Profile: Cambridge Aerospace
Defence Tech startup based in Cambridge, UK
Founded : September 2024
Location : Cambridge, UK (HQ), Norfolk, UK (production)
Funding : ~$136M across three funding rounds with a $400M valuation in July 2025
Investors : Never Lift, Accel, Lakestar, Lux Capital, Exor, D3, 7percent Ventures, Expeditions Fund, Will Wells
Founders :
Steven Barrett (CEO) - 14 years MIT Aeronautics Professor, currently Regius Professor of Engineering at University of Cambridge
Chris Sylvan (Chief Commercial Officer) - Anduril’s former director of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Grant Shapps (Chairman) - former UK Secretary of State for Defence
Junaid Hussain - Chair & Founder of Auctor (privately held holding company)
Products : Interceptor missiles
Skyhammer : A “high subsonic interceptor” designed to take down moderate-speed threats like Shahed drones, according to Barrett. Skyhammer flies at Mach 0.7 and has a range of about 30 km, and should cost in the “tens of thousands” of dollars.
Starhammer : A high-speed rocket-powered interceptor designed to take down more “high-speed, high-value threats” like cruise missiles, according to Barrett. Starhammer flies at Mach 2 and has a range of about 10 km.
Nightstar : An SRM (solid rocket motor) that can be used on Cambridge Aerospace’s own Starhammer missiles, but can also be sold for use in other platforms.
Company Size : ~60 people
Currently Hiring : FPGA Engineers and Embedded Software Engineers
Current Directors :
Steven Barrett (CEO)
Christopher Anthony Sylvan
Junaid Aaset Hussain
Klaus Hommels - Chairman of Lakestar
Harry Willem Nelis - Partner at Accel
Tess Van Stekelenburg - Partner at Lux Capital
Additional Reading :