Loft Orbital Secures $170 Million in Series C Funding, Accelerating Space Infrastructure Innovation
Space infrastructure company Loft Orbital has raised $170 million in its Series C funding round, co-led by Tikehau Capital and Axial Partners. This latest investment surpasses the $160 million the company has raised as its inception in 2017, marking a critically important milestone in its growth trajectory.Loft Orbital declined to disclose its valuation, but according to PitchBook, its post-money valuation during its $130 million Series B round in 2021 was $550 million. The Series C round also saw participation from Bpifrance, Foundation Capital, Temasek, and Uncork Capital, bringing the company’s total lifetime funding to $330 million.Capital Efficiency and Revenue Growth
While Loft Orbital did not reveal specific revenue figures, co-founder and COO alex Greenberg shared with TechCrunch that the company has achieved 100% revenue growth for two consecutive years. “We’ve achieved over $500 million of bookings on only $160 million of capital raised prior to this Series C. In an industry known for its capital intensity, we are proud of our capital efficiency,” Greenberg said. “Right now we’re really focused on profitability and getting the business to sustainability.”
Satellite Deployment and Customer Base
Loft Orbital has sold over 30 satellites and deployed more than 25 customer missions across its five satellites launched to date. Its impressive client roster includes NASA, Microsoft, Anduril,and BAE Systems,among others.
founded in January 2017, Loft Orbital’s mission is to “make it simple for organizations to deploy and operate missions in space.” The company simplifies the process by purchasing standard satellites from vendors like Airbus and LeoStella, than outfitting them with customer payloads. This approach eliminates the need for customers to purchase, operate, and manage their own hardware and ground segment networks.
“Unlike others in the industry, we’re not designing satellites for specific missions — we’re configuring existing components of our satellite platform,” Greenberg explained. “think of it like Lego building blocks.”
Virtual Missions and AI in Space
Loft Orbital also offers “virtual missions,” enabling customers to deploy software apps onto its satellites to leverage on-board sensors and compute nodes. This allows real-time data analysis and a wide range of use cases.
The company has been especially active in advancing AI in space, recently launching YAM-6, a satellite dedicated to running AI applications. Greenberg outlined plans to use the new capital to scale satellite launches from a handful per year to ten-plus annually. Additionally, loft aims to expand its virtual missions and AI business, allowing customers to create AI systems in their own cloud—such as wildfire detection—and deploy them onto Loft satellites.
strategic Partnerships and expansion
Loft Orbital’s recent joint venture with Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space has also been a key progress. the partnership, announced last August, raised over $100 million from a holding company affiliated with an Emirati royal family, aimed at scaling satellite production in the Middle East.
Key Highlights of Loft Orbital’s Growth
| Metric | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Series C Funding | $170 million, co-led by Tikehau Capital and Axial Partners |
| Total Lifetime Funding | $330 million |
| Revenue Growth | 100% growth for two consecutive years |
| Satellite Sales | Over 30 satellites sold |
| Customer missions | Over 25 missions deployed across five satellites |
| Notable Clients | NASA, Microsoft, Anduril, BAE Systems |
| AI in Space | YAM-6 satellite dedicated to running AI applications |
Looking Ahead
With its latest funding, Loft Orbital is poised to accelerate its mission of simplifying space infrastructure for organizations. Greenberg emphasized the company’s focus on profitability and sustainability, while expanding its AI ecosystem and satellite production capabilities.
As Loft Orbital continues to innovate, its strategic partnerships and capital efficiency position it as a leader in the rapidly evolving space infrastructure industry.
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Stay updated on Loft Orbital’s groundbreaking advancements by visiting their official website and exploring their latest projects.
Loft Orbital’s $170 Million Series C Funding: A Deep Dive into Space Infrastructure Innovation
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In a significant milestone for the space industry, Loft Orbital has secured $170 million in Series C funding, co-led by tikehau Capital and Axial Partners. This latest investment brings the company’s total lifetime funding to $330 million, underscoring its rapid growth and innovative approach to simplifying space infrastructure. To unpack the implications of this funding and Loft Orbital’s future trajectory, we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading space industry analyst and former NASA consultant, for an exclusive interview.
Capital Efficiency and Revenue Growth
senior Editor: Dr. Carter, Loft Orbital has achieved 100% revenue growth for two consecutive years.What does this tell us about their business model and capital efficiency?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s remarkable, really. loft Orbital has managed to generate over $500 million in bookings with just $160 million in prior funding. This level of capital efficiency is rare in the space industry, which is typically known for its high costs and long advancement cycles. Their approach of using standardized satellite platforms, rather than designing custom satellites for each mission, allows them to scale quickly and reduce overhead.This is a game-changer for the industry.
Satellite Deployment and Customer Base
Senior Editor: Loft Orbital has sold over 30 satellites and deployed more than 25 customer missions. Who are some of their key clients, and what does this say about their market position?
Dr. Emily Carter: Their client roster is notable—NASA, Microsoft, Anduril, and BAE Systems, to name a few.These partnerships highlight Loft Orbital’s ability to cater to both government and commercial sectors. By offering a “shared satellite” model, they’ve made space missions more accessible to organizations that might not have the resources to build and launch their own satellites. This democratization of space infrastructure is a big part of their appeal.
Virtual Missions and AI in Space
Senior Editor: One of loft Orbital’s standout offerings is their “virtual missions,” which allow customers to deploy software apps on their satellites. How significant is this innovation, especially in the context of AI applications?
Dr. Emily Carter: Virtual missions are a brilliant concept. they allow customers to leverage Loft Orbital’s existing satellite infrastructure to run their own applications, whether for Earth observation, dialogue, or AI-driven analytics. The YAM-6 satellite, as an example, is dedicated to running AI applications in space. This opens up a world of possibilities,from real-time data processing to autonomous decision-making in orbit. It’s a step toward making space more interactive and responsive to real-world needs.
Looking Ahead: Profitability and Sustainability
Senior Editor: With this new funding, Loft Orbital is focusing on profitability and sustainability. What challenges do you foresee, and how might they navigate them?
Dr. Emily Carter: The space industry is inherently capital-intensive, so achieving profitability while scaling operations is no small feat. Loft Orbital’s focus on sustainability is commendable, especially as the industry grapples with issues like space debris and environmental impact. Their ability to balance growth with responsible practices will be key. Additionally, expanding their AI ecosystem and satellite production capabilities will require strategic partnerships and continued innovation. If they can maintain their current momentum, they’re well-positioned to lead the next wave of space infrastructure development.
Final Thoughts
Senior Editor: Any final thoughts on Loft Orbital’s trajectory and what this means for the broader space industry?
Dr. Emily Carter: Loft Orbital is a prime example of how innovation and efficiency can disrupt traditional industries. Their success signals a shift toward more collaborative and accessible space missions, which could accelerate advancements in areas like climate monitoring, global connectivity, and beyond. I’m excited to see how they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr.carter,for your insights. It’s clear that Loft Orbital is not just reaching for the stars—they’re redefining how we get there.
Stay updated on Loft Orbital’s groundbreaking advancements by visiting their official website and exploring their latest projects.
