Velo3D gets a boost, and so does its stock, amid iRocket partnership. In an era when national security increasingly depends on technological strength, Velo3D (Nasdaq: VELO) and Innovative Rocket Technologies (iRocket) have once again joined forces to strengthen U.S. aerospace and defense supply chains. Around the same time, Velo3D shares rose more than 25% over several days. Based in New York, iRocket is developing fully reusable launch vehicles and 3D printed solid rocket motors for both commercial space and defense applications. A deeper alliance. The new deal gives iRocket access to Velo3D's Sapphire metal additive manufacturing (AM) printers and its Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) platform. What's important is that this isn't a limited pilot run. iRocket is preparing to scale up, refining its reusable rocket designs and expanding into solid rocket motor production, a field once held back by older manufacturing methods. This expansion builds on a partnership that began in 2021, when iRocket first adopted Velo3D's Sapphire printers to develop and qualify components for its Shockwave reusable rocket. That earlier collaboration focused on 3D printing propulsion system parts, including engine components and structures designed for multiple launches. The new phase takes that work further by adding RPS and moving from prototype development to full-scale production for both space and defense applications. For iRocket, this means using its own Recondition, Reload, and Relaunch(TM) system, which lets the company inspect, refuel, and ready its rockets for another launch within 24 hours. The goal is to make spaceflight work more like aviation, with fast reuse instead of long rebuild cycles. What's more, the ability to produce complex geometries with minimal support, at speed and with repeatable quality, gives iRocket a strategic edge over firms tied to traditional supply chains. Meanwhile, Velo3D also stands to gain. The partnership gives the company a stronger role in defense applications and shows how metal 3D printing can support reliable, U.S.-based production of critical parts. Beyond the collaboration itself, iRocket has been expanding its presence in the space sector. The company is preparing to go public through a $400 million SPAC merger with blank-check firm BPGC Acquisition Corp., a firm backed by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The deal, expected to close in late 2025, would list iRocket on Nasdaq. iRocket also counts support from the venture fund Village Global, whose limited partners include Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, and Eric Schmidt. While iRocket has not yet flown its fully reusable Shockwave rocket, it aims for a first launch in 2027. Why the timing is key. Several trends are coming together to make this partnership especially important. In recent years, the United States has faced growing challenges from overseas sourcing, shipping delays, and fragile supplier networks. Building more of the country's propulsion and high-performance components at home has become a clear national priority. The U.S. is also working to modernize its defense manufacturing. iRocket's move into solid rocket motor production, supported by metal 3D printing, could help close critical gaps in missile and interceptor capabilities. At the same time, iRocket's approach moves beyond single-use rockets. Its focus on rapid reusability hopes to make launches more frequent and affordable while reducing dependence on outside suppliers. This shift treats reusable launch systems not just as spacecraft, but as essential infrastructure for future defense and space operations. In fact, this push for reusability is part of a larger shift across the space industry. This focus on reusability aligns with a broader movement across the space industry. Companies such as SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, and Relativity Space are all working on making rockets that can be recovered and launched again. As Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D, put it, "Working with iRocket exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in building resilient, U.S.-based manufacturing. By integrating their Sapphire printers into our Rapid Production Solutions, iRocket can seamlessly transition from prototype to production, achieving the consistency and scalability required for flight-critical and defense hardware." On the other side, iRocket CEO Asad Malik pointed out that "Velo3D's additive manufacturing technology gives us the freedom to design and produce propulsion system components and 3D print complex geometries that couldn't be built by traditional methods. By expanding our collaboration, we gain the speed, flexibility, and control needed to achieve our mission of delivering reusable, high-frequency launch capabilities for both commercial space and national defense customers." Velo3D's metal 3D printing platform is built for exactly the kind of parts iRocket needs - large, complex components that must perform under extreme conditions. The company's Sapphire printers can produce intricate propulsion and structural hardware with minimal support material, reducing post-processing and speeding up production. The same technology has already proven its value in demanding aerospace environments, including at SpaceX, where it has been used to print critical engine and flight hardware. Velo3D's integrated software and quality control systems also help ensure that every build is consistent and traceable, which is essential for flight-ready and defense-grade hardware. Expanding the partnership also means tackling new technical and production challenges. As production grows, both companies will need to make sure every printed part meets strict standards and performs under stress. They'll also need to earn certifications and complete the long testing cycles required for flight and defense hardware, where reliability is essential. Still, there's a lot to gain. The partnership could strengthen U.S. manufacturing of critical hardware and accelerate the development of new propulsion systems. It may also help make space and defense missions more flexible and efficient. Most importantly, it could serve as a clear example of how additive manufacturing can create stronger and faster supply chains not only in aerospace and defense but also in industries such as aviation, energy, and automotive. The partnership comes at a time when Velo3D is showing renewed momentum following a period of restructuring. After a reverse split and leadership change, Velo3D reset its strategy, launched Rapid Production Solutions, grew Q2 revenue, and is now ramping defense work. More importantly, this week, the financial markets signaled that investors are taking notice. On October 14, 2025, Velo3D shares soared about 26%, jumping from roughly $5.12 to $6.85 in a single trading day. Over the course of the week, its stock climbed nearly 28% overall. Earlier this year, or during the period before its turnaround, Velo3D's stock traded as low as the $3 to $4 range, making this week's uptick particularly special in context. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.

