alongside high-performance motorsports teams like Yamaha Factory Racing and the Visa Cash App RB Formula One team. This latest investment round also saw participation from notable existing shareholders. Among them are Rialto Venture Capital and Federico Faggin, the physicist credited with inventing the world's first commercial microprocessor, adding significant technical validation to the company's board and vision.
