Google-backed Pixxel Secures $100M in Series C Funding for Indian Space Tech
Pixxel, an Indian Earth observation company specializing in hyperspectral imaging, has raised a substantial $100M in a Series C round led by Singapore’s Temasek and the London-listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust. This marks the largest single investment round for any Indian space technology company, bringing their total capital to $195M.
The new funding round attracted two new investors: 360 ONE Asset and South Korean firm IMM Investment, alongside existing backers Radical Ventures and growX Ventures. While Google’s early-stage investment is not included this time, Seraphim’s contribution of $25M is noteworthy as it is one of the few publicly traded vehicles offering direct exposure to early-stage space startups.
Pixxel offers hyperspectral imagery, breaking down reflected light into hundreds of narrow bands to provide detailed chemical signatures in images. This technology can detect crop diseases, methane leaks, mineral content, and water quality. The company has already launched six Firefly satellites over the past two years, forming the highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral constellation in orbit.
The funding will be allocated to:
- Honeybee constellation, expected to launch in 2027
- High-resolution optical and synthetic aperture radar satellites
- Further development of Aurora, their browser-based analysis platform
- Construction of a manufacturing facility named Gigapixxel
"Years ago, we set out to build a health monitor for the planet," said Awais Ahmed, Pixxel’s founder and CEO. "This new investment gives us the scale to turn that vision into planetary infrastructure."
Pixxel boasts impressive customers like NASA and the US National Reconnaissance Office, who awarded them a five-year hyperspectral data agreement in 2023. Domestically, they were selected by India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, to lead a consortium building a 12-satellite national Earth observation constellation.
This round highlights the growing interest in commercial space technology and the model of public-private partnerships, which European operators have been pursuing for years.