‘I love taking VC dollars and turning it into jobs’: inside SendCutSend’s $2.1 billion bet on American metal

Jim Belosic, the founder of SendCutSend, first embarked on a unique journey in 2017. The Nevada-based entrepreneur was working on a steam-powered car, a concept he found intriguing and challenging. As the project progressed, Belosic faced a technical hurdle. He wanted the throttle control to have three distinct speeds, reminiscent of the oxen in the computer game Oregon Trail - "steady," "strenuous," and "grueling."

To achieve this, he needed intricate, tiny letters, which he could not readily find. A friend introduced him to laser cutting—a precision technique that employs a concentrated beam of light to cut through materials like metal.

SendCutSend was born out of this innovation. The company, based in Reno, Nevada, specializes in transforming customers' designs into custom metal parts. Belosic's initial order was pickleball-themed keychains. Since then, orders from various clients, including tech giants like Zipline, Waymo, K2 Space, and Relativity, have surged, along with numerous other businesses.

SendCutSend's services have proven invaluable, addressing a longstanding challenge in manufacturing: custom metal parts can be difficult and costly to produce, particularly for smaller orders.

Initially, Belosic avoided venture capital (VC) funds. However, in 2023, Sequoia partner Andrew Reed, impressed by SendCutSend's growth, facilitated a $1.1 billion Series A round. Just five months later, the company raised another $900 million through a Series B round led by Spark, with participation from CRV, MHS, Sequoia, and Paradigm.

Belosic maintains that his primary use for VC funds is to create jobs, provide affordable housing, and offer opportunities for his employees. This approach not only fuels the company's growth but also strengthens its resilience.

Belosic's vision extends beyond business success. He aims to contribute to U.S. reindustrialization, hoping SendCutSend can play a foundational role in manufacturing within America. The company's innovative approach to custom metal production aligns with this goal, potentially enabling the processing and crafting of metal in the U.S. and then distributing it globally. Belosic's ambition is to see manufacturing flourish in America, making it a cornerstone of the nation's economy.