Top Satellite Startups in Switzerland 2026

Ligentec manufactures photonic integrated circuits for LiDAR, datacom, quantum computing, and space communications using chip-scale optical technology. The company received 48 million EUR in EU-funded industrial silicon photonics consortium support and was awarded the Scale-Up Vaud 2026 label in January 2026.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

PAVE Space develops in-space logistics and propulsion systems for orbital operations and satellite deployment. Founded in 2024, the startup secured a 40 million USD seed round led by Visionaries Club and Creandum and signed a memorandum of understanding with ESA in October 2025.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Involi operates a real-time air traffic surveillance platform and receiver network for drone operations and airspace management using satellite navigation data. An ESA BIC alumnus, it has raised approximately 528,000 USD across multiple rounds and announced its VistaTrack system in June 2025.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

EH Group Engineering designs hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems for marine, aviation, and stationary power applications including space use. The company raised 32.3 million USD total with 16.8 million USD in Series A funding led by Safran Group and HyAccelerator.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Klepsydra Technologies provides an edge AI software framework for space, robotics, and aerospace applications with ESA qualification. Supported by Horizon 2020 and H2020 grants, the startup recently partnered with BrainChip on neuromorphic edge AI development in March 2026.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Onocoy operates a decentralized GNSS correction data network using blockchain technology for high-precision positioning. The company secured 1.5 million USD in non-dilutive ESA NAVISP Element 2 grant funding in July 2025 and completed a token generation event.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Flybotix manufactures inspection drones for confined spaces with extended flight times and AI analytics capabilities for planetary and terrestrial use. The company raised approximately 10 million USD in a Series A extension round in September 2025 led by a family office.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

NovoViz produces single-photon image sensors for high-sensitivity, high-speed camera systems serving aerospace and quantum imaging applications. The startup received FIT funding in May 2025 and has raised approximately 1.9 million USD as of March 2026.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

NematX develops on-earth and in-orbit 3D printing of high-performance polymer space components using liquid crystal polymers. The company, founded in 2020, raised approximately 1.46 million USD from multiple investors and secured strategic investment from a Japanese partner in July 2024.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Diramics manufactures ultra-low-noise pHEMT transistors and amplifiers for space ground stations and satellite communications. The ESA BIC alumnus received approximately 81,900 USD in grant funding in 2019 and participates in the EU-funded Move2THz project.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Menhir Photonics produces ultrafast femtosecond laser systems for timing, quantum technology, and microwave generation applications in space and terrestrial sectors. The startup received 1.25 million USD in US Air Force SBIR Phase II grant funding and unveiled a new production facility in August 2025.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

CYSEC offers cybersecurity solutions for satellite systems and confidential computing applications on ground and in orbit. The company raised 4 million CHF in seed extension funding led by Line Break Capital and won a 100,000 EUR prize in the EUSPA CASSINI Challenges in January 2026.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Coactum develops satellite positioning and movement solutions enabling in-space transportation to high Earth orbits and beyond. The ESA BIC alumnus received 390,000 EUR in co-funding from the ESA Boost program for propellant storage system development.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

DPhi provides an on-orbit compute platform hosting hardware payloads and software workloads on shared satellites to simplify space access. The company raised 2.1 million CHF in pre-seed funding led by QBIT Capital in February 2025 and launched Clustergate-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 in March 2025.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Chirp Light develops 4D FMCW LIDAR sensor technology for autonomous navigation in space and terrestrial systems, enabling robust approach and docking in extreme lighting conditions. An ESA BIC current participant, the company received 936,000 EUR in ESA BIC grant funding for sensor development.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

EM Path creates an RF testing solution for antenna and phased array characterization that eliminates the need for bulky anechoic chambers. The ESA BIC current participant raised approximately 400,000 USD from ESA BIC Switzerland, Venture Kick, and other sources.

Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Clearspace is an in-orbit servicing company conducting satellite inspection, life extension, and debris removal missions. The ESA BIC alumnus holds a service contract with ESA for the ClearSpace-1 space debris removal mission and works with CSEM on vision systems.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

Saphyrion designs and manufactures radiation-hardened ASICs and GNSS systems for space applications, including Galileo authentication platforms. The company received approximately 1.45 million EUR across multiple EU research and innovation grants and horizon programs.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects

Sarmap develops Earth observation software and services using SAR and optical remote sensing data for environmental and infrastructure monitoring. Founded in 1998, the company received EU H2020 funding for the STEADY project and continues advancing SAR analysis capabilities.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects

Gamma Remote Sensing develops SAR software and microwave remote sensing instruments for research and commercial applications. Founded in 1995, the company participates in the Horizon project NextGenCarbon and maintains strategic partnerships in Earth observation.

Sources: EU CORDIS research projects