What Involve Space does

Involve Space S.r.l. is an Italian deep-tech company founded in 2021 that operates autonomous stratospheric balloon platforms, marketed as pseudo-satellites, at approximately 20 km altitude for Earth observation, defense, and scientific applications. The company's product portfolio centers on two proprietary platforms — Stratostats® for sustained multi-day missions with active AI control and payloads up to 30 kg, and StratoRelay® for rapid deployment missions up to 10 hours — both powered by Neurostar®, an in-house AI wind-navigation system that autonomously adjusts altitude to maintain station-keeping. Sensor payloads capture electro-optical, infrared, multispectral, and (forthcoming) SAR imagery, which is processed through CLEAR, a proprietary GeoAI platform that converts natural-language queries into maps, KPIs, and operational reports.

The company generates revenue through custom stratospheric mission services sold to government agencies, armed forces, and enterprises in infrastructure monitoring and Earth observation; data and analytics subscriptions via the CLEAR platform; suborbital IOD/EDL rideshare missions for satellite payload validation; and educational products (Da Vinci Caelum®). Sales are conducted via direct enterprise outreach supported by US-based business development partners, with bespoke quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. As of early 2026, the company had completed over 200 flights totaling more than 600 flight hours, signed over €3.5M in commercial agreements in 2025, and raised approximately €16.5M cumulatively across grants (Takeoff Accelerator, Smart&Start Italia, EIC Accelerator), a €2.5M seed round led by Earlybird Venture Capital, and a €12.5M EIC Accelerator blended finance award.

Name

Involve Space

Legal name

Involve Space S.r.l.

Website

https://involvespace.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Involve Space is an Italian deep-tech company operating autonomous stratospheric balloon platforms (pseudo-satellites) at 20 km altitude for persistent Earth observation, defense ISR, and infrastructure monitoring, processing mission data through its proprietary CLEAR GeoAI platform for government and enterprise customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stratospheric Pseudo-Satellites and Aerospace Platforms

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)

Keywords

• Stratospheric pseudo-satellites
• High-altitude platform services
• Earth observation data
• Geospatial intelligence software
• Suborbital flight validation

Headquarters

HQ city

Lombardi

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Stratospheric Missions: End-to-end custom mission services including mission design, launch operations, data collection, and reporting via CLEAR. Customers specify payload, altitude, duration, and launch site. Sold directly to enterprises, government agencies, and research institutions.
2. Data-as-a-Service (CLEAR): CLEAR platform provides processed Earth observation data, analytics, KPI dashboards, thematic maps, anomaly analysis, and exportable operational reports. Customers access intelligence without owning hardware.
3. IOD Rideshare Program: Suborbital IOD (In-Orbit Delivery) rideshare for satellite and payload validation missions, offering access to near-space conditions for testing at a fraction of satellite mission cost.
4. Commercial Contracts (Infrastructure Monitoring, Defense, Earth Observation): Signed commercial agreements for infrastructure monitoring, Earth observation, and security applications. Company reported over €3.5M in signed agreements in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Involve Space designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous stratospheric pseudo-satellite balloon platforms (Stratostats® and StratoRelay®) that fly at approximately 20 km altitude to deliver high-resolution Earth observation, ISR, infrastructure monitoring, and suborbital flight validation services. The platforms are powered by Neurostar® AI for autonomous wind navigation and station-keeping, with mission data processed and delivered through the CLEAR GeoAI platform that converts geospatial data into maps, KPIs, and operational reports.

Product overview

Involve Space offers a portfolio of stratospheric intelligence products and services centered on two proprietary pseudo-satellite platforms: Stratostats® (for sustained multi-day missions with active AI control, up to 30 kg payload) and StratoRelay® (for rapid deployment missions up to 10 hours with predictive trajectory modeling). These platforms are powered by Neurostar®, an AI system for autonomous wind navigation and station-keeping. The company provides the CLEAR GeoAI platform for processing and analyzing stratospheric data through natural language queries, generating maps, KPIs, and operational reports. Additional offerings include Custom Missions (bespoke stratospheric services) and IOD Rideshare (suborbital testing services). The portfolio also includes LoonHive® (balloon constellation technology) and Da Vinci Caelum® (educational payload kit).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stratostats®: AI-driven pseudo-satellite platform designed for sustained stratospheric operations with active AI control, station-keeping capability, up to 30kg payload capacity, and flight times of days to weeks.
• StratoRelay®
• Neurostar®
• CLEAR
• Da Vinci Caelum®
• LoonHive®

