"Defense-as-a-Service" Startup, Tiberius Aerospace, Raises $4.5 Million
Tiberius Aerospace, a defense-as-a-service organization, which emerged from stealth mode in May 2025, announced the successful completion of a $4.5 million founders’ round, with investment provided by Never Lift Ventures, Blacklake, firedrop VC, Beaten Zone Ventures, and other strategic partners.
The company also recently revealed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence, valued at approximately $5 million, with the purpose of advancing its 155mm ballistic munition, Sceptre. Independent validation testing for this technology will be conducted by the US Defense Innovation Unit.
The newly secured financing is intended to expedite product development, expand engineering and manufacturing capabilities, enhance collaborations with allied governments, and support the commercial introduction of GRAIL, an artificial intelligence-driven platform developed for the design, manufacture, and evaluation of weapons systems. CEO Chad Steelberg commented that Tiberius is dedicated to redefining processes associated with weapons system procurement and innovation over time.
Established in 2022 by Steelberg, Andy Baynes (CSO), Michael Martin (COO), and Tim Conners (Chief Engineer), Tiberius leverages significant expertise from major technology organizations; Baynes previously held senior roles at Apple and Google, and Steelberg also worked at Google and founded Veritone. The company’s mission addresses prominent defense industry issues identified during recent conflicts, including munitions shortages and bottlenecks in production. Tiberius distinguishes between research and development and manufacturing activities, using its AI-powered GRAIL platform to facilitate more efficient and cost-effective system design and production for government and manufacturing clients.
Tiberius engineers long-range, precision-guided munitions, such as Sceptre, with an emphasis on modularity and upgradeability to sustain operational relevance. The company licenses its proprietary technologies to governmental bodies and defense companies, enabling purchase of intellectual property rights for platforms like Sceptre, with separate pricing structures for manufacturing and subsequent upgrades.
GRAIL serves as a marketplace where companies and governments may certify and list components or defense systems. Tiberius assesses these products, assigns lethality ratings, and publicly shares specifications and pricing, seeking to encourage competitive manufacturing and drive innovation while potentially reducing total ownership and operating costs.
Initially, the company focused its efforts in Europe, benefitting from robust engagement with the UK and NATO nations during the Ukraine conflict. The latest funding will support expansion of Sceptre manufacturing and the launch of Invictus, a larger rocket system anticipated for release next year. While conversations are underway with United States military entities regarding future collaboration, no contracts have been formalized to date.