Bengaluru firm Pixxel raises $100 million to build infrastructure for a changing planet

The funding will accelerate Pixxel’s expansion beyond hyperspectral imaging as it builds planetary infrastructure spanning advanced sensing satellites, earth intelligence software, sovereign space systems, and satellite manufacturing

Published - September 07, 2026 11:48 am IST - Bengaluru

A file photo of the Pixxel team at work. Pixxel began with hyperspectral satellites that could reveal information about the Earth’s surface beyond what conventional imagery could capture. Since then, the company has expanded its scope to include Aurora, its Earth intelligence software, and satellite systems for both commercial and sovereign space missions. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Bengaluru-based planetary infrastructure company Pixxel on September 7 announced the close of its $100 million Series C funding round, co-led by Temasek and Seraphim, with participation from new investors 360 ONE Asset, IMM Investment, and existing investors Radical Ventures, and growX ventures. This round brings Pixxel’s total funding to $195 million.

According to the firm, the investment marked the single largest funding round by a space technology company in India, and signalled the company’s next phase of growth as it broadens its role across the space-tech value chain.

Pixxel began with hyperspectral satellites that could reveal information about the Earth’s surface beyond what conventional imagery could capture. Since then, the company has expanded its scope to include Aurora, its Earth intelligence software, and satellite systems for both commercial and sovereign space missions.

Together, these form the core of Pixxel’s planetary infrastructure vision, connecting sensors, software, and space systems to help governments, industries, and institutions turn Earth observation into actionable intelligence.

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, Mr. Ahmed said adding, “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.”

The Series C funding is expected to accelerate four strategic priorities: Pixxel would extend its sensing capabilities through the Honeybee constellation, high-resolution optical imaging satellites, and other technologies, while further developing Aurora as the intelligence layer that combines these datasets into decision-ready insights.

The company would deepen its work on sovereign Earth observation systems and accelerate its manufacturing capacity through Gigapixxel, its next-generation facility designed for high-rate production of advanced satellites.

Over the past two years, Pixxel has deployed six Firefly satellites, forming the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral constellation, and launched Aurora, its Earth intelligence software platform. The company has secured contracts with NASA and the NRO, won multiple iDEX challenges of the Indian Ministry of Defence, unveiled plans for an orbital data-centre demonstration satellite, and has been selected to lead the development of India’s first public-private Earth observation constellation of 12 satellites under IN-SPACe, according to the company.

With the new funding, these efforts would further Pixxel’s goal of building the infrastructure needed to deliver intelligence for a changing planet.

Published - September 07, 2026 11:48 am IST

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