UK-based manufacturing software startup CloudNC announced a $20 million Series B extension round on Wednesday, bringing its total lifetime funding to $128 million. The company's last major raise occurred four years ago, according to co-founder and CEO Theo Saville in an interview with TechCrunch.
CloudNC was founded in 2015 by Saville and Chris Emery, now the company's chief science officer. The startup offers AI-powered CAM Assist software that automates parts of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining—a process that uses computer-controlled machines to precisely cut or shape materials into components for industries like automotive, defense, and consumer hardware.
The Challenge: Manual CAM Programming
Before a part can be machined, a machinist or a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmer must make critical decisions about how the part should be held, which tools to use, and the optimal cutting strategy, explained Saville.
While traditional CAM software is powerful, it often requires programmers to manually specify machining parameters. "Traditional CAM systems are powerful, but in most workflows, they are still tools that allow programmers to manually specify how a part should be machined," Saville said.
The Solution: CAM Assist
CloudNC's CAM Assist plugs into existing CAM systems, such as Autodesk Fusion or Mastercam, to help machinists and programmers make more strategic and efficient manufacturing decisions. "It selects suitable tools, approach directions, and cutting feeds and speeds, and then drafts the code required to tell the CNC machine what to do," Saville said.
The software aims to automate the first-pass thinking and repetitive setup, allowing users to review, edit, and approve the generated approach. Saville emphasized that the goal is to augment skilled workers rather than replace them: "If traditional CAM is a powerful toolkit, then CAM Assist is more like an expert assistant sitting alongside the programmer, automating much of the first-pass thinking and repetitive setup so the human can review, improve, and approve the approach."
Market Traction and Future Outlook
According to Saville, more than 1,000 machine shops worldwide currently use CAM Assist, with 80% of the company's customer base consisting of both manufacturers and companies across various sectors.
This new funding round arrives as the manufacturing industry increasingly turns to AI-driven automation to address labor shortages and productivity pressures—a trend that has accelerated into 2026, with AI-powered CAM tools becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness.
CloudNC plans to use the capital to expand its AI capabilities, enhance integrations with major CAM platforms, and scale its global sales and marketing efforts.
via TechCrunch