Will Bruey (Varda Space Industries)
Overview
Will Bruey is a notable entrepreneur in the field of space technology and the co-founder and CEO of Varda Space Industries, a company recognized for its pioneering efforts in manufacturing pharmaceuticals in microgravity. Established in 2020, Varda Space Industries operates with the ambitious goal of industrializing space-based production processes to create novel drug formulations that are not feasible on Earth due to gravitational constraints. Will Bruey, alongside Delian Asparouhov, founded the company aiming to revolutionize the aerospace industry by introducing commercial manufacturing capabilities in space, specifically focused on crystallization processes that leverage microgravity.
Recent Developments
- July 2025: Varda Space Industries announced a successful raise of $187 million in a Series C funding round, led by Natural Capital and Shrug Capital, increasing the total capital raised to $329 million. The funding aims to accelerate the development of their pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in space and increase the frequency of orbital missions.
- February 2025: Varda successfully landed the W-2 reentry capsule in Australia, marking a milestone for commercial space reentry and expanding their capability in manufacturing pharmaceuticals in microgravity.
- January 2025: The company’s capsule, W-2, launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission, continuing their collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and NASA for hypersonic and pharmaceutical research.
- June 2024: Varda completed a Series B funding round, securing $90 million to further their development in space manufacturing technology.
- 2024: Varda’s series of successful space missions demonstrated their capability to synthesize drugs like ritonavir in space, showing no signs of conversion upon return to Earth and affirming their potential in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Will Bruey |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | CEO and Co-founder of Varda Space Industries |
| Known For | Space manufacturing technologies and pharmaceutical innovations in microgravity |
| Education | Details not publicly available |
Early Life and Education
Details regarding Will Bruey's early life and academic background are sparse. However, his professional journey prior to Varda Space Industries includes pivotal roles in space technology companies, setting a precedent for his innovative pursuits in space manufacturing. His trajectory into aerospace and entrepreneurship suggests a robust background in engineering and technology, although specific details on his education remain undisclosed.
Career and Notable Achievements
Will Bruey’s career is marked by notable achievements in the space tech industry. As a co-founder of Varda Space Industries, he has spearheaded efforts to utilize microgravity for the development of pharmaceuticals, setting a new frontier in space manufacturing. Key milestones in his career include:
- Founding Varda Space Industries in 2020, aiming to commercialize space-based processes.
- Successfully conducting orbital missions that manufacture pharmaceuticals aboard satellite modules, such as the W-Series capsules.
- Establishing partnerships with key investors like Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund to secure significant funding for the company’s ambitious projects.
- Completing multiple funding rounds, consolidating Varda's financial positioning to advance their technological capabilities.
Current Work and Impact
Will Bruey continues to lead Varda Space Industries, focusing on scaling the company’s mission to efficiently manufacture pharmaceuticals in space. His work is pivotal in establishing a commercial foothold for space-based manufacturing, potentially transforming how pharmaceuticals are developed and opening a new modality for creating novel drug formulations. By advancing technology to operate autonomously in microgravity, Bruey and Varda Space Industries are contributing to the broader agenda of expanding economic activities into space.
Varda Space Valuation
Varda Space Industries, under the leadership of Will Bruey, has achieved a notable valuation, driven by successful funding rounds and strategic investments. As of 2024, the company is valued at $500 million, reflecting robust investor confidence in its innovative approach to space manufacturing and its potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by harnessing the benefits of microgravity.
Varda Space Funding
Varda Space Industries has attracted substantial venture capital support since its inception. The company has successfully raised $329 million in capital to date, with key funding rounds including a Series B of $90 million and a Series C of $187 million. These funds are designated to expand the frequency and capability of their space missions and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Varda Space Industries Address
The operational headquarters of Varda Space Industries are located in El Segundo, California. The company has also expanded its facilities to include a newly established laboratory in El Segundo, enhancing its capacity for research and development.
Conclusion
Will Bruey's leadership and vision at the helm of Varda Space Industries underscore a significant advancement in the application of space technology to pharmaceutical manufacturing. By harnessing the unique conditions of microgravity, Bruey is setting a precedent for innovative space-based manufacturing solutions that promise transformative impacts on drug development. As Varda Space Industries continues to execute its strategic objectives, the potential for growth and substantial contributions to both the aerospace and pharmaceutical industries remain substantial.