What is Clearspace?
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Renens, Switzerland, Clearspace is at the forefront of addressing the escalating challenge of space debris. The company specializes in On-Orbit Servicing, a field crucial for extending the lifespan of satellites and maintaining the safety of Earth's orbit. Its mission extends to active debris removal, a complex undertaking vital for the long-term viability of space exploration and utilization. The company's focus on this critical niche positions it as a key player in the burgeoning space economy, attracting substantial enterprise-level funding.
How much funding has Clearspace raised?
Clearspace has raised a total of $33.2M across 2 funding rounds:
Unspecified
$4.4M
Series A
$28.8M
Unspecified (2021): $4.4M with participation from The Flying Object Fund, Dedicated, and Swisscom
Series A (2023): $28.8M led by Lakestar, OTB Ventures, Swisscom Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Happiness Capital, Luxembourg Future Fund, and 600 T Space Investments
Key Investors in Clearspace
Lakestar
Lakestar is a venture capital firm dedicated to partnering with visionary tech entrepreneurs to fund innovative ideas and companies that shape modern life. They focus on sectors such as Deep Tech, Healthcare, Fintech, and Digitalisation, investing with a long-term perspective from Seed to Growth stages. Lakestar is embedded in the European technology ecosystem, leveraging their extensive connections and expertise to support ambitious founders.
OTB Ventures
OTB Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on elevating European deep-tech startups, particularly in the areas of Enterprise AI & Data, SpaceTech, and Novel Computing. They support founders in the late Seed and Series A stages, helping them scale their innovative technologies into impactful global companies.
In-Q-Tel
In-Q-Tel (IQT) is a notforprofit strategic investment firm that acts as the U.S. national security communitys venture arm, identifying and investing in earlystage commercial technology companies worldwide to deliver capabilities in areas like space, biotech, microelectronics, AI, and energy for the CIA, broader Intelligence Community, DoD, and allied agencies.
What's next for Clearspace?
The recent Series A financing, characterized as a major strategic investment, signals Clearspace's transition into a scaling phase. This capital infusion is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of its servicing and debris removal technologies. With a clear mandate to tackle one of space's most pressing issues, Clearspace is poised to expand its operational capabilities and market reach. Future growth will likely involve securing further strategic partnerships and potentially larger funding rounds as the demand for orbital sustainability solutions intensifies.
See full Clearspace company page
