About
Built by an engineer who's actually run operations.
Axonna Digital Advisory is led by Steve Slaughter — an engineer-operator who started the firm to help small and mid-sized businesses modernize their operations through practical AI, automation, and data-driven systems, without the complexity, jargon, or sticker shock that usually comes with them.
Founder
Steve Slaughter
Engineer-operator with a career across aerospace, defense, biotech, and advanced manufacturing.
Connect on LinkedIn →Steve's career has focused on building and scaling complex technical systems. He studied Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
He began at Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, where he worked on electrical systems for fighter aircraft, satellites, and mission-critical aerospace programs. He led engineering initiatives that improved operational efficiency, automated large-scale technical workflows, and resolved complex deployment challenges under high-stakes conditions.
He later moved into deep tech and biotech operations at GALY, where he led engineering and production initiatives supporting the transition from R&D to scalable manufacturing. That included directing the buildout of a $1M pilot facility, managing multimillion-dollar operational budgets, developing production systems and KPIs, and leading cross-functional technical teams.
Today his focus is helping SMBs adopt modern digital systems without unnecessary complexity or buzzwords. His approach is grounded in real-world execution: combining engineering discipline, operational thinking, and emerging AI capabilities to help companies work more efficiently and make better decisions with their data.
Why Axonna
The gap between what's possible and what's practical.
Steve started Axonna because most SMBs know they need to modernize their operations — but most are stuck between overly expensive consulting firms and generic agencies selling disconnected tools.
There's a growing gap between what modern AI and automation systems can actually do and what smaller businesses are realistically able to implement. Axonna exists to close that gap.
The firm focuses on practical execution: helping companies improve workflows, reduce operational friction, and adopt systems that create measurable business value without unnecessary complexity.
Best fit
Owner-operators and operational leaders at growing SMBs.
Steve works best with founders, owner-operators, and operational leaders at SMBs that are growing quickly but feeling strain from manual processes, fragmented systems, or operational bottlenecks. The work lands hardest in operationally complex industries where better systems create immediate impact.
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Industrial services
- Technical services
- Operationally complex SMBs
Track record
Built and operated systems where mistakes were not an option.
A few representative outcomes from prior engineering and operational leadership roles.
~70%
Manual process reduction
Cut manual handling time across operational improvement initiatives in high-reliability engineering environments.
Mission-critical
Aerospace deployments
Resolved deployment-blocking issues on satellite and fighter aircraft programs operating under high-reliability constraints.
$1M
Pilot facility buildout
Designed and built operational infrastructure to take a biotech program from R&D into scalable production.
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