Dynamo Dispatch (2025/11/10)

Issue 352 | Infravision, Hullbot, Poseidon Aerospace

Weekly Commentary 💭

We express our deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims of the UPS plane crash. Our thoughts are with you as you navigate this difficult time.

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We Are Dynamo,

Madelyn, Madison and the rest of the Dynamo team

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Make, Move, and Monetize 📦

⭐ Flight Cuts from Government Shutdown Strain a Supply Chain That’s Already Stretched Thin. The FAA’s 10% cut to daytime flights at 40 major US airports, combined with UPS and FedEx grounding MD-11 fleets after the Louisville crash, is a one-two hit to air cargo just as peak season ramps up. Most air freight is international, and many integrator flights run at night, but reduced domestic belly capacity will tighten space, push some volume to trucks, add routing friction, and likely trigger spot rate volatility—with experts flagging potential 1–2 day delays around mid-December. Executives should expect tighter space and higher yields on domestic lanes: pull orders forward, prioritize high-value SKUs, diversify modes/secondary hubs, and budget for surcharges; investors should watch parcel integrators and forwarders for margin pressure, mix shifts, and short-term service variability. Completely unrelated, Amazon: Better Inventory Placement Fuels Record Delivery Speeds.

Supreme Court Sounds Skeptical of Trump’s Wide-Ranging Tariffs. Conservative justices, including Roberts and Barrett, signaled skepticism that President Trump had authority to impose sweeping tariffs (from “Liberation Day” levies to duties on Canada, Mexico, and China), casting them as taxes that Congress must authorize. The case hinges on the Supreme Court’s major-questions doctrine, which lower courts have used to deem many of the tariffs illegal. The DOJ argues that existing statutes grant broad presidential power, but the justices questioned that reading. If the Court curbs these tariffs, it could sharply limit unilateral trade powers, force complex refund disputes, and upend a core pillar of Trump’s economic agenda — with knock-on effects for markets, supply chains, and the fiscal outlook. Also, European Business Braces For Greater Impact from US tariffs in 2026, and Trump Suggests $2,000 Payouts to Americans as He Defends Tariffs.

Rare-Earth Magnet Startups Seal $1.4B Deal With Trump Administration. Vulcan Elements and ReElement secured a government and funding package to stand up a US rare-earth magnet supply chain, including a Pentagon-backed loan, a Commerce equity stake, and warrants. The move fits the administration’s strategy of taking direct stakes in strategic tech and reshoring magnets vital to AI, EVs, and defense. This speeds domestic capacity and elevates recycling as a key feedstock—attractive for US suppliers and aligned investors, while exposure to shifting US-China trade policy remains the swing risk. For more, check out Trump Administration and Private Investors Sign Off on $1.4B Deal with Rare Earth Startups.

How a Weak Rubber Supply Chain Threatens US National Security. US rubber is exposed: 87% of key additives are made abroad, with 43% in China, and domestic capacity for accelerators, vulcanizing agents, and anti-degradants is inadequate. Modern rubber relies on 20+ ingredients, and decades of offshoring have shifted production to Asia—now entangled with dual-use export controls. This is a national-security chokepoint for a $240B+ rubber/plastics ecosystem: without rapid investment in US additive manufacturing, permitting reform, and strategic stockpiles, expect supply shocks, longer lead times, and industrial/defense downtime.

MSC Shatters Industry Record, Becomes First Carrier to Command 7 Million TEU Fleet Capacity. MSC became the first carrier to hit a seven-million-TEU fleet, crossing the milestone with two fresh Neo-Panamax deliveries after a rapid build-up. The growth leaned heavily on newbuilds, bolstered by fresh charters and selective secondhand buys—focused on 14–16k TEU ships rather than the very largest Megamax class. With a widening lead over Maersk, MSC’s scale lets it reprice and redeploy capacity on key lanes, strengthening port leverage and shipper choice—but also raises the risk of rate and schedule volatility if discipline slips. Related, World’s Largest Container Ship Owner Sets New Record for Fleet Size.

US Steel Outlines $14B Domestic Investment Plan with Nippon Steel. US Steel, backed by Nippon Steel, rolled out a multi-year, US-focused investment plan to modernize plants, step up R&D and product innovation, and shore up its domestic footprint. The partners are pushing hundreds of efficiency projects to cut costs and lift profitability, with early upgrades already moving across key mills. This is a bid to reposition US steelmaking toward cleaner, more competitive production and premium products despite a soft market—watch execution on permitting, integration, and labor to see if the promised gains materialize. Completely unrelated, MSC Agrees to Reflag 12 Container Ships in India in Diversification Push.

US Retailers Throttle Back on Imports Amid Uncertain Consumer Sentiment. US retailers are throttling back post-holiday restocking despite expecting a solid season, with Global Port Tracker calling for double-digit import declines to persist into early 2026. Front-loading earlier in the year, tariff whiplash, and softer consumer sentiment following the prolonged shutdown have merchants keeping their inventories lean. Expect softer port throughput and contract-rate pressure, but also a higher risk of stockouts and sharp spot-rate spikes if demand pops—especially as retailers keep diversifying away from China amid still-elevated tariffs. Also, US Container Imports Fall in October Amid Tariff Driven Caution and Almost Half of U.S. Imports Now Have Steep Tariffs.

What We Know about Deadly Kentucky Cargo Plane Crash. UPS flight 2976 crashed during takeoff at Louisville International Airport after its left engine reportedly detached, skidding off the runway, striking nearby businesses, and igniting a half-mile fire fueled by ~38,000 gallons of jet fuel; at least 12 are dead and 11 are injured, with counts likely to rise. The NTSB has recovered both black boxes. Early CCTV shows the engine separation during the takeoff roll, and officials narrowed shelter-in-place orders as the blaze was contained; the status of the three crew members remains unclear. This incident could trigger heightened scrutiny of aging cargo fleets and maintenance regimes, regulatory and liability exposure for UPS and the airport, localized economic disruption/insurance losses, and potential operational changes for airports embedded in dense urban/industrial zones. For more, check out UPS Plane Crash Kills at Least 9, Disrupts Package Sorting.

