Trive Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm known for building high-performance industrial platforms, has officially unveiled Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a newly formed company focused on delivering advanced materials solutions to some of the most demanding defense and commercial applications in the world. The launch of Canopy A&D represents a strategic consolidation of capabilities, bringing together two highly respected manufacturers—Hera Technologies Inc. and MSM Industries Inc.—alongside a newly established research and development hub, Canopy Aerospace Inc.
The formation of Canopy A&D is more than a merger of assets; it’s a deliberate response to the growing complexity and performance demands of modern aerospace and defense systems. From stealth aircraft and reusable space vehicles to next-generation submarines and satellites, today’s platforms require materials that do more than withstand extreme conditions—they must actively enhance performance. Canopy A&D’s portfolio of insulative, absorptive, and signal-reducing materials is engineered to help these platforms operate faster, cooler, and quieter, whether submerged in the ocean, flying through the atmosphere, or orbiting in space.
What sets Canopy A&D apart is its vertically integrated structure. By combining Hera’s precision manufacturing and MSM’s specialized fabrication capabilities with the innovation engine of Canopy Aerospace Inc., the company can support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from concept to completion. This includes early-stage design collaboration, advanced material engineering, full-scale production, and even refurbishment services for reusable systems. The result is a seamless, end-to-end solution that reduces development timelines, improves system reliability, and ensures mission readiness.
Canopy A&D operates across five strategically located facilities in key aerospace and defense markets, including Los Angeles, Denver, and Cape Canaveral. These sites are equipped with classified capabilities, proprietary technologies, and a robust set of OEM approvals, positioning the company as a trusted supplier on critical programs. Its materials are already embedded in some of the most iconic platforms in operation today, and its sole-source positions on select systems underscore the depth of its technical expertise and the confidence of its partners.
To lead this new venture, Trive Capital has appointed Dr. Marco Villa as Chief Executive Officer. With a career spanning commercial spaceflight, defense innovation, and advanced systems engineering, Dr. Villa brings both technical acumen and strategic vision to the role. His leadership is expected to guide Canopy A&D through its next phase of growth, as the company expands its capabilities, deepens its customer relationships, and continues to push the boundaries of what advanced materials can achieve.
KEY QUOTES:
“I am excited to work collaboratively with the founders and employees at Hera, MSM, Canopy, and Trive to execute on our collective vision to solve a glaring gap in the A&D supply chain. At its core, Canopy is committed to systems thinking and forward innovation—not just one-off products, but integrated solutions that embed directly into customer missions. By partnering with Canopy for their advanced materials’ needs, our customers are freeing up valuable resources to focus on their core differentiating technologies.”
Dr. Marco Villa
“Hera and MSM are two incredible manufacturers of signature-reducing advanced materials that insulate some of the world’s most iconic platforms. The consumable nature of these materials created the opportunity for both companies to deeply integrate with their customers via refurbishment services throughout the lives of these reusable rockets, space vehicles, submarines, and more. The addition of Canopy Technologies’ extensive engineering team is responsive to customers’ requests for more front-end design and engineering services, and we are eager to meet that need to create a faster path from concept to fielded capability.”
Tanner Cope, Partner at Trive Capital
