Intuitive Machines

Advanced Navigation raises $158 million Series C round with NRFC backing

Navigation technology firm Advanced Navigation has banked a $158 million Series C, with Airtree leading and Quadrant plus the NRFC taking part, funding global expansion and Australian manufacturing scale-up.

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Towards 3% R&D – Reach for the Moon to innovate by Xavier Orr

Opinion piece by Advanced Navigation's CEO in an @AuManufacturing series arguing for space R&D investment, citing the company's $5.2 million Australian Space Agency grant and Space Machines' satellite launch.

Moon-bound manufacturer says prestige projects help remedy skills shortages

Podcast interview in which Advanced Navigation co-founder Xavier Orr discusses the company's new Botany factory, lunar landing sensors, a reported billion-dollar Series B valuation, and hiring in a tight skills market.

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Manufacturing briefs roundup: WA government commits $5m to space facility Fugro SpAARC; Starpharma and Micro-X receive R&D tax refunds; Bulla licenses Violet Crumble for ice cream; SCEE wins $50m in contracts.

AROSE and EPE to design lunar rovers following grant awards

Two Australian consortia, AROSE and one involving EPE and Lunar Outpost Oceania, each received a four million dollar grant under the Space Agency's Trailblazer programme to design lunar rover prototypes.

KKR backs Aussie robotics company in blockbuster $108m raise

US giant KKR joined navigation-technology maker Advanced Navigation's $108 million Series B, alongside returning local backers; the company also bought ANU spin-out Vai Photonics, and two KKR staff will join its board.

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