Seraphim Space launches Mission 14 accelerator

09 Oct 2024, 05:06 by Alun Williams · Electronics Weekly.com

Seraphim Space, the space-focused VC, has announced the 11 startups that will feature in its latest accelerator programme, Mission 14.

Applications addressed companies include biodiversity monitoring, AI robotics, solar cells, internet services, SaaS AI, digital twin technology – all involving, to some extent, space or space-based technology.

Mission 14

The eleven selected are:

Acquora – (Chile)
Artemis Earth Ltd – (UK)
Constellation Technologies & Operations – (France)
Flypix AI GmbH – (Germany)
Forg3D – (UK)
ManufactureAI – (US)
Planetary Systems Corporation – (US)
ROVIAL SAS – (France) ROVIAL
SARsatX – (Saudi Arabia)
Spacelis – (Turkey)
Tiami Networks – (US)

Note that Acquora earned a place on the programme as a ‘#TeC Fellow’ after winning a Telespazio Technology Contest.

“The Mission 14 cohort comes at an exciting time for global space innovation,” said Alexander Holt, Managing Director of Seraphim Space Enterprise (pictured). “Space investment has remained strong despite a challenging funding environment for the broader tech sector.”

“In the last 12 months, over $8.5 billion has been invested into space-related startups, compared with $5.1 billion over the same period a year ago. Over the last six years, our accelerator alumni have secured investments of more than $540 million, and this new cohort will bring world-changing ideas to inception, helping shape the future of the space economy.”

In terms of collaboration with corporate partners and industry bodies, Seraphim has been working with entities such as Dentons, ESA, JSAT, NEC, NSIFF, Telespazio, Thales, UK Space Agency and KPMG.

For example, KPMG highlighted the key strategic role of space:

“The Seraphim Accelerator programme invests in pioneering entrepreneurial SpaceTech businesses to drive pace and focus in a sector that is a key strategic industrial and technological asset for the UK,” said Jonathon Gill, Global & UK Head of Industrial Manufacturing & Defence at KPMG.

“We at KPMG are extremely proud of our deepening relationship with Seraphim and look forward to supporting pioneering businesses to scale up and shoot for the stars.”

Space Sector

For context, for the launch of Mission 14, Seraphim sized space sector investment…

According to the VC, 2024 Q2 saw $2.41bn invested, bringing the total investment over the past twelve months to $8.5bn.

It said growth in the quarter was primarily driven by a large volume of deals across from series A to series C. This indicates stronger investor confidence in early-stage SpaceTech ventures, it suggested.

Global

As can be seen, this year’s cohort was scouted from seven countries. For the first time, companies from Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Turkey are involved, “demonstrating SpaceTech’s global significance and growth” says Seraphim.

To date, Seraphim has supported 109 companies across 30 countries, in accelerators, helping them raise over $540 million in funding., highlights the company.