MiLA Capital (Make in LA)

Make in LA is a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, California, focused on supporting early-stage startups, particularly in the fields of food technology, agriculture technology, automation, mobility, aerospace, climate technology, and health and wellness. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million and $1 million in companies at various stages, including pre-seed, seed, and post-seed. By fostering innovation and providing resources, Make in LA aims to empower entrepreneurs, especially those in the hardware sector, to streamline the development of their products and enhance their business execution. While the firm primarily focuses on investments in the United States, it also considers opportunities in Latin America and other global markets.

Carmen Palafox

Partner

26 past transactions

Orbit Fab

Venture Round in 2020
Orbit Fab, Inc. is a company focused on developing orbital propellant depots to support satellite servicing and expand the operational capabilities of space assets. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company provides various products, including the Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI) for on-orbit refueling and docking, as well as prototypes of rigid and flexible tankers for the International Space Station (ISS). By creating the necessary infrastructure for in-space fuel supply, Orbit Fab aims to foster a growing market for satellite maintenance and new industries such as space tourism, manufacturing, and mining. Their technology enhances the flexibility and operational lifespan of satellites, enabling operators to acquire fuel and materials as needed, thus transforming the way satellites are serviced in orbit.

Farcast

Seed Round in 2020
Farcast is a technology company based in Los Angeles that specializes in developing hardware and software for precision airdrop deliveries. Founded in 2017 and located in Hawthorne, California, the company designs drones that are mounted on commercial aircraft, helicopters, or UAVs to facilitate the delivery of packages in remote or otherwise inaccessible areas. Utilizing advanced mapping software, Farcast evaluates suitable drop points and enables autonomous release and landing of packages, ensuring they land safely within a designated area. This innovative approach allows for rapid and cost-effective delivery solutions, addressing the logistical challenges faced in rural regions.

Machina Labs

Seed Round in 2020
Machina Labs is a mechanical and industrial engineering firm focused on automating metal forming and fabrication processes through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company has developed a manufacturing platform that integrates advanced robotics and AI technologies, enabling the rapid and cost-effective realization of innovative ideas. By creating new methods that simplify machinery requirements, Machina Labs serves a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and defense. This approach allows industries to reduce reliance on costly tooling and setup, streamlining production and enhancing efficiency.

Hava Health

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Hava Health, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in the United States that specializes in developing innovative solutions for nicotine addiction. The company manufactures a smoking cessation device that includes a connected vape pen designed to assist individuals in their efforts to quit smoking. This device pairs with a smartphone application called Hale, which serves as a digital support tool for users undergoing nicotine de-addiction. Through its focus on combining technology with therapeutic approaches, Hava Health aims to provide effective support for those seeking to overcome nicotine dependence.

Prosper

Seed Round in 2019
Prosper is an operator of a biotechnology company that aims to slow the aging process and revitalize health. The company has an internal dashboard linked to epigenetics, which are biomarkers that lie on top of the DNA by controlling how it works, and as lifestyle changes, these markers change while DNA sequence cannot be changed, there would be a control of epigenetics to optimize health and longevity, allowing customers to outsmart aging, boost their energy, reduce stress, sleep properly, and lose weight.

Vector Launch

Series B in 2018
Vector Launch, Inc. is a company that develops software for satellites and launch vehicles to facilitate access to space for micro and nano satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, it operates additional facilities in Long Beach and San Jose, California. The company aims to connect space startups with affordable and frequent launch options, thereby enhancing access to orbital capabilities at unprecedented speeds and price points. Its focus on low-cost microsatellites not only supports commercial innovations but also addresses complex challenges for national security, providing valuable services to the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. However, Vector Launch faced financial difficulties and filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in December 2019.

Caban Systems

Seed Round in 2018
Caban Systems, founded in 2017 and based in San Mateo, California, specializes in the design and manufacture of modular lithium-ion energy storage systems tailored for the telecommunications industry. The company focuses on providing software-enabled solutions that enhance energy management for off-grid and weak-grid telecom sites. By utilizing intelligent lithium-ion battery packs, Caban Systems aims to prevent downtime and lower the total cost of ownership and maintenance for telecom towers. This approach not only helps clients save on energy expenses but also contributes to reduced emissions, making it a valuable partner for telecommunication companies and mobile network operators.

Radii Robotics

Seed Round in 2018
Radii Robotics specializes in developing autonomous indoor surveillance drones aimed at enterprises. The company has created an aerial robotics platform that integrates advanced flight algorithm software with aerial robots, allowing for autonomous inspections of high-altitude structures. This technology enables clients to perform both visual and subsurface inspections, effectively replacing the need for manual labor in challenging environments. By combining drone mobility with human-like dexterity, Radii Robotics offers a solution that enhances safety and efficiency in high-altitude operations.

