Startup · United States
HQ El Segundo, United StatesFounded 2025
El Segundo interceptor startup (Y Combinator Fall 2025) that set out to build space-based interceptor satellites and in 2026 shifted toward a modular, low-cost surface-based interceptor.
Wardstone's interceptor product line: first described as a space-based interceptor that releases high-speed buckshot clouds against hypersonic missiles, later as a mass-producible modular interceptor including a ground-launched variant.
Newest unveiled first. Open a product for its milestone timeline, components and sources.
| Technology | Role | Maturity | TRL | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular low-cost interceptors | Developer | Development | — | — | Reported |
| Space-based kinetic interceptors | Developer | Development | — | Original focus; company shifted toward surface-based interceptors in 2026. | Reported |
Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.
| Announced | Stage | Amount | Valuation | Lead investors | Other investors | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2026 | Seed | $5.0M | — | — | — | Reported |
Totals add known amounts using recorded USD conversions where available; other currencies are shown separately. A ~ marks an estimated amount.
| Program | Role | Program status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| xTech|Apex Intercept | Competing bidder | Competition | Reported |
| Input | Relation | Criticality | Capacity | Global share | Facility | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid rocket motors | Develops | Critical | — | — | — | Reported |
| Facility | Kind | Location | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardstone El Segundo office | Headquarters | El Segundo, California, United States | Operating | Reported |
Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer ↗
Los Angeles, CA · Full-time · Engineering
Availability unverified · Bright Data / LinkedIn
Observed Oct 5, 2026
Los Angeles, CA · Full-time · Engineering
Availability unverified · Bright Data / LinkedIn
Observed Oct 5, 2026
Propulsion & High Energy Systems Engineer ↗
Los Angeles, CA · Full-time · Engineering
Availability unverified · Bright Data / LinkedIn
Observed Oct 5, 2026
Sensing & Perception Engineer ↗
Los Angeles, CA · Full-time · Engineering
Availability unverified · Bright Data / LinkedIn
Observed Oct 5, 2026
Simulation and Modeling Engineer ↗
Los Angeles, CA · Full-time · Engineering
Availability unverified · Bright Data / LinkedIn
Observed Oct 5, 2026
A sample of observed listings, not a total vacancy count. Availability may have changed since collection. Categories are inferred from job titles.
Employee-profile counts reflect LinkedIn profiles associated with the company, not verified headcount. One observation establishes a baseline; it does not establish growth.
Black Flag · Supports Organization
“Wardstone is building a satellite constellation with space-based interceptors to detect, track, and destroy ballistic and hypersonic missiles globally.”
Linkedin via Bright Data · Supports Organization · logo
“{"logo": "https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D560BAQH7FS2uhHgw-g/company-logo_200_200/B56aBFD.HTK0AE-/0/1787865064153/wardstone_logo?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=EVCeQ8O5HqAxmG2TOe2UiDngNeQeXJFmkzRQTmWbDE0"}”
Wardstone · Supports Organization, Organization input, Organization technology, System, System · system input:solid-rocket-motors
“we've pivoted towards rapidly commercializing our surface based interceptor.”
Y Combinator · Supports Organization, Organization technology, Role, System
“Wardstone builds a low-cost, modular interceptor platform for air and missile defense.”
SpaceNews · Feb 13, 2026 · Supports Facility, Funding round · amount, Organization · hq city
“Following participation in Y Combinator in fall 2025, Wardstone is setting up operations in El Segundo, California”
Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.