Startup Rankings
Top Aerospace Startups in Vaud 2026
Last updated · 13 companies · compiled from public data sources
Vaud is home to 13 aerospace startups tracked in this 2026 ranking, spanning satellite operations, propulsion, in-orbit services, and drone technology. The cluster reflects deep ESA BIC alumni presence - 11 of the 13 companies have completed or are currently in the ESA BIC program - alongside emerging ventures focused on space infrastructure and autonomous systems.
Funding patterns show significant capital concentration at the top: the leading three companies have raised over $180 million combined, while mid-tier startups cluster between $1-5 million in total funding. Cities including Lausanne, Renens, Ecublens, and Villeneuve host the majority of these operations, with specialization ranging from photonics and composite materials to space traffic management and orbital logistics.
- 1.
Neural Concept
Lausanne · €254.1M disclosed funding
Neural Concept provides AI-powered software for product design and simulation across industries including aerospace. The company closed a $100 million Series C led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives in December 2025 and recently launched an AI Design Copilot at CES 2026, signaling rapid commercialization of its deep-learning platform for engineering workflows.
Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 2.
Ligentec
Ecublens · founded 2016 · €49.1M disclosed funding
Ligentec manufactures photonic integrated circuits for LiDAR, datacom, quantum computing, and space communications since its founding in 2016. The company received the Scale-Up Vaud 2026 label and partners in the 15-million-euro PhotonHub PHACTORY initiative, reflecting its growing role in integrated photonics manufacturing for aerospace applications.
Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 3.
PAVE Space
Villeneuve · founded 2024 · €323.4M disclosed funding
PAVE Space, founded in 2024, develops in-space logistics and propulsion systems for orbital operations. The startup secured a $40 million seed round led by Visionaries Club and Creandum, and signed a memorandum of understanding with ESA in October 2025 for in-space infrastructure development, demonstrating rapid institutional traction.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 4.
Involi
Lausanne · €6.3M disclosed funding
Involi operates a real-time air traffic surveillance platform and receiver network for drone operations and airspace management. The company is currently an ESA BIC participant and announced the VistaTrack platform in June 2025, building on its foundation in drone airspace integration and medical air mobility services.
Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 5.
EH Group Engineering
Nyon · founded 2017 · €75.9M disclosed funding
EH Group Engineering, established in 2017, develops hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems for marine, aviation, and stationary power applications. The company has raised $32.3 million from investors including Google Accelerator, AWS Clean Energy Accelerator 4.0, and Safran, with recent partnership news with Advent announced in April 2026.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 6.
Flybotix
Switzerland · founded 2019 · €26.5M disclosed funding
Flybotix manufactures inspection drones for confined spaces with extended flight times and AI analytics, serving planetary and industrial missions. The company closed a Series A extension round of approximately $10 million in September 2025 and expanded its European reach with a new distributor for Germany in April 2025.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 7.
CompPair Technologies
Lausanne · founded 2020 · €6.7M disclosed funding
CompPair Technologies develops self-healing composite materials and repair technology for aerospace and mobility applications, founded in 2020. The company received FIT support in December 2024 and announced new funding in February 2026 to accelerate market deployment, while securing sustainable materials partnerships with rail operators.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 8.
CYSEC
Lausanne · €6.5M disclosed funding
CYSEC provides cybersecurity solutions for satellite systems and confidential computing applications. The company raised a seed extension of 4 million francs led by Line Break Capital and won a 100,000-euro prize in the EUSPA CASSINI Challenges Competition in January 2026, alongside announcing a strategic partnership with FENTISS for space system security.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 9.
Coactum
Bex · €4.4M disclosed funding
Coactum develops satellite positioning and movement solutions for Earth orbit operations, enabling in-space transportation with standalone small satellites. The company received ESA Boost co-funding of 390,000 euros for propellant storage system development, supporting its technology for accessing high Earth orbits and beyond.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 10.
EM Path
Renens · €1.3M disclosed funding
EM Path accelerates satellite antenna development with a compact, real-time RF testing solution that eliminates the need for anechoic chambers. The currently active ESA BIC participant raised 150,000 francs from Venture Kick in June 2024 and received 234,000 USD in accelerator funding in January 2026.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 11.
Clearspace
Renens · founded 2018 · €51k disclosed funding
Clearspace, founded in 2018, operates an in-orbit servicing company specializing in satellite inspection, life extension, and debris removal missions. The company holds a space debris removal mission contract from ESA and collaborated with CSEM to develop spacecraft vision systems, positioning itself as a leader in orbital sustainability.
Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
- 12.
Cfs Engineering
Lausanne · €4.5M disclosed funding
CFS Engineering provides computational fluids and structures engineering services for aerospace and engineering applications. The company received European Union grant funding totaling over 415,000 euros through the AGILE 4.0 project and contributes to reusable launch vehicle development through collaborative EU-funded initiatives.
Sources: EU CORDIS research projects
- 13.
Rigi Technologies
Lausanne · €37 disclosed funding
RigiTech develops a VTOL drone delivery system with cloud-based logistics management, linking hospitals, warehouses, and businesses with long-range drone operations. The company raised a Series A round in January 2023 and recently partnered with Volatus Aerospace for medical delivery services, while XTI Aerospace's Drone Nerds business incorporated the RigiTech Eiger drone into its enterprise portfolio.
Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC
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Companies are ranked by a composite score of disclosed funding, programme participation (ESA BIC, EU research projects), cross-source presence, and data recency, all compiled from public sources. If your aerospace startup belongs on this list, sign up and we'll review it for the next update.