We're thrilled to spotlight the incredible momentum from Charter Space, which just made it to the finals of the prestigious Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025! Out of 200 startups, Charter landed 3rd place after pitching their vision for a new generation of space finance on the main stage.​

Today, fewer than 3% of the 14,000+ satellites in orbit are insured, locking out access to efficient capital like debt and credit. Charter’s platform solves this by capturing real-time engineering and manufacturing data to create a "living picture of spacecraft risk." This allows insurers to underwrite policies faster, cheaper, and with far more confidence.​​

During Disrupt, the company also announced the acquisition of Plover Parametrics, a YC-backed insurtech company, a strategic move that will allow Charter to broker and place policies directly and accelerate its mission.

By building the financial infrastructure for the space economy, Charter is creating the safety net that allows more ventures to take flight. We couldn't be prouder to be on this journey with them as they redefine what's possible. 

They’ve just kicked off their Series A and have a ridiculous line-up of traction (that we can only speak about off-line).

Contact us for an introduction & learn more: https://www.charter.space

Actuate portfolio company Ultraview is gaining significant traction on their mission to bring physical-AI to aerospace and defense inspections with their proprietary AI models, software, & AI-powered drones.

Ultraview was recently selected as a showcase company for Venture Atlanta 2024, chosen from a record-breaking 630 applicants – placing them amongst the most promising technology startups in the Southeast. (Venture Atlanta has helped launch 843 companies and raise $7.7 billion in funding to date, spinning out $17 billion in successful exits.)

Ultraview is solving a critical industry pain point: slow, manual, and often hazardous aircraft inspections. By leveraging proprietary AI models, their autonomous drones can operate in GPS-denied environments, such as hangars and tarmacs.

Ultraview’s drone captures high-fidelity damage data that replaces traditional pen-and-paper methods. This digital-first approach not only increases human safety and efficiency but also creates rich datasets on aircraft health. By layering this information with external data, Ultraview can develop predictive maintenance models that reduce aircraft downtime and enhance operational readiness.​

They have since been selected as an official vendor for Boeing, entered into a paid pilot with Southwest Airlines & on track to securing a high-value contract, and have additional pilots and contracts lined up and in negotiation with the military and additional commercial clients.

With an all-star team, a strong board, and clear product-market fit, Ultraview is well-positioned to become the leader in robotic-enabled MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations).

Ultraview has started their Seed round recently, contact us for an introduction.

Learn more: https://www.ultraview.io

Our portfolio company TriMagnetix is tackling one of the most significant current challenges in deep-tech: the unsustainable energy consumption of modern computing.

The Seattle-based startup is developing a new class of processors powered by nano-magnetic technology that merges memory and logic into a single, ultra-efficient unit. This architecture operates with nanosecond electrical pulses rather than the constant power stream required by traditional chips, dramatically reducing electricity use and heat generation.

TriMagnetix has continued to make leaps and bounds in their initial development. Shooting past their POC targets by 4x. We are excepting they blow past their 6 month milestone targets and race towards a first commercial product in short order, locking in more exciting clients and partnerships along the way.

StarCloud officially partners with TriMagnetix for their nanomagnetic chips to explore how this technology can unlock more energy efficient power and processing for satellite and datacenter systems.

Learn more: https://trimagnetix.com
Contact us for a direct introduction.

Wave Motion is pioneering a radical new launch technology with its "jet gun," which made a strong impression during Seattle Space Week. The company is developing a system that uses a controlled blast of gas and particles to propel a projectile to hypersonic speeds without a traditional barrel. This unique approach allows the launcher to be significantly more compact and lighter than conventional cannons or rockets of equivalent power.​

At an event hosted by the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, Wave Motion showcased a prototype of its launcher, which looks more like a high-tech pressure chamber than a weapon. The system is designed to be highly versatile, capable of launching projectiles of various sizes. While the company is exploring applications from industrial drilling to space launch, its most immediate traction has come from the defense sector.​

Wave Motion has secured nearly $3 million in development contracts from the U.S. Army and the Office of Naval Research to adapt its technology for tactical indirect fire roles, essentially creating a next-generation mortar system. By eliminating the heavy barrel, the jet gun can achieve higher velocities and longer ranges while reducing system weight. A critical advantage for both infantry and vehicle-mounted applications.

With successful tests under its belt and growing interest from defense partners, Wave Motion is proving that its novel physics can solve real-world problems.

Learn more: https://wmlaunch.space

Contact our team at Actuate Ventures for official investment advisory, exclusive deal flow, market insights, and world-class venture building support from us, and our network of experts and repository of resources. Email us at: [email protected] and read more about it on our site.

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"Insights from the Cutting Edge" is published by Actuate Ventures. Visit actuateventures.co to learn more.

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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