Pixxel has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round led by Temasek and Seraphim, taking the Indian space technology company’s total funding to $195 million. The round also saw participation from 360 ONE Asset, IMM Investment, Radical Ventures, growX ventures, M&G Catalyst and other investors.
The Bengaluru and Los Angeles-based company said the funding will support its expansion beyond hyperspectral imaging into Earth intelligence software, satellite systems and satellite manufacturing. The round is the largest funding round raised by an Indian space technology company to date.
Pixxel initially focused on hyperspectral satellites designed to capture detailed information about the Earth’s surface across a wider range of wavelengths than conventional imaging systems. It has since expanded into Earth intelligence software through Aurora and satellite systems for commercial and government missions.
A major focus of the new funding will be Pixxel’s next-generation Honeybee hyperspectral constellation. The company plans to extend its sensing capabilities into shortwave infrared while also adding synthetic aperture radar and ultra-high-resolution optical imaging. The first Honeybee satellite is expected to launch in 2027.
The company also plans to develop Aurora, which brings together data from different satellite sensors and converts it into insights for applications across industries and government. Another focus will be sovereign Earth observation systems for civil, defence and intelligence missions, alongside increased satellite manufacturing capacity in India and the US.
Pixxel has deployed six Firefly satellites over the past two years, forming what it describes as the world’s highest resolution commercial hyperspectral constellation. The company has also launched Aurora and secured contracts with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office.
In India, Pixxel has participated in multiple iDEX challenges conducted by the Ministry of Defence and was selected by IN-SPACe to lead the development of a 12-satellite public-private Earth observation constellation. The company has also announced plans for an orbital data centre demonstration satellite.
The latest funding will be used to scale these satellite, software and manufacturing capabilities as Pixxel expands its role across the Earth observation and space technology sector.
Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel, said: “Years ago, we set out to build a health monitor for the planet. Hyperspectral imaging gave us a fundamentally new way to see Earth. This new investment gives us the scale to turn that vision into planetary infrastructure. More ways of sensing, more intelligence from every image, and more sovereign capability for nations. Our goal is to make a changing planet understandable in time to act.”
Mark Boggett, CEO at Seraphim Space, said: “Pixxel is exceptionally well-positioned across some of the most important themes shaping the future of the space sector, from AI-powered Earth observation and sovereign space capabilities to the rise of India as a global SpaceTech leader. We’re delighted to deepen our support as the company continues to scale.”
