Space

Seraphim Space Accelerator reveals Mission 14 cohort

Posted 8 October 2024

Seraphim Space, known as Generation Space in the US, which runs a dedicated accelerator for startups in the global space tech industry, has announced the companies participating in Mission 14.

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Since 2018 the accelerator has been working with early-stage SpaceTech companies on a global scale. To date, supporting 109 companies across 30 countries, helping them raise over $540 million in funding for the first time. Seraphim findsand supports early-stage companies through every stage of their journey. There have been many success stories from the alumni over the years, recently Xona Space Systems, from Mission 3, who earlier this year raised a $19 million Series A from new and current investors including Seraphim.

This year the space sector has continued to demonstrate robust growth and resilience evidenced by consecutive quarters of investment recovery. Q2 2024 saw $2.41 billion invested, bringing the total investment over the past twelve months to $8.5 billion. The growth in investment this quarter was primarily driven by a large volume of deals across from series A to series C, indicating stronger investor confidence in early-stage SpaceTech ventures. The Accelerator’s track record and unique position at the epicentre of the ‘New Space’ ecosystem continues to attract early-stage startups from all over the world – with this year’s cohort being scouted from seven countries. For the first time, companies from Saudi Arabia, Chile and Turkey are joining the cohort, demonstrating SpaceTech’s global significance and growth. Mission 14 participants focus on key areas like data analytics, earth observation and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging insights from space, these startups are driving advancements that will positively impact life on Earth.

Seraphim Space continues to strengthen its collaboration with corporate partners and industry bodies, including Dentons, ESA, JSAT, NEC, NSIFF, Telespazio, Thales, UK Space Agency and KPMG, who have been instrumental in supporting this cohort. Acquora earned a place on the programme as a ‘#TeC Fellow’ after winning the Telespazio’s Technology Contest.

Acquora (#T-TeC Fellow) – (Chile)Acquora addresses the $1 trillion water management market while prioritising sustainable access to this essential resource for all. By leveraging innovative technology, it optimises distribution systems, allowing water utilities to reinvest increased revenues into infrastructure and conservation efforts.
Artemis Earth Ltd – (UK) Artemis Earth delivers scalable biodiversity monitoring via satellite technology, enabling organisations to meet ESG goals, adhere to regulatory frameworks and make informed, sustainable decisions.
Constellation Technologies & Operations – (France) Constellation Technologies & Operations empowers telecom operators to deliver high-performance, affordable, sustainable internet services to their clients through a disruptive broadband constellation of telecommunications satellites.
Flypix AI GmbH – (Germany) Flypix AI GmbH is a SaaS AI platform to understand the Earth from satellite and drone imagery.
Forg3D – (UK) Forg3D is bringing metal manufacturing into the digital age with 3D printed forgings, changing industry on Earth and beyond.
ManufactureAI – (US) ManufactureAI develops generative AI tools to reduce the time and cost of scaling hardware production. Its platform integrates real-time data from factory floors, optimizing manufacturing processes, with its flagship product Launchflow leading the way.
Planetary Systems Corporation (dba Planetary Systems AI) – (US) PSAI builds AI, machine-learning applications and digital twin technology to accelerate data flow, interoperability, and insight intelligence for decision-making in the space sector, optimising planetary support operations.
ROVIAL SAS – (France) ROVIAL is pioneering AI-enabled robotics for orbital assembly, repair and service of space infrastructure. Their vision is to create hyper-powerful satellites & autonomous Orbital Outposts that produce sustainable space power for diverse applications.
SARsatX – (Saudi Arabia) SARsatX develops a vertically integrated constellation of SAR and optical satellites, powering a customisable Earth observation platform that delivers near-real-time insights tailored to diverse use cases.
Spacelis – (Turkey) SPACELIS is developing cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight flexible solar cell technologies to lead sustainable energy solutions for space exploration. With an innovative design and focus on specific power efficiency, SPACELIS is set to transform power systems for satellites, space missions and terrestrial applications, driving environmental sustainability and deep-tech innovation.
Tiami Networks – (US) Tiami Networks designs robust, 5G software-defined ground and space systems with Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) capabilities, delivering secure, real-time data and communications for critical applications and high-security environments.

Alexander Holt, Managing Director, Seraphim Space Enterprise: “The Mission 14 cohort comes at an exciting time for global space innovation. Space investment has remained strong despite a challenging funding environment for the broader tech sector. In the last 12 months, over $8.5 billion has been invested into space-related startups, compared with $5.1 billion over the same period a year ago. Over the last six years, our accelerator alumni have secured investments of more than $540 million and this new cohort will bring world-changing ideas to inception, helping shape the future of the space economy.”

Joe Cassidy, Seraphim Client Lead Partner, and Jonathon Gill, Global & UK Head of Industrial Manufacturing & Defence at KPMG: “The Seraphim Accelerator programme invests in pioneering entrepreneurial SpaceTech businesses to drive pace and focus in a sector that is a key strategic industrial and technological asset for the UK. We at KPMG are extremely proud of our deepening relationship with Seraphim and look forward to supporting pioneering businesses to scale up and shoot for the stars.

"Digital infrastructure in space supports human life on earth, from communication on smartphones, the transition to cashless societies, autonomous mobility and smart cities.

"Space-led technology is disrupting every industry on the planet including defence, insurance, agriculture, financial services, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare and manufacturing to name a few. As well as presenting opportunities for advancement for humanity, space is also a highly congested and contested environment with nations competing with one another.“