US Manufacturing Dips Despite Improved Demand: PMI. US manufacturing slipped back into contraction despite some improvement in demand indicators, as production and hiring weakened under ongoing tariff and policy uncertainty. Inputs were mixed—slower deliveries, leaner inventories, and rising prices—with only a couple of major industries expanding; a separate survey looked healthier on domestic demand but flagged weak exports and a build-up in unsold stock. This backdrop signals margin pressure and restrained hiring/capex, with a real risk of production cuts unless orders firm and inventories clear—watch new and export orders, inventory-to-sales, and trade-policy signals for the turn.

Amazon Places ‘Largest Ever’ Electric Truck Order in the UK. Amazon is rolling out its largest-ever UK electric HGV order, putting Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks into hub-to-hub service and building out fast-charging at its depots, bringing its UK e-truck fleet to roughly 160, alongside a major expansion of electric vans, cargo bikes, and on-foot deliveries. The company says charging infrastructure is the main bottleneck and is pushing for industry–government collaboration even as it funds its own sites. For operators and investors, this is a signal that zero-emission heavy freight is moving from pilots to scale—expect pressure on rivals to electrify, rising demand for depot charging and grid upgrades, and a reshaping of total-cost-of-ownership economics. Related, Decarbonising Deliveries: Amazon’s Record-Breaking EV Fleet.

Request for Startups 📢

Dynamo is always looking to meet startups that are helping to make, move, and monetize goods. Check out our latest request for startups below!

Electronic Waste: Dynamo believes that waste from data centers holds massive untapped value, with PCBs containing far more gold than raw ore yet mostly going unrecovered. Robotics and circular platforms can transform this waste into a key resource amid rising demand for critical minerals and AI-driven compute. Read more here.

The Future of Supply Chain 🎙️

Check out our podcast series that’s been running since 2018. On each episode of the Future of Supply Chain, we sit down with a different entrepreneur, investor, or industry veteran to discuss innovation, technology, and the most exciting opportunities in supply chain as we build the future of the industry together.

Fundraises and M&A 💸

Adaptronics Raises €3.15M in Seed Funding. Adaptronics develops electrostatic robotic grippers using its proprietary Electro-Active Adhesive Layer (EAAL) technology, enabling gentle, energy-efficient handling of varied materials through electro-adhesion and tactile sensing. The funding will support scaling of pilot production and expansion of commercial operations across Europe, with continued validation in industrial and space applications. The round was led by 360 Capital, with participation from Galaxia (CDP Venture Capital) and Obloo Ventures.

Freeda Raises €3.4M in Funding. Freeda is a Paris-based SaaS company that uses artificial intelligence to detect hidden errors in architectural and construction plans. The funds will be used to expand its team of architects and engineers, enhance AI capabilities, scale plan reviews, and adapt its platform to local building standards across international markets. The round was led by Frst, with participation from Brick & Mortar Ventures.

Poseidon Aerospace Raises $11M in Seed Funding. Poseidon Aerospace is developing two unmanned cargo aircraft, Egret and Heron, designed for logistics missions in challenging environments, including short-runway and maritime operations. The funds will support continued development and flight testing, which is targeted for 2026. Tamarack Global led the round, with participation from Drover Ventures, Draper Associates, and Starship Ventures.

Hullbot Raises $16M in Series A Funding. Hullbot builds autonomous underwater robots that clean ship hulls to reduce drag, lower fuel costs, and cut emissions. The funding will support global expansion, scale manufacturing, establish international service hubs, and enhance the system for larger vessels. The Series A was led by Regeneration.VC, with participation from Katapult Ocean, Climate Tech Partners, Folklore Ventures, Trinity Ventures, Rypples, NewSouth Innovations, Artesian, and Impact Ventures/Ocean Impact Collective.

Infravision Raises $91M in Series B Funding. Infravision develops autonomous drone systems that replace helicopters for stringing high-voltage transmission lines. The Series B funding will support global scaling efforts, including hiring and project development in the US, Canada, and India. The round was led by Singapore’s GIC, with participation from Activate Capital, Hitachi Ventures, and Energy Impact Partners.

Wind Point Partners Acquires Supply Chain Provider Buske. Buske Lines is a contract warehousing and supply chain solutions firm based in Illinois, serving Fortune 500 clients in the food, beverage, and packaging sectors. The company specializes in storage, handling, packaging, inspection, kitting, and component sequencing. Wind Point Partners led the acquisition, with Buske’s senior leadership retaining a meaningful ownership stake in the business.

Webster Industries Acquires Renold Plc in Strategic Expansion Backed by MPE Partners. Webster Industries, a U.S.-based manufacturer of engineered chain and vibratory equipment, has acquired Renold Plc, a global supplier of industrial chain and torque transmission products. The acquisition will support Webster’s strategy to create a global leader in automation, material handling, and power transmission solutions, while both companies maintain current operations. The transaction was supported by MPE Partners, with debt financing provided by Ares Management and Fidelity Direct Lending.

Who’s Hiring? 👩‍💻

Be sure to check out the Dynamo website for more job opportunities at our portfolio companies!

Manufacturing QA Engineer at Gatik in Detroit, MI.

Senior Powertrain/Battery Management Engineer at Manna in Dublin, Ireland.

Operations Coordinator at sennder in Amsterdam, Netherlands.