Two MBA‑led deep‑tech startups are pitching U.S. production solutions: Make Matter (HBS) raised an oversubscribed $20M seed to build AI‑native, software‑defined factories for advanced electromechanical assembly; its MatterOS platform promises faster scale-up for robotics and energy systems. K1 Semiconductor (Chicago Booth) raised $1.4M to commercialize wafer‑spalling technology that reuses expensive substrates up to 20 times and promises performance gains for compound semiconductors. Both companies frame their strategy around national supply‑chain resilience: Matter positions on‑shore contract manufacturing to shorten lead times for hardware and defense customers, while K1 targets material scarcity in power electronics and photonics. Investors and university tech-transfer offices see this as fertile ground for research partnerships, pilot fabs, and federal grant support. Universities should expect interest in collaborative testbeds, joint hiring and student projects that translate campus manufacturing expertise into commercial proof points.