D-Orbit, the Italian spacetech scaleup announces that it has completed the second closing of its EUR 150m Series C round.
The collection was bolstered by D-Orbit’s track record of 16 successful missions; 14 ION Satellite Carriers, the company’s proprietary orbital transfer vehicle, have been launched into orbit since 2020 and seven more launches are planned for 2025. These missions allowed the company to test both D-Orbit’s proprietary technologies and pioneering third-party innovations in orbit. The tests range from sensors designed to track and map the size, velocity and paths of sub-centimetre-sized debris to help protect satellites from collisions, to AI/ML applications designed, for example, to detect floods early and transmit flood maps to emergency responders, thereby accelerating response times to environmental crises, potentially saving lives and minimising damage to communities.
The funding enables D-Orbit to continue developing its capacities in space cloud computing and on-orbit servicing. It will also facilitate and accelerate collaborations with governments and space agencies, as well as expand the reach of its customers across geographic and industrial sectors. It is also expected that part of the funds will be used to make strategic acquisitions in order to expand the company’s product range.
The round is led by Japanese industrial giant Marubeni Corporation, consolidating a long-term business partnership set to revolutionise the space logistics industry. The partnership builds on Marubeni’s exclusive rights to distribute D-Orbit’s services in Japan, now expanding into Southeast Asia, and leverages Marubeni’s extensive network and expertise to accelerate D-Orbit’s growth as a leading provider of satellite logistics solutions in key global markets.
D-Orbit’s exceptional market position and growth prospects also led to the participation of existing investors CDP Venture Capital, Seraphim Space Investment Trust, Indaco Venture Partners, Neva SGR, a venture capital company of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, and Primo Ventures.
The breadth of the round also allowed new investors to join the shareholder register, including Avantgarde, a family office with roots in the pharmaceutical and space industries, Iberis Capital, a Portuguese private equity and venture capital portfolio manager, the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund that supports innovative companies changing the world, Phaistos Investment Fund, a venture capital fund managed by 5G Ventures and backed by the Greek state, and private investors with a focus on technology investments. In addition, a consortium led by current shareholder United Ventures, including the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, participates, reaffirming strong support for the company’s strategic plan.
These funds will support the development of a circular space economy, turning space debris into a valuable resource. This will include advances in on-orbit servicing to enable the collection and recycling of debris in orbit, as well as the production of spacecraft for interplanetary travel. With the increasing number of satellite launches, D-Orbit is committed to promoting space sustainability and environmental responsibility. The company is ready to expand its services to include satellite life extension and space debris removal, in addition to its existing satellite deployment and in-orbit payload services.
Thanks to this collection, D-Orbit can now reap the benefits of global investments and developments in the space sector, where over time the company has steadily gained a competitive position in both the commercial and institutional markets.
Luca Rossettini, CEO of D-Orbit (pictured), comments in a note: ‘We are thrilled to have completed our record-breaking Series C round, significantly improving our operations and accelerating our global initiatives. This investment reinforces our commitment to innovation in space transportation, on-orbit services and the broad space logistics sector. We deeply appreciate the support of our investors, both new and existing, as we continue to advance the space sector with commitment and passion.”
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