Company research
Public company, workplace, funding, and market signals
Overview
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
El Segundo, California, United States
Los Angeles, California, United States
Business model
B2G
defense hardware
government contracting
SBIR/IRAD-funded R&D
Funding
Stage
Seed
Total raised
$5.5M
Latest round
Seed · Feb 2026
Latest amount
$5M
Feb 2026 · Nova Threshold
Sep 2025 · Y Combinator
People & investors
Work & culture
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
equity
competitive salary
internship stipends
Product & market
Pricing
Government defense contracting, including SBIR/IRAD-funded development and future program-of-record sales.
Differentiators
- —Space-based interceptor approach rather than ground-based missile defense
- —Hailstorm’s kinetic buckshot concept
- —Aiming for much lower cost-per-kill than traditional defense primes
- —Direct engagement with Department of War agencies and defense programs
- —Small, fast-moving engineering team with rapid iteration
- —Prototype testing path using suborbital sounding rockets
Technology
space-based interceptors
infrared computer vision
guidance, navigation, and controls
sensing and perception
propulsion and high-energy systems
simulation and modeling
high-pressure air cannon prototype testing
supersonic sounding-rocket test flights
Customers
U.S. Space Force
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
Air Force Research Labs
AFWERX
Space Systems Command Commercialization Office
Space Safari
U.S. Navy Joint Special Operations Command
Competitors
Lockheed Martin
Raytheon
Northrop Grumman
Scale & contact
Jobs and careers at Wardstone
0 jobs at Wardstone
No open positions
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