Hardware Testing Startup Nominal Hits $1B Valuation, Raises $155M In 10 Months

Hardware Testing Startup Nominal Hits $1B Valuation, Raises $155M In 10 Months

Hardware testing startup Nominal has just reached unicorn status — and it did so faster than almost anyone expected. The Los Angeles-based company announced an $80M Series B extension round at a $1 billion valuation, completing a remarkable run in which it raised $155 million in just 10 months. If you're watching where serious defense and industrial tech money is flowing in 2026, this is a story you need to know. How Nominal Went From Startup to Unicorn in Under a Year Nominal's funding sprint began in September of last year, when the company closed a $75M Series B round. That alone would have been a milestone worth celebrating. But the company didn't slow down — it followed that raise with a fresh $80M Series B extension, pushing its total valuation to $1 billion. The extension round was led by Founders Fund, with participation from Sequoia, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, Red Glass, and Lightspeed. What makes that list of backers so striking isn't just the names — it…