Ahmedabad-based space-tech startup SatLeo Labs has raised USD 3.3 million in pre-seed funding to develop high-resolution thermal and visible imaging technology from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The funding round was led by Merak Ventures with participation from Huddle Ventures, GVFL, Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and angel investors Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua.
The company stated that the funds will be utilised to develop SatLeo’s proprietary thermal imaging payload, conduct feasibility studies, secure regulatory approvals, and expand its team and infrastructure. It aims to validate its technology through pilot testing and strengthen partnerships within the space sector.
“Each 1°C rise in temperature can reduce global GDP by up to 10%. Our thermal data helps detect risks before they turn into billion-dollar losses, from crop failures to wildfires,” said Shravan Bhati, co-founder and CEO at SatLeo Labs.
SatLeo is developing a dual-band thermal payload for fused multispectral imaging, with applications spanning agriculture, environmental conservation, urban planning, and defence. Co-founder and CSO Urmil Bakhai noted that the global market for Earth Observation data is projected to exceed $700 billion by 2030.
SatLeo has secured over $25 million in Letters of Intent from prospective clients and is collaborating with ISRO and IN-SPACe. The team comprises former ISRO scientists, positioning it to make a significant impact on the geospatial analytics sector.
“We’re backing them for a genuine tech breakthrough that makes thermal data more useful, accessible and affordable,” said Sheetal Bahl, partner at Merak Ventures.
The company plans to launch its first thermal imaging satellite soon, delivering cost-effective and scalable space-based intelligence solutions globally.
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