Terrafirma, a construction technology startup founded by former SpaceX engineers, has raised $115 million. CNBC reported on Monday that the investment included participation from Kleiner Perkins, Bain Capital Ventures, SpaceX, Anduril and Hadrian.

Terrafirma, which is based in Austin, Texas, is developing technology to remotely operate construction equipment using multiple interfaces, including an Xbox controller. The company explained that the technology reduces costs and improves safety. Its long-term goal is building infrastructure on Mars.

Terrafirma plans to use the funds over the next year to hire 300 people and build a Texas factory and a mission control centre. It will focus for now on proving the technology on Earth and plans to take part in bids if moon-related projects emerge in the future.

Co-founders Noah Shocket (노아 쇼켓) and Noah McGuinness (노아 맥기니스) first met on the first day of an engineering class at Princeton University and joined SpaceX after graduation. McGuinness worked on the government satellite programme Starshield, while Shocket worked on Starlink and later Starship.

The two founders experienced an environment at SpaceX that demanded rapid development and scaling, and they came up with a plan to apply that approach to the construction industry. Shocket said technology accumulated over the past decades has not been sufficiently introduced into the construction industry.

About half of Terrafirma's engineering staff are from SpaceX, Tesla and the Boring Company. Recent commercial projects have included sports stadiums and Starbucks.