COBALT ACADEMYBack capability, not hype.
Cobalt Academy is raising a $600,000 pre-seed to prove Ladybug in flight and launch Counter-UAS training, followed by a $3 million seed.
What the money buys.
Proposed $6M post-money valuation cap.
- Product proof$250K. Fix the Ladybug flight issue, controlled flight and recovery trials, HIVE mockup, GNAT sensor bench test.
- Core team$180K. Part-time engineering and operations support for 12 months.
- Training$60K. Launch the Counter-UAS course and grow cohorts.
- Legal and compliance$70K. ITAR and EAR counsel, insurance, IP assignments.
- Reserve$40K contingency.
- Investors getPost-money SAFE converting at the seed round, pro rata right for checks of $50K or more, quarterly updates.
Proposed $12M pre-money, $15M post-money.
- Team$1.4M. Engineering lead plus three core hires over 18 to 24 months.
- Product programs$800K. Ladybug, HIVE and GNAT to customer evaluation.
- Facility$250K. Pilot-line and test space.
- Compliance$250K. Export control program, legal and insurance.
- Customers$150K. Paid evaluations and partner development.
- Reserve$150K contingency.
- Investors getSeries Seed preferred, about 20%, 1x non-participating liquidation preference, one board seat for the lead, pro rata rights.
The fundraising roadmap.
Each round is triggered by evidence, not the calendar. Every figure beyond the pre-seed is a planning assumption.
| Stage | Ask | Proposed valuation | What it gets | What investors get | Proof before the next round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-seed | $600K | $6M post-money cap (about 10%) | Ladybug flight proof, HIVE and GNAT first builds, Counter-UAS course launch | Post-money SAFE, pro rata right, quarterly updates | Stable Ladybug flight and recovery, two paid institutional cohorts, one paid evaluation letter |
| Seed | $3M | $12M pre, $15M post (about 20%) | Core hires, three products to customer evaluation, pilot-line space | Series Seed preferred, 1x non-participating, board seat for lead | Customer-accepted test results, four or more referenceable customers, repeat training revenue |
| Series A | $12M | $48M pre, $60M post (about 20%) | Production engineering, export-control program, sales team | Series A preferred, 1x non-participating, broad-based weighted-average anti-dilution, two of five board seats | First production orders, roughly $5M annual revenue, positive unit margins |
| Series B | $35M | $140M pre, $175M post (about 20%) | Scaled manufacturing, allied expansion, program-of-record pursuit | Series B preferred, 1x non-participating, pro rata, information rights | Multi-customer production, about $25M annual revenue |
| Series C | $80M | $400M pre, $480M post (about 17%) | Multi-line production, international entities, selective acquisitions | Growth preferred, 1x non-participating, standard protective provisions | About $75M annual revenue, durable gross margins |
| Pre-IPO | $120M | $1.0B pre (about 11%) | Public-company readiness: audits, controls, reporting | Crossover preferred converting to common at IPO | Two or more years of audited financials, $150M or more in revenue |
| IPO | Market set | Set by the public market | Primary capital for long-term growth | Liquid public shares, subject to customary lock-up | None. Public company. |
About 20% dilution per priced round
Typical for venture rounds; option pool top-ups not shown.Revenue gates, not dates
A round is raised only when its proof is met. Rounds can be skipped or resized.Defense hardware comparables
Valuations are negotiating positions, not appraisals, and will be set with a lead investor.This page is for information only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Any offering will be made only through definitive documents to eligible investors. Figures are proposed planning assumptions for discussion; no valuation, return, exit or IPO is promised.
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