Stellios Technologies has emerged from stealth with an oversubscribed $5 million pre-seed round to develop high-power microwave, directed-energy, compact-fusion, and advanced propulsion technologies. The financing included participation from Sofreh Capital, Wave Function Ventures, Cubit Capital, Mana Ventures, Atoms & Bits, Output Capital, Erik Bruckner, and other strategic investors.
Stellios said it secured $2 million in signed customer purchase orders before raising outside capital and closed the round above its initial target within weeks.
The company plans to use the funding to deliver its initial contracted high-power microwave systems, establish domestic R&D and pilot manufacturing facilities, expand engineering and leadership hiring, support government customer programs, and advance Stellios Genesis, its AI-native engineering and digital-twin platform.
Founded in 2026 by Dr. Richard Starson, Stellios is developing vacuum-electronic devices, high-voltage power generation systems, controls, and other core hardware required for high-power microwave systems. Starson previously co-founded Escape Dynamics, where members of the Stellios team designed and operated a 100-kW-class gyrotron.
The company’s first commercial focus is megawatt-class high-power microwave systems for defense and industrial markets. Defense applications include counter-electronics and counter-drone missions, while potential industrial applications include geothermal drilling, advanced materials processing, and plasma heating for fusion research.
Stellios is also pursuing compact aneutronic fusion using technology derived from its high-power microwave work. Its longer-term goals include systems capable of supporting remote military and industrial sites and potentially enabling advanced propulsion.
KEY QUOTES:
“Stellios is on a mission to ensure that the United States dominates the next generation of high-energy power systems. The ability to generate, deliver, and harness extreme levels of power will be critical to American technological and military leadership in the 21st century. From counter-drone defense and directed energy to advanced propulsion, compact fusion, and grid-scale power, the future will belong to nations that lead in power systems. Now is the time to rebuild that capability in America, addressing urgent defense needs today while laying the foundation for compact fusion and entirely new propulsion systems for supersonic, hypersonic, and space flight.”
Dr. Richard Starson, Founder And CEO Of Stellios Technologies
“At Cubit Capital, we look for founders with firsthand knowledge of a critical problem, the technical experience to address it, and early customer traction. Stellios brings all three. With signed customer purchase orders, ongoing defense customer discussions, and plans for US-based manufacturing, the company is building a commercially grounded business with the potential to strengthen American and allied defenses and lay the foundation for compact fusion power and advanced propulsion.”
Philip Carson, Partner At Cubit Capital
“The United States pioneered high-power microwave technology, and we must lead its next generation. Rebuilding this capability in America is critical to national security and industrial leadership. Stellios is combining advanced vacuum electronics, modern power systems, controls, and manufacturing to advance HPM today while laying the foundation for compact fusion power and fusion-powered propulsion.”
Dr. Edl Schamiloglu, Distinguished Professor Of Electrical And Computer Engineering At The University Of New Mexico And Advisor To Stellios
