LA Hard Tech Spotlight: Epsilon3
LA Hard Tech Spotlight: Epsilon3
Software for hardware engineering and operations
A wave of new hardware companies has surfaced the need for modern software tools that the next generation of engineers can use to organize and manage their workflows. We’ve discussed this before here. Today, we highlight the LA-based company Epsilon3, one of the most promising new companies building these tools.
Introducing Epsilon3
CEO & Key People: Laura Crabtree, Max Mednik
Founded: 2021
Los Angeles, CA
Developer of a software suite for complex engineering, testing, and operations.
Epsilon3 is a promising company in the growing software-for-hardware niche. Their software platform helps users manage engineering, assembly, testing, and operations processes. They provide tools for procedure management, real-time collaboration, automated reporting, and data analysis.
This comprehensive suite of tools streamlines engineering operations for companies building complex hardware in aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, mining, and other critical infrastructure sectors. By standardizing engineering and testing processes and improving collaboration between users, Epsilon3’s purpose-built software saves time and money for some of the world’s most ambitious companies.
Software tools for complex hardware development are becoming essential for critical infrastructure companies. On top of delivering novel systems, they face pressure from customers and regulators to meet precise requirements and deliver on ambitious timelines. In a world where partners expect better, faster, and cheaper, every operating advantage matters, and Epsilon3’s software aims to deliver it.
Epsilon3’s software enhances collaboration, reduces the risk of costly engineering mistakes, and accelerates innovation. Their platform, which integrates data management, analysis, and workflow automation, can play a vital role in enabling companies to mitigate risks more effectively. They’ve had success with customers in aerospace and defense and oil and gas, where several disciplines collaborate on single systems and where mistakes can be extremely costly and dangerous.
The company’s founders have extensive experience in complex hardware operations. CEO Laura Crabtree was a 10-year veteran at SpaceX mission operations, and COO Max Mednik was the co-founder and COO of prominent electronic warfare startup Epirus. They earned their perspectives from space operations, the battlefield, and other high-stakes engineering environments. Now, they share an insider’s view of complex hardware development and operational management, and the motivation to build the tools that they always wanted.
Laura and Max founded Epsilon3 in LA in 2021 to support the existing ecosystem of legacy hardware engineering in the South Bay and in anticipation of the boom in entrepreneurship. They’ve raised more than $18M in Seed and Series A funding from incredible venture capital investors in hard tech and beyond. Lux Capital, MaC Venture Capital, Y Combinator, Village Global, Stage Venture Partners and others armed them to tackle their vision of enabling hardware pioneers to accelerate their exploration of the boundaries of technology.
Q&A with CEO, Laura Crabtree
How will the world change when you succeed?
Epsilon3 was designed to support teams in high-risk industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and energy. We're passionate about helping our customers improve the efficiency and repeatability of their most complex procedures. Our goal is to help teams iterate rapidly, without compromising quality or safety.
As organizations continue to adopt Epsilon3, the world will benefit from faster innovation and more reliable operations. For example, we love seeing commercial space launches become more routine. Epsilon3 is helping engineers build and test spacecraft, while helping ground operations teams improve mission reliability.
What motivates you to build this company every day?
Max and I have both been passionate about space exploration since we were young. During my 10 years at SpaceX, I saw how modern operational tools can help fuel rapid innovation and growth. After leaving SpaceX, I talked to dozens of people who complained about the lack of software made for space missions. Epsilon3 is the result of that. We wanted to solve problems for our friends in the space industry. It didn’t take long to realize that other high-stakes industries were in need of similar software solutions. We’re motivated by helping the world’s most innovative teams achieve their goals.
What has been harder than you expected about building Epsilon3?
We’ve learned it can be hard for older organizations to replace legacy software and outdated internal tools. While this isn’t an uncommon problem for software startups, we’re always surprised when a large aerospace company decides not to fix a broken system. Some are concerned the implementation and training process will cause too much operational downtime. Being a successful SaaS startup requires more than just building great products. We work hard to make sure Epsilon3 is easy to implement and use. Providing hands-on training and support is critical when helping customers adopt a new tool.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started Epsilon3?
Epsilon3 started as a small, bootstrapped engineering team focused on one core product. We learned that building new SaaS products and features requires a larger team of specialized Software Engineers. Once we hired more developers, we started releasing new features, integrations, and improvements every two weeks.
Why is LA the right place for you to build your business?
El Segundo has a proud tradition of aerospace innovation. Over half of all satellites and vehicles in space were manufactured in El Segundo. It’s also home to the Los Angeles Air Force Base. Building a team in this part of Los Angeles makes customer visits, implementation, and training much easier.
Behind every successful person there are people who play or have played significant roles in making it happen. Who’s one person who has helped you get to this point? How have they helped?
This is going to sound cliche, but my husband. He encouraged me to take a risk on the job at SpaceX when we were just friends, then after we started dating he backed me for 11 years while I was there (during which time we got married and had 2 kids), and supported the 3 of us starting on this crazy journey of building a startup. He helped me gain the confidence I needed to take many of those leaps in my life.
Thank you Laura and the Epsilon3 team for sharing your story with us!
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