UK startup Blue Skies Space closes £2m+ funding round
Space data company Blue Skies Space has secured over £2m in funding to accelerate the launch of its science satellites, to help the world’s research communities in their quest to solve the biggest questions in the universe.
This latest funding round includes new investment from Japan’s SPARX Group Co. Ltd. - Space Frontier Fund, launched in 2020 following investment from Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and follow-on investment from SFC Capital, the UK's most active seed-stage investor.
Blue Skies Space is transforming how scientists can study the universe by providing a convenient data access model, ensuring any scientist in the world can easily access the data they need via affordable annual memberships. The London-based space company already has the participation of institutions across eleven countries, including Cardiff University (UK), Vanderbilt University (USA), The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (France), and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
Dr Marcell Tessenyi, CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Skies Space, comments: “Blue Skies Space was founded to create opportunities for every scientist across the world by opening access to satellite data. Our fleet of small, agile satellites enable scientists to quickly initiate new areas of science faster than ever before, while complementing the larger facilities built by government agencies, which are in huge demand and often heavily oversubscribed.
“We believe great science doesn’t always need large satellites. Our first small satellite Mauve will measure the activity of nearby stars, helping scientists understand the impact of powerful stellar flares on exoplanets and the prospects of harbouring life. This funding enables us to launch Mauve by early 2025 and accelerate the deployment of subsequent satellites already under development, with the backing of SPARX and SFC Capital.”
Tadashi Kito from SPARX Group Co. Ltd, said: “We are delighted to partner with Blue Skies Space and help accelerate the implementation of their vision. Their unique data service will bring exciting new opportunities for space research and be the first commercial offering in a landscape only served by governments today. We look forward to seeing Mauve and Twinkle followed by a fleet of dedicated science satellites.”
Jason Druker, Portfolio Manager of SFC Capital, said: “We have been backing Marcell and his team at Blue Skies Space for multiple years and are delighted to continue providing our support. They have demonstrated strong commercial traction and continuous operational progress towards the imminent launch of their satellites.”
