Simera Sense, a startup originating in South Africa and specializing in providing comprehensive optical solutions for small satellite earth observation, announced securing €13.5 million ($15.255 million) in its initial growth investment round.
The joint investment, sourced from NewSpace Capital and Knife Capital, aims to fuel its scaling efforts in response to increasing client demand.
This investment is poised to advance Simera Sense’s expansion initiatives, particularly in bolstering its current production capacity and establishing new production sites across Europe.
Concurrently, the company intends to bolster its product development teams and elevate customer service standards in the European market.
According to a statement from Knife Capital, this investment will accelerate the development of higher-resolution and short-wave infrared camera products. The financiers also emphasize the importance of integrating groundbreaking on-board data processing into the camera control electronics, potentially revolutionizing the industry.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Simera Sense,Johann Du Toit affirmed their commitment to enhancing production capacity to meet client demand and streamline delivery times, while also advancing the development of on-board data processing solutions.
Catering to a global clientele within the Earth observation data and services sector, the firm is positioned in a market projected to grow from $12.55 billion in 2024 to approximately $20.73 billion by 2029, as per Knife Capital’s forecasts.
Managing Director of NewSpace Capital, Bogdan Gogulancommended Simera Sense’s team for their unique blend of technical expertise, commercial acumen, resilience, and humility.
He expressed confidence in their ability to pioneer on-board data processing, foreseeing a transformative impact on the market.
Headquartered in Belgium, Simera Sense serves esteemed clients such as AAC Clyde Space, Open Cosmos, Nara Space, and OHB Systems AG.
The company also collaborates with various European institutions and partners with numerous firms to explore opportunities in the ‘New Space’ domain.