Public company, workplace, funding, and market signals
Wardstone is a YC-backed space defense startup building a space-based interceptor constellation for the U.S. and allies, with an initial product called Hailstorm that uses high-speed buckshot clouds to kinetically counter hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
Primary product
Hailstorm — a space-based interceptor concept that deploys high-speed buckshot clouds to kinetically destroy hypersonic missiles.
Founded
2025
Headquarters
El Segundo, California, United States
Team size
1-10
Work style
Onsite
Industry
Defense and Space Manufacturing
Sub-industry
Space defense / missile defense
Offices
0 jobs at Wardstone
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Business model
Stage
Seed
Total raised
$5.5M
Latest round
Seed · Feb 2026
Latest amount
$5M
Feb 2026 · Nova Threshold
Sep 2025 · Y Combinator
Investors
Small elite engineering team, mission-driven and national-security focused, with a strong emphasis on rapid iteration, hardware testing, and high ownership.
Work style
Onsite
Visa sponsorship
Limited
Compensation
Public job posts show roughly $100k-$160k base salary bands for several engineering roles, $120k-$180k for GNC and simulation roles, 0.25%-0.75% equity on some postings, and $6k-$10k/month internship compensation.
Benefits
Pricing
Government defense contracting, including SBIR/IRAD-funded development and future program-of-record sales.
Differentiators
Technology
Customers
Competitors