Products and services

• Stratostats® AI-driven stratospheric pseudo-satellite platform designed for sustained stratospheric operations enabling high-value observation, scientific, and security missions requiring persistence, control, and continuous data collection. Supports payloads up to 30 kg and delivers missions lasting days to weeks. Targets government, defense, and enterprise customers.
• StratoRelay® Lightweight stratospheric platform optimized for rapid mapping and situational awareness deployments. Uses predictive trajectory modeling without active AI control, carries integrated payloads up to 2 kg, and delivers missions up to 10 hours. Targets customers needing fast, short-duration stratospheric intelligence.
• CLEAR GeoAI Platform Proprietary GeoAI platform for processing and analyzing stratospheric geospatial data. Transforms natural language queries into maps, KPIs, and traceable reports, enabling data-driven decisions for enterprise, government, and research customers. Supports Electro-Optical, IR, Multispectral, and SAR data types.
• Custom Stratospheric Missions Bespoke stratospheric mission services operating between 20-30 km altitude for Earth observation, ISR, flight validation, and scientific research. Configurable missions engineered around specific objectives with rapid deployment and real-time tracking. Sold directly to enterprises, government agencies, and research institutions on multi-year contracts.
• IOD Rideshare Program Suborbital In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) rideshare program for satellite and payload suborbital testing, Entry/Descent/Landing (EDL) validation, atmospheric research missions, and high-altitude experimentation at a fraction of satellite mission cost.
• Da Vinci Caelum® DIY educational tool and space education kit for hands-on space missions and small payload experiments, targeting schools and universities to provide educational access to near-space conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ successful flights completed
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rhodium ScientificminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026MoU signed in April 2026 to collaborate on integrating space biotech experiments into Involve's stratospheric platforms, validating them in near-space conditions before deployment in orbit.
• ITA Italian Trade AgencyminorOthers · 1 January 2026ITA Italian Trade Agency Houston Office provided institutional support for US market entry and the Satellite Show 2026 in Washington D.C.
• Houston SpaceportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025Preliminary agreement signed to establish Involve's US presence and collaborate on enhancing stratosphere use within the US. First US launch conducted under FAA supervision from this location. US office and launch base inaugurated at 11602 Aerospace Avenue.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025Developing partnerships with NASA and leading industry players to accelerate research and development of advanced surveillance and communication platforms from Houston.
• Paolo NespolicoreOthers · 3 September 2024Former ESA Astronaut joined the Advisory Board, bringing extensive space experience. Also participated in LarioSpace events and company milestones.
• ZeroCO2minorOthers · 1 January 2023Sustainability partnership for reforestation projects to offset company emissions. Involve's forest is located in Guatemala, supporting local families and vulnerable communities while promoting ecosystem protection.
• ESA and ASIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngagements with the European Space Agency and Italian Space Agency for first scientific missions and institutional network building in 2022, including satellite and payload suborbital IOD.
• Telespazio (Lario Space Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted LarioSpace events at Telespazio's Centro Spaziale del Lario, a Leonardo Group company satellite telecommunications facility near Lake Como.
• Alastair WestgarthcoreOthersFormer CEO of Google Project Loon joined as Board Member and Executive Director. Brings extensive experience in global connectivity and stratospheric balloon operations from Google Loon.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sceye: US-based HAPS (High-Altitude Platform Station) developer building solar-powered stratospheric platforms for telecommunications, Earth observation, and national security missions. Directly competes with Involve Space in the stratospheric pseudo-satellite category for government and enterprise monitoring customers.
• Stratospheric Platforms Ltd: UK-based HAPS developer (backed by Collins Aerospace and others) developing a high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft platform for surveillance, communications, and Earth observation. Competes head-to-head with Involve Space for defense ISR and infrastructure monitoring contracts at 60,000+ ft.
• World View: US-based stratospheric balloon and remote-sensing company offering persistent monitoring, EO, and space tourism services from high-altitude balloons. Most direct US analogue of Involve Space's stratospheric balloon EO and ISR business model.
• Zero 2 Infinity: Spanish near-space stratospheric balloon company developing Bloostar and other high-altitude platforms for small satellite launches and Earth observation. Closest European peer to Involve Space's balloon-based stratospheric platform business.
• Mira Aerospace: UAE-based HAPS company backed by SoftBank developing solar-powered stratospheric pseudo-satellites for telecommunications and Earth observation. Competes with Involve Space in the HAPS category, particularly in EMEA and emerging markets.

Emerging players

• Near Space Labs: US-based startup operating a fleet of high-altitude balloons (SwarmRobotics) for high-resolution Earth observation and imagery analytics. Overlaps with Involve Space's stratospheric EO use cases but focused on a more limited altitude regime.

Broad incumbents

• Airbus Zephyr: Airbus subsidiary operating the Zephyr solar-powered HAPS platform for defense and commercial surveillance. A major European incumbent in the stratospheric pseudo-satellite category with deeper defense relationships and longer endurance profiles.
• Aerostar (TCOM): US-based stratospheric balloon manufacturer and operator (now part of TCOM) serving defense, intelligence, and commercial customers with persistent stratospheric platforms. Established incumbent overlapping with Involve Space's ISR and surveillance missions.
• Planet Labs: Public Earth observation satellite operator providing daily, global moderate-resolution imagery and analytics. Competes indirectly with Involve Space for EO/defense/monitoring budgets, offering scale and persistence that Involve Space targets with higher resolution at the cost of narrower coverage.
• Capella Space: US-based SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite operator delivering high-resolution all-weather imagery for defense, intelligence, and commercial monitoring. Competes with Involve Space's planned SAR payload offering for infrastructure monitoring and ISR contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/involvespace
• Instagraminstagram.com/involve.space

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Involve Space