SPHERICAL
SPHERICAL is a Rotterdam-based aerospace electronics company that designs radiation-hardened, software-defined power subsystems and custom microchips for European satellite integrators, NewSpace operators, and space-defense programs via a fully European-controlled supply chain.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersNoordwijk, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SPHERICAL does
SPHERICAL is a Dutch aerospace electronics company that designs and delivers radiation-hardened, software-defined power subsystems and custom microchips for satellite integrators, NewSpace operators, and European space-defense programs. Its core product platform centers on a Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) supported by Power Distribution Units, Maximum Power Point Tracking electronics, and bespoke semiconductor designs, all engineered to 100+ krad radiation tolerance with SEL immunity and claimed 5x SWaP-C and 10x component-count reductions versus traditional systems. A distinctive feature is in-house microchip design combined with a fully European-controlled supply chain, positioning the company as a sovereign alternative to US-sourced rad-hard semiconductors that currently supply roughly half of European satellites.\n\nThe business model combines two revenue streams: (1) direct B2B hardware sales and custom semiconductor development to satellite integrators (Dark, Blackswan Space, Dawn Aerospace, Veoware, KMSense) typically structured as project-based engagements, and (2) competitive ESA and EU R&D program contracts won through tenders under FLPP, Boost!, Horizon Europe, EFRO, and Single Market Programme frameworks. Pricing is quote-based; reference contract values include €450,000 for two ESA FLPP tenders and €450,000 for the RASSS defense grant. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales with no reseller channel, supported by institutional validation through the ESA BIC network and recognition at INNOspace Masters, Deep Tech Momentum DTM100, and OHB Challenge.\n\nThe company was founded around 2022, is headquartered in Rotterdam, and as of July 2025 has raised over €6M in total funding across an Antler pre-seed (2023), an EIC Accelerator grant (2024), undisclosed institutional rounds, and the Holland High Tech MKB Defensie Call (2026), with NATO DIANA selection in 2025. SPHERICAL expanded into the United Kingdom in July 2025 via a Manchester-based subsidiary targeting civil and defence customers. The team of approximately 14 employees is led by founder/CEO Thomas Parry, CTO Faisal Awqati, COO Belen Hein, and CCO/co-founder Bastiaan Bom, with technical depth concentrated in IC and electronics design roles.
SPHERICAL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SPHERICAL
- Legal name
- SPHERICAL
- Website
- https://spherical-systems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SPHERICAL is a Rotterdam-based aerospace electronics company that designs radiation-hardened, software-defined power subsystems and custom microchips for European satellite integrators, NewSpace operators, and space-defense programs via a fully European-controlled supply chain.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SPHERICAL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Power Systems & Radiation-Hardened Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing (335311), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Solar Inverters, Power Optimizers & MLPE Manufacturing (EUAMAHAB), Medium/Low-Voltage Power Distribution (MCCs, Panels, UPS, Grounding) (EUAEAFAB)
Keywords
Where SPHERICAL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Noordwijk
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SPHERICAL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Power System Hardware Sales: Direct sales of power subsystems including PCDUs (Power Conditioning and Distribution Units), PDUs (Power Distribution Units), and Maximum Power Point Tracking systems to satellite integrators. Turnkey solutions designed for all orbits with over 7 years of reliable operation.
- ESA and EU R&D Project Contracts: SPHERICAL wins competitive tenders for ESA programs (FLPP, Boost!) and EU-funded R&D projects (Horizon Europe, EFRO). Projects include IMPULSE (€450k contract), PROPEL, and OMEGA development. These project-based contracts are typically 12-24 months in duration.
- Custom Semiconductor Development: On-demand microchip design services for aerospace applications. SPHERICAL develops tailor-made microprocessors and dedicated chips for specific customer requirements (e.g., Veoware CMG controller, KMSense sensor fusion).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | ESA R&D Project Contracts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SPHERICAL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SPHERICAL designs, manufactures and sells radiation-hardened satellite power subsystems and on-demand mission-specific microchips for space, aerospace and defense customers. Its product line includes the flagship Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU), standalone Power Distribution Units, Maximum Power Point Tracking units, and custom Dedicated power solutions, all built around in-house designed semiconductors on a fully European-controlled supply chain.