Feel Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2017
Feel Therapeutics is a digital precision medicine company focused on improving mental health through objective data and passive monitoring. It develops physiological and digital biomarkers alongside therapeutics that aid in the diagnosis, management, and care of mental health conditions. The company's platform includes proprietary medical-grade wearables, such as a wristband equipped with five embedded sensors, which collect biometric data. This data is analyzed using advanced computational methods to create digital biomarkers. By integrating these technologies, Feel Therapeutics aims to provide users with evidence-based insights that enhance their mental well-being and foster the development of lasting positive emotional habits.

Farcast

Angel Round in 2017
Farcast is a technology company based in Los Angeles that specializes in developing hardware and software for precision airdrop deliveries. Founded in 2017 and located in Hawthorne, California, the company designs drones that are mounted on commercial aircraft, helicopters, or UAVs to facilitate the delivery of packages in remote or otherwise inaccessible areas. Utilizing advanced mapping software, Farcast evaluates suitable drop points and enables autonomous release and landing of packages, ensuring they land safely within a designated area. This innovative approach allows for rapid and cost-effective delivery solutions, addressing the logistical challenges faced in rural regions.

Gaszen

Seed Round in 2017
Gaszen is a company focused on enhancing energy consumption experiences by providing an Internet of Things (IoT) gas management platform specifically for propane users. Serving a global market of approximately 3 billion people who rely on propane for cooking, heating, and hot water, Gaszen targets Mexico, the largest per capita consumer of propane in the Americas. The propane industry in Mexico represents a market worth around 8 billion. The company offers a device that connects stationary propane tanks to the internet, allowing for real-time monitoring of gas levels and consumption patterns. This platform facilitates connections between residential users, small and medium-sized businesses, gas suppliers, and dispatchers. It includes a user application for consumers, a control dashboard for businesses, and a management dashboard for gas suppliers. By replacing traditional analog meters with wireless sensors, Gaszen aims to provide transparency in propane consumption, helping users manage their energy use effectively and economically.

Thesis Couture

Seed Round in 2017
Thesis Couture, Inc., established in 2013 and based in Los Angeles, California, specializes in the design and manufacture of women's footwear, particularly focusing on reinventing the stiletto. The company employs innovative techniques that combine structural engineering principles, advanced material science, and human factors to enhance the comfort and performance of its high-heeled shoes. By concentrating on load distribution, impact shock, and kinematics, Thesis Couture aims to provide women with stylish yet comfortable footwear that empowers their lifestyles. The team comprises experts from various fields, including fashion, technology, and anatomy, to ensure that their products meet new standards in high heel design.

Vector Launch

Series A in 2017
Vector Launch, Inc. is a company that develops software for satellites and launch vehicles to facilitate access to space for micro and nano satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, it operates additional facilities in Long Beach and San Jose, California. The company aims to connect space startups with affordable and frequent launch options, thereby enhancing access to orbital capabilities at unprecedented speeds and price points. Its focus on low-cost microsatellites not only supports commercial innovations but also addresses complex challenges for national security, providing valuable services to the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. However, Vector Launch faced financial difficulties and filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in December 2019.

Vector Launch

Seed Round in 2016
Vector Launch, Inc. is a company that develops software for satellites and launch vehicles to facilitate access to space for micro and nano satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, it operates additional facilities in Long Beach and San Jose, California. The company aims to connect space startups with affordable and frequent launch options, thereby enhancing access to orbital capabilities at unprecedented speeds and price points. Its focus on low-cost microsatellites not only supports commercial innovations but also addresses complex challenges for national security, providing valuable services to the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. However, Vector Launch faced financial difficulties and filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in December 2019.

Emerge

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Emerge, Inc. is a consumer technology company founded in 2015 and based in Mountain View, California. It focuses on developing a multi-sensory communication platform that enhances virtual interactions by incorporating touch, alongside sight, sound, and emotional input. The company's flagship product, the Emerge Wave-series, utilizes patented ultrasonic technology to create tactile sensations, allowing users to experience physical interactions, such as a virtual high five, without the need for gloves or controllers. This innovation aims to address the growing sense of disconnection experienced by over 2 billion people worldwide, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections in communication. Emerge's team is diverse, with a significant portion comprised of immigrants and first-generation Americans, and includes experienced professionals from various sectors such as consumer electronics, augmented reality, and gaming. The company has received backing from notable investors, including venture capital firms and prominent figures from the tech industry.

Amped Innovation

Seed Round in 2016
Amped Innovation focuses on creating affordable solar energy solutions for individuals living on less than four dollars a day. Their flagship product, the Blossom, is a solar home power system that offers superior performance at a significantly lower cost than competitors, being one third the price while providing double the power handling. The Blossom features a software-enabled Pay-As-You-Go interface, allowing customers to pay in installments comparable to their current kerosene expenses. This innovative approach not only enhances access to light and cell-phone charging but also supports the operation of appliances such as televisions and sewing machines. By developing solar appliances that cater to off-grid markets, Amped Innovation aims to provide reliable energy products that improve the quality of life for underserved communities.

