Hestus Raises $7.4M Seed

Hestus, a San Mateo-based startup developing AI tools for mechanical engineering, has raised $7.4 million in a seed round, bringing its total funding to $8.9 million. The company provides an AI-powered assistant that integrates with computer-aided design (CAD) software to automate repetitive tasks and help engineers convert design intent into manufacturable models.

Investors

The round was led by Insight Partners, with participation from Chalfen Ventures, Rock Yard Ventures, and Garage Capital.

Hestus Use of Funds

Hestus plans to use the new capital to expand its engineering team, specifically hiring machine learning engineers and software developers. The funding will also support the advancement of its AI model and accelerate the company’s product development roadmap.

About Hestus

Hestus was founded by Sohrab Haghighat and Kevin Chu, who previously worked together at Cruise Automation. The company focuses on creating Mechanical Intelligence that captures the judgment required for manufacturing. Its primary product is an autocomplete-style assistant designed to assist engineers within CAD environments like Autodesk Fusion by proposing geometry changes and streamlining workflow interactions.

Funding Details

Company Website: https://hestus.com

Company: Hestus
Raised: $7.4M
Round: Seed
Funding Date: October 2, 2026
Lead Investor: Insight Partners
Additional Investors: Chalfen Ventures, Rock Yard Ventures, Garage Capital
Company Website: https://hestus.com
Software Category: Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical Engineering Software
Source: https://www.unite.ai/hestus-raises-7-4-million-seed-to-bring-ai-into-mechanical-engineering/