Datum Source

Datum Source, established in 2021, operates as a procurement process automation platform with a focus on creating efficiencies within the supply chain for advanced manufacturing. The company was founded by Rob Pakalski, Thomas Cobbs, and Ryan Nagle, all of whom are described as supply chain experts with prior experience at SpaceX. Their collective background in a high-stakes, fast-paced manufacturing environment directly informs the company's mission to simplify and automate supply chain operations for advanced hardware startups.

The firm's core business revolves around a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to automate and improve how hardware companies purchase parts, manage suppliers, and streamline overall supply chain functions. The platform acts as a centralized hub for procurement activities, allowing users to create and submit procurement requests, track and compare quotes, manage approvals, create purchase orders, and analyze historical purchasing data. This addresses a critical pain point for hardware engineers who often spend significant time on non-design tasks related to parts sourcing. Datum Source primarily serves clients in the aerospace, defense, and energy sectors, including notable hardware companies like Apex, Saronic, Muon Space, and Impulse Space.

Datum Source offers two main product solutions: a procure-to-pay software platform and part-sourcing services. A key feature of its platform is the ability to analyze a computer-aided design (CAD) file of a part and automatically match buyers with suppliers who possess the optimal equipment for manufacturing. This facilitates a more efficient sourcing process. The company also runs a procurement services division staffed by former SpaceX supply chain leaders, which can supplement a client's existing procurement team or even function as the entire procurement organization for early-stage hardware companies. In July 2024, Datum Source was acquired by Hadrian, an advanced manufacturing company, in a strategic move to create a comprehensive solution from the new product introduction (NPI) and research-and-development phase through to full-scale production. Following the acquisition, the software product will retain the Datum Source brand name.

Keywords: procurement automation, supply chain software, advanced manufacturing, hardware startups, aerospace procurement, defense procurement, procure-to-pay, supplier management, CAD file analysis, part sourcing, RFQ management, purchase order management, supply chain efficiency, Hadrian acquisition, Rob Pakalski, Thomas Cobbs, Ryan Nagle, SpaceX alumni, manufacturing network, SaaS platform, energy sector procurement, vendor management, procurement services, strategic sourcing, digital procurement