Varda Space Industries is a space startup focused on manufacturing specialized products in space. Varda was started by Delian Asparouhov and Trae Stephens, two principals at Founders Fund in August 2020. Will Bruey was named CEO of the company in December 2020, after serving as spacecraft operator and systems officer at SpaceX and Director of Global Equities Technology at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.
Varda takes its name from the novels of J.R.R. Tolkien, similar to other Founders Fund companies Palantir and Anduril, and is named for the Elf queen who created constellations in the books.
The startup is focused on researching and manufacturing specialized products in space, including products that are difficult to produce due to material volatility or earth's gravity. High-value and super sensitive materials like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals are examples. Varda is looking to automate the majority of their manufacturing and partner with rocket manufacturers to transport their manufacturing materials and technology, which removes the complication of sending humans to space.
Varda has received nine million USD in funding, led by Founders Fund and Lux Capital. Additional funders include Fifty Years, Also Capital, Raymond Tonsing, Justin Mateen and Naval Ravikrant.
