Radian Forge's $2.5M Funding Boosts Maritime Manufacturing

Radian Forge Secures $2.5M to Scale Large-Format WAAM for U.S. Maritime and Defense Sectors \\[Radian Forge](https://radianforge.com/), a Virginia-based manufacturer of large metal components using wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), has successfully closed a $2.5 million Series Seed Preferred round. This funding, led by Veteran Ventures Capital (VVC) through its Fund II, will be used to scale up large-format WAAM production, primarily targeting the U.S. naval, maritime, and defense industrial base. The investment comes at a time when the United States is pushing to expand its shipbuilding and repair capacity, aiming to alleviate production bottlenecks in the maritime supply chain. \\[Joshua Weed](https://veteranventurescapital.com/team/joshua-weed/), General Partner at VVC, will join Radian Forge’s Board of Directors. The company, located near major naval shipbuilding and repair facilities in Portsmouth, Virginia, uses large-format WAAM to produce precision-grade metal components. This process, which involves a robot-guided welding arc melting metal wire and building parts layer by layer, is particularly suited for large components that would otherwise be cast or forged. According to Radian Forge, their WAAM parts have material properties between those of castings and forgings, reducing production lead times by 40% to 80%. Each WAAM robot requires only one operator, making it an efficient solution for the maritime sector, where replacement parts can take months to source through traditional foundries and forges. \\### Implications for ASEAN Factories \\[The success of Radian Forge and the growing interest in large-format WAAM have significant implications for factories in Southeast Asia. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are increasingly looking to modernize their manufacturing capabilities, especially in the maritime and defense sectors. The adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies such as WAAM can help these countries reduce production lead times, improve part quality, and enhance overall efficiency. For example, Thai shipyards could benefit from on-demand production of critical components, reducing downtime and improving operational readiness. Similarly, Vietnamese and Indonesian manufacturers could leverage WAAM to produce large, precision-grade metal parts for various applications, including shipbuilding and repair. \\### State Support and Future Prospects \\[Radian Forge’s expansion is also supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which approved a $265,000 Opportunity Fund grant to support the company’s $10.5 million investment in expanding its Portsmouth operations. This state backing, combined with the private investment, positions Radian Forge to add significant WAAM capacity in one of the country’s main naval shipbuilding and repair hubs. The success of this model could inspire similar initiatives in ASEAN, where government and private sector collaboration can drive the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. \\### Conclusion \\[For factory buyers in ASEAN, the lessons from Radian Forge’s success are clear: investing in advanced manufacturing technologies like WAAM can significantly enhance production capabilities, reduce lead times, and improve overall efficiency. As the region continues to modernize its manufacturing base, adopting these technologies will be crucial for staying competitive and meeting the demands of the maritime and defense sectors. \\[Register now for AMA: Software 2026. Join 3D Printing Industry on 22 October for expert presentations, panel discussions, and live audience Q&A exploring the software shaping additive manufacturing. [Register here.](https://www.3dprintingindustry.com/events/ama-software-2026/) To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/3d-printing-industry).]