Raven Space Systems Wins $1 Million Prize in Horizon Manufacturing Cup
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Oct. 22, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Raven Space Systems emerged as the grand prize winner of the inaugural Horizon Manufacturing Cup, securing a $1 million prize. The competition, held at Indiana University's Bloomington campus, awarded a total of $3 million in non-dilutive funding to five manufacturing and hardware startups. The winning companies, selected from over 70 applicants, pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of judges from the defense and industrial sectors.
Raven Space Systems, a company focused on building automated production systems for critical composite structures and thermal protection, took home the top prize. Other winners included Hybron, which develops proprietary manufacturing technology for lightweight, high-strength composite components; Supernova, leveraging advanced 3D printing to process highly viscous and energetic materials; Standard Bots, an American robotics company automating dangerous tasks in the Defense Industrial Base; and Glīd, which constructs dual-mode road-to-rail systems to enhance logistics.
The competition, which drew more than 70 applications, culminated in a fast-paced series of pitches from 12 selected startups. The winners will join SPINNER North America, Limitless Aeronautics, iRocket, and Prometheus Energetics as tenants of ACMI's National Security Industrial Hub and Munitions Campus, a 1,500-plus acre manufacturing ecosystem adjacent to Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane and Crane Army Ammunition Activity in southern Indiana. These companies gain access to world-class prototyping equipment, industrial infrastructure, technical resources, supply chains, scaling space, and talent networks provided by ACMI Federal.
Ken Rothaermel, CEO of ACMI Federal, emphasized the importance of the competition.
Blake Herren, CEO of Raven Space Systems, expressed gratitude for the award.
ACMI launched the Horizon Manufacturing Cup in August 2026 to rapidly identify and scale critical hardware, advanced materials, and manufacturing technologies, supporting companies transitioning prototypes into production and strengthening the defense manufacturing supply chain and the munitions industrial base. The inaugural competition's significant response underscores the strong drive among emerging businesses to enter or expand their presence in the Defense Industrial Base and contribute to national security.