OKAPI:Orbits secures 5.5 million euros with seed financing round
Published on Tue, 14.06.2022 – 11:34 CEST in Financials, covering OKAPI:OrbitsThe Braunschweig-based start-up led by Kristina Nikolaus, Christopher Kebschull, Jonas Radtke and Sven Müller wants to prevent satellites from colliding with space debris and other satellites. The core product is software that can automatically detect potential hazards.
In einer Seed-Finanzierungsrunde sicherte sich das Unternehmen nun die Unterstützung von Investoren. Insgesamt 5,5 Millionen Euro stellen VC-Firmen und Business Angels zur Verfügung. Angeführt wird die Runde von Munich Re Ventures, zudem beteiligen sich auch Dolby Familiy Ventures, Apex Ventures und Herius Capital.
Business angel capital
OKAPI:Orbits was able to secure further capital from renowned business angels. Firstly, from Dr. Ingo Luge, who was, among other things, Chairman of the Board of Management at E.ON from 2006 to 2018 and has been a member of the Supervisory Board at thyssenkrupp since 2018. Andreas Kupke, founder of FINANZCHECK.de, is also on board. The "technology enthusiast" has already invested in Isar Aerospace and has been Chairman of the Board at Berlin-based start-up LiveEO since March 2021. The Vice President of SAP Christian Dahlen and former manager of Black Bridge Michael Oxfort complete the round. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
We’re building the first-ever tool designed to maximize profits and secure zero impact in the precious space environment. With OKAPI: Orbits, everyone who is working in and with space has can access critical information with just one click, integration into customer systems takes less than 10 minutes, and operators know exactly how missions can be optimised without interfering with others.
Kristina Nikolaus, CEO & Co-founder OKAPI:Orbits
Space debris and collision hazard
Of the nearly 5,800 active satellites in space (as of May 2022), OKAPI:Orbits says it has already prevented more than 50 from colliding. Potential sources of danger are not only the many satellites, whose number will multiply in the coming years. A particularly explosive issue is and remains space debris, which poses a long-term threat to the entire space industry. More than 130 million pieces of debris ranging in size from 1 mm to 1 cm orbit the Earth. As a result, there are up to 4 million collision warnings per year.
With the funding now raised, OKAPI:Orbits can further expand its space surveillance and automated collision avoidance offerings.
via OKAPI:Orbits, ESA, Business Insider, tech.eu