Velo3D and iRocket strengthen U.S. Aerospace & defense supply chains through expanded additive manufacturing partnership. News provided by. iRocket invests in Velo3D Sapphire(R) printers and Rapid Production Solutions to scale U.S.-based production of reusable launch vehicle and defense hardware FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Velo3D, Inc. (Nasdaq: VELO), a leading provider of advanced metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology for mission-critical parts, today announced an expanded partnership with Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. (iRocket),a next-generation aerospace company developing 100% reusable launch vehicles, and 3D printing will allow iRocket to iterate on the design with each recoverable launch. In addition, iRocket's pivotal use of additive manufacturing in Solid Rocket Motor production to serve the growing interceptor market will help expand and reindustrialize the depilated defense base. The collaboration includes iRocket's acquisition of Velo3D's Sapphire(R) printers and the adoption of Velo3D's Rapid Production Solutions (RPS), enabling faster, more scalable production of propulsion and structural components for space and defense applications. This expanded partnership represents a significant milestone in strengthening U.S. supply chains by combining Velo3D's proven AM platform with iRocket's mission to deliver reusable rockets and solid rocket motors for interceptors. iRocket will Recondition, Reload, and Relaunch(TM) its vehicles in under 24 hours, just like how airplanes are used today. iRocket is positioned to deliver critical parts with speed, precision, and repeatability, addressing some of the most pressing aerospace and defense needs with the strength of its collaboration with Velo3D. "Working with iRocket exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in building resilient, U.S.-based manufacturing," said Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO, Velo3D. "By integrating their Sapphire printers into our Rapid Production Solutions, iRocket can seamlessly transition from prototype to production, achieving the consistency and scalability required for flight-critical and defense hardware." Founded in 2018, iRocket is developing the Shockwave 100%reusable launch vehicle designed for rapid turnaround and reusability between missions. The company has secured contracts and collaborations with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory to advance propulsion and defense applications. In July 2025, iRocket and Billionaire industrialist Hon. Wilbur L. Ross announced plans to go public on NASDAQ via a $400 million SPAC merger with BPGC Acquisition Corp., underscoring its growing market presence and capital momentum. "Velo3D's additive manufacturing technology gives us the freedom to design and produce propulsion system components and 3D print complex geometries that couldn't be built by traditional methods," said Asad Malik, CEO, iRocket. "By expanding our collaboration, we gain the speed, flexibility, and control needed to achieve our mission of delivering reusable, high-frequency launch capabilities for both commercial space and national defense customers." Velo3D's Sapphire printer family is uniquely capable of producing large, complex geometries with minimal support structures, making it ideal for propulsion, turbomachinery, and thermal management systems. Its integrated software and hardware platform - including Flow(TM) print software, Assure(TM) quality control, and Intelligent Fusion process control - ensures consistent, traceable production of aerospace-grade parts across multiple machines and sites. The partnership aligns with U.S. government and industry priorities to strengthen domestic supply chains, secure production of critical technologies, and accelerate the pace of innovation in aerospace and defense. About Velo3D Velo3D is a metal 3D printing technology company focused on building mission-critical parts without compromise. Its solution unlocks advanced design freedom and scalability across the defense, space, aviation, and energy sectors. Velo3D's integrated platform includes the Flow print preparation software, the Sapphire printer family, and the Assure quality control system - powered by its Intelligent Fusion process. Learn more at www.velo3d.com. Forward-looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect", "estimate", "project", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "may", "will", "could", "should", "believes", "predicts", "potential", "continue", and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations about the trading price of the Company's common stock resulting from the reverse stock split, the Company's potential listing of its common stock on a national securities exchange, and the Company's other expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside of the Company's control and are difficult to predict. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by applicable law.

Innovative Rocket Technologies (iRocket) is merging with BPGC Acquisition Corp., a SPAC backed by Wilbur Ross, to fund its reusable launch vehicle development. The new entity, iRocket Technologies, is valued at $400 million. BPGC raised $345 million in its IPO, but most funds were withdrawn. SPACs have faced challenges, with high investor redemptions. iRocket aims for a 24-hour turnaround with methane-fueled engines and has backing from Village Global and U.S. government contracts.