Uptool, a San Mateo, CA-based developer of an AI platform designed to accelerate manufacturing productivity, has announced the raise of a $6 million in a Seed funding round led by Khosla Ventures, Eclipse, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Kleiner Perkins.
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The company plans to use the funds to grow its team and scale its AI systems to help digitize operations for small and mid-sized manufacturers.
Uptool is an AI manufacturing software startup focused on improving the speed and productivity of U.S. manufacturers. The company applies AI to the workflows that slow teams down and create bottlenecks. Its AI quoting software can be set up in about an hour with no upfront cost and helps reduce quoting time from hours to minutes, allowing manufacturers to win more business and boost productivity.
“Built-in dashboards track quote status, revisions, and customer communications. The AI automatically pulls and organizes emails, CAD files, engineering drawings, and bills of materials from across a shop’s inbox. The software also includes dozens of material and operations calculators to create accurate, flexible estimates that match each shop’s workflow.”
“Benny Buller, co-founder and CEO of Uptool, said recent advances in AI have made it possible to redesign software for the many U.S. manufacturers that traditional enterprise tools don’t serve well. He said Uptool is building an AI platform to modernize its operations and grow its business. Buller added that early customers have already increased sales and spend less time at their desks, allowing them to focus more on customers and production.”
Small and mid-sized businesses make up 98% of the manufacturing industry, and their ability to quickly deliver high-quality parts affects the entire supply chain. However, their fast-moving, varied operations have made it difficult to develop software that meets their needs, leaving many behind in the digital transformation. As a result, many shops operate below their full production capacity, with owners spending too much time on paperwork and manual tasks.
“Nathan Dillon, general manager and owner of VelocityCNC, said he used to spend hours
each day creating quotes, which was unpaid time. He said Uptool helped him reduce quoting time by 10 times in 2025, leading to his highest sales year ever—more than double the previous year.”
With nearly 50 years of combined experience in manufacturing and technology at companies like Velo3D, Applied Materials, and Carbon, Uptool founders Benny Buller and Alex Huckstepp have worked closely with manufacturers and seen the challenges that limit production. These include slow response times, resource bottlenecks, underused equipment, and a shortage of skilled workers. They founded Uptool to help small and mid-sized manufacturers improve speed and productivity across their operations.
“Charly Mwangi, partner at Eclipse, said nearly 98% of U.S. manufacturing companies are small and mid-sized businesses, employing more than 40% of the industrial workforce. However, their production capacity is spread out and often hard to track. He said Uptool helps digitise these manufacturers, improving speed and transparency in the supply chain, which is essential for scaling U.S. reindustrialisation.”
About Uptool
Founded in 2024 in San Mateo, California, Uptool is an AI software startup led by CEO Benny Buller and co-founder Alex Huckstepp. The company’s mission is to speed up U.S. manufacturing and boost productivity. Uptool’s AI quoting software helps small, high-mix manufacturers, like machine and fabrication shops, overcome operational bottlenecks so they can meet global hardware demands. The company has raised $6M in seed funding from top industrial tech and AI investors, including Khosla Ventures, Eclipse, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Kleiner Perkins.”
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