3D-SensIR

Seed Round in 2016
3D-SensIR, Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing handheld smart 3D LIDAR camera systems that create photorealistic 3D models on-site in real time. Based in Stevenson Ranch, California, the company integrates advanced hardware with proprietary software that processes data from multiple sensors. This technology allows users to generate detailed 3D color images compatible with commercial modeling software. Additionally, 3D-SensIR's systems are designed for versatility, enabling applications in large-area 3D mapping via drones and autonomous vehicles. The technology also supports viewing 3D models in virtual and augmented reality environments. Established in January 2016, 3D-SensIR serves industries such as architecture, engineering, and construction.

Canviz

Seed Round in 2016
Canviz is a San Francisco-based company that offers a wood-framed digital canvas designed for displaying art and photography. This innovative product allows users to collect, discover, and share a variety of visual content through a mobile application. With its wireless control features, the digital canvas connects seamlessly with popular social media platforms, facilitating engagement between visual artists and a broader audience. Canviz aims to enhance the way art is experienced by transforming static images into dynamic displays, thereby bringing art to life in homes and other spaces.

Rufus Labs

Seed Round in 2016
Rufus Labs LLC is a technology company that designs and manufactures wearable workforce solutions, primarily through its flagship product, the Rufus Cuff. This lightweight, rugged wearable device serves as a communication tool while also incorporating sensors for physiometric data collection, location-based assignments, and safety alerts. The Rufus Cuff functions as a wrist communicator, enabling users to make and receive voice and video calls, play music, and interact with various fitness applications. The device is compatible with both Android and iOS systems, allowing for seamless integration with smartphones. Founded in 2013 by Gabe Grifoni, Travis LaBerge, Paula Odysseos-Panayiotou, and Matt Goldman, Rufus Labs is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and offers its products through online channels.

Flip Technologies

Seed Round in 2016
Flip Technologies provides a wide array of products ranging from navigation for fleet management services, routing and demand-supply heatmaps for ride-sharing platforms & enroute EV charging optimization & scheduling to build an inter-car communication network for the future self driving cars

Lily Grey

Seed Round in 2016
Lily Grey is a contemporary jewelry brand that specializes in digital fashion accessories. The company provides innovative digital jewelry that enables users to express their personal narratives through a combination of messages, photos, videos, and audio. By offering a unique platform for self-expression, Lily Grey aims to redefine the way individuals tell their stories, making it a distinctive player in the jewelry market.

Acqubit

Seed Round in 2016
Acqubit, a trademark of 3D-SensIR, Inc., is a privately held corporation established in 2016 and based in Southern California. The company specializes in the design and manufacturing of low-cost 3D laser scanners, providing comprehensive 3D capture solutions that integrate both hardware and software components. Acqubit develops advanced 3D lidar sensors specifically tailored for commercial and defense applications. These sensors utilize a single-photon sensitive Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode detector, enabling the capture of high-resolution 3D data over extensive areas from autonomous platforms in land, air, and space domains. This technology allows for the creation of precise three-dimensional maps for various industries.

Flip Technologies

Seed Round in 2015
Flip Technologies provides a wide array of products ranging from navigation for fleet management services, routing and demand-supply heatmaps for ride-sharing platforms & enroute EV charging optimization & scheduling to build an inter-car communication network for the future self driving cars

Force Impact Technologies

Seed Round in 2015
Force Impact Technologies specializes in wearable technology aimed at enhancing the safety and performance of young amateur athletes aged 12 to 25. Their flagship product, The FITGuard, is an innovative mouthguard embedded with sensors that measure impact forces during athletic activities. This data is transmitted via Bluetooth to a mobile application and stored in the cloud for analysis. Complementing The FITGuard is the FITPlatform, which monitors injury trends and provides compliance resources to help reduce preventable injuries through active surveillance. The company is committed to developing protective interventions and responsibly reporting injury findings while encouraging a physically active lifestyle among youth.

Plobot

Pre Seed Round in 2015
Plobot is a developer of educational technology focused on enhancing children's learning experiences through play. The company offers a programmable robot designed to foster logical thinking and creativity in young learners. By utilizing smart cards that represent coding blocks used in software development, Plobot enables children to engage in activities that promote problem-solving skills. The approach emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing kids to interact with various tools such as coding cards, floor puzzles, and building blocks. Through these engaging activities, Plobot aims to empower children to think critically and develop essential cognitive skills in a fun and interactive manner.

Flip Technologies

Seed Round in 2015
Flip Technologies provides a wide array of products ranging from navigation for fleet management services, routing and demand-supply heatmaps for ride-sharing platforms & enroute EV charging optimization & scheduling to build an inter-car communication network for the future self driving cars
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