Product overview
SPHERICAL offers a modular satellite power and control product range centered on its flagship Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU). The product line consists of four main offerings: the PCDU (core product) for power conditioning and distribution, the Power Distribution Unit for standalone power distribution, Maximum Power Point Tracking for solar array optimization, and Dedicated Solutions for custom applications. All products are software-defined and radiation-hardened, delivering 5x better Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) performance compared to traditional power systems. The company also designs custom microchips/semiconductors for specific applications including motor control, sensor fusion, and laser satellite communication terminals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PCDU - Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit SPHERICAL's flagship radiation-hardened Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit for satellite platforms, delivering 5x better Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) than traditional systems and engineered for all orbits with 7+ years of reliable operation. Targeted at satellite integrators and space-defence primes needing software-defined, mission-configurable power conditioning.
- Power Distribution Unit (PDU) Standalone Power Distribution Unit for flexible integration with satellite platforms, available as part of SPHERICAL's modular power and control product range. Delivered to customers such as Dawn Aerospace under ESA Boost! for the OMEGA space-mobility service.
- Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Maximum Power Point Tracking unit for optimized solar-array energy harvesting on satellites, offered as part of SPHERICAL's modular power and control product line.
- Dedicated Solutions (Custom Power Systems) Custom-tailored power system solutions engineered for specific mission and customer requirements, leveraging SPHERICAL's in-house semiconductor and power-electronics capabilities. Used for unique or non-standard satellite power architectures.
- On-demand Mission-Specific Microchip Design Bespoke microchip design service where SPHERICAL develops tailor-made microprocessors and dedicated chips for specific aerospace customer requirements (e.g., Veoware CMG controller, KMSense sensor fusion, deltaVision PROPEL rad-hard motor-controller). Delivered with European supply chain sovereignty.
- Radiation-Hardened Semiconductor IP Proprietary radiation-hardened semiconductor building blocks rated to 100+ krad with SEL immunity, designed by pinpointing exact physical effects on transistors rather than relying on MIL-STD estimates. Used as the foundation for SPHERICAL's PCDU, PDU and MPPT products and as the basis for custom on-demand microchips.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5x improvement in Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C)
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use SPHERICAL
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SPHERICAL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature6 records
SPHERICAL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)coreConsortium partners for RASSS project (Radiation Assured Semiconductors for Strategic Autonomy). SPHERICAL leads semiconductor architecture and workflow development; NLR leads radiation physics modeling and experimental validation. NLR's experimental data feeds directly back into SPHERICAL's predictive tools.
- Blackswan SpacecoreSPHERICAL selected to supply high-performance power management systems to Blackswan Space for their autonomous navigation systems supporting Europe's ASTRAL mission. Blackswan's RPO Kit enables precise docking between spacecraft; SPHERICAL provides the reliable electrical backbone for computationally heavy autonomy software in space.
- UK Space AgencycoreUK Space Agency welcomed SPHERICAL's commitment to establishing UK operations. Support for SPHERICAL's UK subsidiary formation announced at UK Space Conference.
- esc AerospacecorePrime contractor for IMPULSE project under ESA FLPP. SPHERICAL designing and delivering standardized power-electronics module that orchestrates valves, heaters and sensors in spacecraft propulsion cluster. esc Aerospace provides the prime contractor role.
- deltaVisioncorePrime contractor for PROPEL project under ESA FLPP. SPHERICAL developing rad-hard motor-controller driving deltaVision's proportional pressure regulator. Addresses Europe's critical dependency on non-EU pressure-regulation hardware.
- Creotech InstrumentsminorEuropean partner mentioned alongside esc Aerospace and deltaVision in SPHERICAL's lean partnership model. SPHERICAL slots its power modules into partner stacks.
- DarkcoreCustomer contract with Dark to develop PCDU for HADES space defense mission. HADES is part of Interceptor program to develop counter-space capabilities that can be rapidly deployed. SPHERICAL delivers deeply configurable and highly reliable power system enabling rapid evolution of the HADES platform.
- Dawn AerospacecoreSPHERICAL subcontracted by Dawn Aerospace as part of ESA's Boost! programme to provide Power Distribution Unit for OMEGA - a subscription-based space mobility service. The customer-configurable power system offers 5x radiation reliability.
