Raven Space Systems lands Forbes 30 Under 30 honor, re-entering spotlight after funding news
December 4, 2024 | Startland News Staff
One of Kansas City’s most promising startups of the year has seen its fortunes rocket to the skies over the past three weeks, capped by a high-profile honor in the national media: a spot on the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
“Building Raven Space Systems has been a very challenging journey and I am so grateful for the support of those around me,” said Ryan Cowdrey, who founded Raven in 2020 alongside Blake Herren to pioneer 3D printing for space exploration.
“Excited for the road ahead,” Cowdrey continued, joining Herren in thanking all the advisors, mentors, coworkers, friends, and family who helped the duo through the years.
Click here to see the Raven spotlight in Forbes.
Raven was lauded in the 2025 Manufacturing and Industry category for 30 Under 30.
The company — a LaunchKC winner in 2023 and one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 — uses 3D printed, light-weight, high heat-resistance thermoset composite components that can be used for such applications as reentry capsules for on-demand space cargo return.
Tuesday’s Forbes announcement came just weeks after the headline-grabbing Kansas City startup was profiled in the national tech publication TechCrunch and its founders announced a freshly won $1.8 million U.S. defense contract.
Click here to check out the TechCrunch feature on Raven.
ICYMI: KC-built Raven Space Systems awarded $1.8M contract via Air Force’s innovation arm
Fueled by its new funding, Raven is building aerospace-grade composite 3D printing smart factories that will drastically reduce lead times to days, lower the cost of critical components, and usher in a new era of composite manufacturing for the U.S. and its allies, Herren told Startland News previously.
The startup earlier this year received a patent for its Microwave Assisted Deposition (MAD) 3D printing innovation, as well as completing a $2 million pre-seed round.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Magic Johnson, David Stern headline $5M round in ShotTracker
A sojourn to the City of Angels has taken on magical meaning for ShotTracker. The Merriam-based firm announced Wednesday that basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and former NBA Commissioner David Stern are among a group of investors that have injected $5 million into its coffers. The duo of high-profile investors will help accelerate the wearable…
Successful VideoFizz campaign supports breast cancer awareness, research
One Kansas City startup is recognizing breast cancer awareness month through a promotion to support the American Breast Cancer Foundation. This October, VideoFizz is encouraging users to create a video on their platform to let someone special know you are “pinking” of them, raising awareness and support for the foundation. Whether it’s celebrating survival, uplifting…
Events Preview: Sports Hack for Social Change
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious Kansas Citian, we recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Kansas City Women in Technology October TechTalk When: October 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: SoPro Gaming We…
Array of pro sports teams kickoff youth benefit initiative in KC
Kansas City is serving as a hub for a national sports initiative that will host a handful of professional teams hoping to help young people around the U.S. Kicking off Friday, Play for Tomorrow — the brainchild of Kauffman Fellow Pankaj Sood — will feature seven professional sports teams from North America, including the Kansas…