Defense startup Ares Industries emerges from stealth with funding led by Y Combinator
Ares Industries, a defense startup founded by a Navy combat veteran, has secured new funding led by Y Combinator to develop a new class of anti-ship cruise missiles designed to integrate seamlessly with existing launch systems. This marks the first time Y Combinator has backed a defense startup. The total amount of the funding was not disclosed.
The startup, which launched earlier this week, announced on YC’s website its goal of creating affordable cruise missiles that integrate seamlessly with current launch systems. Their objective is to deliver capabilities desired by the Department of Defense in a smaller and more cost-effective form.
“Our missiles will work with current launch systems, carry lighter payloads at high subsonic speeds, and are capable of targeting ships hundreds of miles away. Initially, we’re concentrating on ground and ship-launched models but have plans to branch into air-launched variants, as well as those with extended ranges and different payload configurations,” Ares shared.
Ares was co-founded by Devan Plantamura and Alex Tseng. Plantamura, an Army Psychological Operations and Navy combat veteran, brings extensive experience in operations and business development from well-funded defense startups. Tseng was the first engineering hire at a previous missile startup, worked on autonomous systems at Rivian and Stanford, and has experience with turbojets at CSULB.
Plantamura is a seasoned entrepreneur in the defense tech sector, with a strong focus on safety, ethics, and compliance across all products. Ares Industries is dedicated to advancing the next generation of smart munitions.
Both founders have extensive backgrounds in defense and munitions startups. Tseng’s experience includes being the first engineering hire at a missile startup, building autonomous systems at Rivian and Stanford, and working on turbojets at CSULB.
The team has already tested prototypes in the Mojave Desert and aims to deliver functional missile systems to their first clients by mid-2025.
Why is Ares Industries building low-cost anti-ship cruise missiles?
The motivation behind Ares Industries‘ mission to build affordable anti-ship cruise missiles is driven by the growing tension with China over the Taiwan Strait. A conflict in this region would differ significantly from those in Ukraine or the Middle East. Military experts agree that long-range anti-ship weapons would be crucial in such a scenario.
The United States faces a significant challenge: our current stockpiles could be depleted within weeks in a potential conflict, and our industrial capacity is insufficient to sustain a prolonged war, let alone deter one. This concern has been echoed by figures like Major General Cameron Holt and Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, Mike Gallagher.
Recent conflicts have highlighted the inadequacy of existing anti-ship cruise missiles, which are large, expensive, and unsuited for modern warfare. The U.S. can’t keep pace with China’s shipbuilding, and the current anti-ship missiles are too massive and costly to effectively counter the smaller, more numerous vessels in the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
The new funding will also allow Ares to expand its team. The startup is seeking talented aerospace engineers with experience in aerodynamics, propulsion, or GNC to bring their prototypes to market. Interested engineers passionate about making a meaningful impact in geopolitics are encouraged to reach out.
Check out the YouTube video below to dive deeper into Ares Industries.