Pixxel, a US-India-based space tech firm, has secured an additional $24 million in its ongoing Series B funding round – bringing its total Series B raise to $60 million. The funding will support the company’s mission of launching the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation.
Pixxel’s extended Series B round welcomed new investors, M&G Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital Partners. Existing backers like Google, Radical Ventures, and Lightspeed also participated. This funding solidifies Pixxel’s status as one of India’s top-funded space-tech startups.
Pixxel will utilize the funds to expedite the launch of its 18-satellite constellation and enhance its software suite, including Aurora. This AI-driven Earth Observation platform facilitates seamless analysis and generates actionable insights from hyperspectral data, catering to various applications.
“The new infusion of capital will help us launch more satellites quicker, transforming how humanity understands and acts on the challenges of our time.” said Awais Ahmed, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Pixxel.
“We look forward to building a business that continues to make a meaningful impact for generations, creating a world where industries and governments can act faster and smarter for the greater good through Pixxel’s cutting-edge hyperspectral satellites.” he added.
The funding will also fuel Pixxel’s expansion plans, ramping up satellite production capacity and scaling operations for future missions. This will further enable Pixxel to offer end-to-end satellite manufacturing services, spanning small satellites to cutting-edge imaging payloads, to organizations and governments worldwide.
Praveg Patil, Head of Asia Pacific at M&G Impact & Private Equity, noted, “Pixxel’s proprietary technology will be transformational and adaptable to monitor crop health, enhance climate change management, use resources more effectively, and protect the environment.”
Linda Guo, partner at Glade Brook Capital Partners, emphasized that the Pixxel team is poised to spearhead growth and adoption in the hyperspectral satellite market.
Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellites capture data across 250+ spectral bands at a 5-meter resolution, enabling spectral fingerprinting of Earth and revealing details inaccessible via traditional imaging techniques.
Pixxel’s Fireflies constellation, launching in early 2025, comprises six commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites. These satellites will provide global coverage with 5-meter resolution, 40-kilometer-wide imaging, and daily revisit capability. This technology empowers organizations with critical intelligence for informed decision-making across agriculture, climate monitoring, resource management, mining, environmental protection, energy, and urban planning.
In September, Pixxel became the first Indian startup to win a deal with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