- VeowarecoreCollaboration supported by European Regional Development Fund. SPHERICAL designing dedicated microchip for Veoware's Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG). Proprietary design will drastically reduce electronics size, improve efficiency, while maintaining European supply chain.
- KMSensecoreCollaboration with leading aerospace company providing attitude determination products. SPHERICAL develops tailor-made microprocessor while KMSense improves effectiveness of their sensor fusion algorithm. Collaboration funded by Province of Zuid-Holland.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreESA provides multiple R&D project contracts through FLPP, Boost! programmes, and INGENIOUS Project. SPHERICAL participates in competitive tenders with 100% success rate. ESA recognized as key customer and programme partner.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SPHERICAL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics is a European semiconductor manufacturer with a space-grade product line and partnerships on European space programs. It competes as a large incumbent alternative for European rad-hard and rad-tolerant chip sourcing.
- Microchip Technology: Microchip Technology (including the former Microsemi space portfolio) is one of the largest suppliers of radiation-hardened and rad-tolerant semiconductors for space applications. It represents the legacy incumbent that SPHERICAL's European sovereign chip alternative is positioned against.
- CAES (formerly Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): CAES supplies radiation-hardened semiconductors and space-grade electronic components to defense and space primes. It competes with SPHERICAL's custom rad-hard chip business and serves many of the same aerospace customers.
- OHB System: OHB is a major European satellite prime contractor that awarded SPHERICAL its 2024 INNOspace Masters 'OHB Challenge' prize. As both customer and incumbent system integrator, OHB represents both a commercial channel and a competitive force in European space electronics.
- Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Beyond Gravity is a major European supplier of space electronics, structures, and launch systems with deep ESA and prime-contractor relationships. It is a broad incumbent whose power and electronics portfolio overlaps with SPHERICAL's radiation-hardened subsystems.
- Teledyne Technologies (Teledyne e2v): Teledyne e2v supplies radiation-hardened semiconductors, image sensors, and space-grade microprocessors used in satellite platforms. It overlaps directly with SPHERICAL's custom rad-hard microprocessor and sensor-fusion chip work.
Direct peers
- AAC Clyde Space: AAC Clyde Space designs and manufactures small satellite subsystems including power systems, on-board computers, and radio communication. It is a direct competitor to SPHERICAL's PCDU/PDU offerings in the small-satellite market.
- Sitael: Sitael is an Italian space company developing satellites, electric propulsion, and avionics including power management systems. It directly competes with SPHERICAL in European small-satellite power subsystems and propulsion electronics.
- ISISPACE: ISISPACE is a Dutch small-satellite integrator and subsystem provider offering power systems, communications, and attitude control. As a fellow Dutch NewSpace company in adjacent subsystems, it is a relevant peer in the same European ecosystem.
Others
- Alter Technology: Alter Technology specializes in testing, qualification, and distribution of space-grade and radiation-hardened electronic components. It is an ecosystem peer that supports and competes for space-electronics programs alongside SPHERICAL.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SPHERICAL social profiles
Digital presenceSPHERICAL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SPHERICAL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
SPHERICAL subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SPHERICAL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SPHERICAL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SPHERICAL
What does SPHERICAL do?
SPHERICAL designs, manufactures and sells radiation-hardened satellite power subsystems and on-demand mission-specific microchips for space, aerospace and defense customers. Its product line includes the flagship Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU), standalone Power Distribution Units, Maximum Power Point Tracking units, and custom Dedicated power solutions, all built around in-house designed semiconductors on a fully European-controlled supply chain.
Is SPHERICAL a public or private company?
SPHERICAL is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SPHERICAL founded?
SPHERICAL was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SPHERICAL based?
SPHERICAL is headquartered in Noordwijk, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does SPHERICAL make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Power System Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ESA and EU R&D Project Contracts and custom Semiconductor Development.
Who are SPHERICAL's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are STMicroelectronics, Microchip Technology, CAES (formerly Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions), OHB System, Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) and Teledyne Technologies (Teledyne e2v). Direct peers are AAC Clyde Space, Sitael and ISISPACE. Alter Technology is listed as an others.
Does SPHERICAL have an API?
No public API is recorded for SPHERICAL.
What industry is SPHERICAL in?
SPHERICAL's product category is Satellite Power Systems & Radiation-Hardened Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAK, Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation). Its NAICS code is 336419 and its SIC code is 3760.