Podcast: Danny Jones & Jake Hand

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In this episode (watch here), we sit down with Jake, founder and managing director of Rapid Fusion, a fast‑growing advanced manufacturing and polymer engineering business based in Exeter. The conversation explores the company’s rapid evolution, the launch of its flagship product Cerberus, and the realities of scaling an innovation‑led firm in today’s geopolitical landscape.

A New Frontier in UK Manufacturing

Rapid Fusion develops large‑format 3D printing and polymer‑based manufacturing systems, including Cerberus – a fully containerised, fast‑deploy manufacturing unit capable of producing parts on‑site in as little as 20 minutes. Developed through an Innovate UK funded programme, Cerberus has drawn significant attention from defence organisations looking to strengthen UK‑based production, improve supply chain resilience and respond to rapidly changing operational requirements.

With global shifts in defence and manufacturing priorities, the need for fast, flexible production has surged. Jake notes that although this demand is driven by unsettling geopolitical events, it has created real opportunity for UK‑based innovators capable of offering secure, locally manufactured solutions.

Scaling at Pace

Since launching Cerberus in November, Rapid Fusion has experienced overwhelming demand—from defence primes to manufacturers seeking faster tooling and mould production. This sudden growth has pushed the company from startup to scaleup at speed, bringing new challenges around recruitment, processes, cashflow and team structure.

Jake discusses the reality of navigating intense growth with a small team: making strategic hires, balancing hands‑on leadership with long‑term planning, and learning when to focus on one major problem rather than trying to fix everything at once.

The Role of Funding and Support

The discussion highlights the importance of flexible finance for innovation‑led companies. Traditional lenders often struggle to understand emerging technologies, whereas government backed schemes and innovation funding can act as crucial stepping stones – especially when matched with lenders who understand the risks and opportunities involved.

Jake reflects on Rapid Fusion’s experience using Innovate UK support alongside funding from The FSE Group to bridge gaps, manage cashflow and unlock further growth.

Mindset, Motivation and Leadership

Beyond the technology, Jake offers an honest look into the mindset required to build a global business from scratch: the resilience needed to push through setbacks, the importance of staying close to your team, and the discipline required to avoid “shiny magpie syndrome” by staying focused on core strengths.

He also touches on the personal side of leadership – from managing global time zones to learning when to step back, when to pivot and how to keep people motivated as the company grows.

Looking Ahead

Rapid Fusion now operates globally with resellers in multiple countries and a roadmap for further expansion. For Jake, the goal is to continue scaling the business while building a strong, specialised team capable of carrying it to the next phase.

As he notes, building a high growth company is rarely glamorous – more often it’s exhausting, nonlinear and full of unexpected challenges. But Rapid Fusion’s journey shows what’s possible when innovation, resilience and the right support come together.