KP Labs
KP Labs is a Gliwice, Poland-based space technology company that builds on-board data processing units (DPUs), flight software, and AI algorithms for nano and small satellite operators and integrators across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersGliwice, Poland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What KP Labs does
KP Labs is a Polish space technology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Gliwice, Poland, that builds on-board data processing solutions for nano and small satellites. Its product portfolio centers on a "Smart Mission Ecosystem" comprising three proprietary data processing units (DPUs) — Antelope for CubeSats, Leopard for Micro and Mini Satellites, and Lion for ADHA-form-factor platforms — combined with the Oryx flight software for payload management and command handling, and The Herd AI algorithms for Earth observation and signal processing. The company offers Smart Mission Lab, a remote-access platform that allows customers to validate DPUs and algorithms before physical purchase.
The company sells primarily to enterprise customers in the aerospace and space sector, including satellite integrators, Earth observation payload providers, and space agencies. Named customers and partners include Airbus Defence and Space, OHB Hellas, Deimos, Scanway, Simera Sense, Craft Prospect, and the European Space Agency (OPS-SAT mission). Revenue mechanics span hardware sales, software licensing (Oryx), algorithm solutions (The Herd), and EU-funded project collaboration (BOLERO, AURORA-D); pricing is custom and quote-based, structured around multi-year contracts and tied to satellite class and mission complexity. Distribution is direct enterprise sales supplemented by EU/ESA project partnerships and the Smart Mission Lab remote-testing channel.
KP Labs positions itself as a specialist in autonomous, real-time on-board decision-making for smallsats, addressing the pain point of slow ground-station-dependent data transmission by processing imagery and mission data in orbit. Its leadership comprises CEO Krzysztof Pacan and COO Michał Zachara. The company operates as a privately held entity with no disclosed external funding rounds in the available data.
KP Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KP Labs
- Legal name
- KP Labs
- Website
- https://kplabs.pl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KP Labs is a Gliwice, Poland-based space technology company that builds on-board data processing units (DPUs), flight software, and AI algorithms for nano and small satellite operators and integrators across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KP Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space-grade On-board Data Processing Hardware
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- End-to-End MLOps & ML Platform Suites (HDAAABAA), End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management) (HDAEANAA)
Keywords
Where KP Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gliwice
- HQ country
- Poland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KP Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary data processing units (DPUs) including Antelope, Leopard, and Lion products designed for different satellite classes (CubeSats, Micro/Mini Satellites, ADHA form factor)
- Software Licensing: Oryx flight software licensing for payload management and mission-specific operations
- Algorithm Solutions: AI-powered algorithms (The Herd) for Earth observation and signal processing, sold as part of the integrated solution portfolio
- EU Project Collaboration: Participation in EU-funded space projects (BOLERO, AURORA-D) contributing to R&D revenue streams
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise pricing based on satellite class and mission requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
KP Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KP Labs develops an end-to-end Smart Mission Ecosystem for nano and small satellites, combining proprietary hardware data processing units (Antelope for CubeSats, Leopard for Micro/Mini Satellites, Lion for ADHA form factor), flight software (Oryx), and AI-powered algorithms (The Herd). The offering enables autonomous on-board data processing, real-time satellite decision-making, and advanced Earth observation capabilities, supported by the Smart Mission Lab remote testing platform for pre-deployment validation.
Product overview
KP Labs offers an end-to-end Smart Mission Ecosystem for nano and small satellites, combining hardware data processing units (Antelope, Leopard, Lion), flight software (Oryx), and AI-powered algorithms (The Herd). The hardware products span from CubeSats to larger satellites using different form factors, while Smart Mission Lab provides a cloud-based testing platform for validating mission technology before deployment. This unified portfolio enables autonomous on-board data processing, real-time satellite decision-making, and advanced Earth observation capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Antelope: AI capabilities for CubeSats hardware
- Leopard
- Lion
- Oryx
- The Herd
- Smart Mission Lab
Products and services
- Antelope Data processing unit (DPU) designed for CubeSats that enables AI capabilities for small satellite platforms, providing efficient on-board data processing for demanding space missions.
- Leopard Edge AI data processing unit for Micro and Mini Satellites, enabling advanced on-board data processing with AI capabilities tailored for small satellite platforms.
- Lion AI-capable data processing unit for satellites utilizing the ADHA (Advanced Data Handling Architecture) form factor, providing advanced processing capabilities.
- Oryx Payload and mission-specific flight software for data gathering, command handling, payload management, and in-orbit processing operations.
- The Herd Set of AI-powered Earth observation and signal processing algorithms designed to facilitate on-board satellite data processing and analysis.
- Smart Mission Lab Remote access platform providing access to KP Labs data processing units for early-stage testing and validation of mission technology, supporting algorithm development and hardware testing before physical purchase.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30+ completed projects demonstrating technology maturity and reliability
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use KP Labs
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KP Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
KP Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- OHB HellascoreCollaborative partnership on groundbreaking space projects including BOLERO, focused on onboard satellite machine learning. OHB Hellas, as a major European space company, works with KP Labs combining innovative and creative engineering energy. The collaboration is focused on transforming the space industry through onboard AI capabilities.
- Absolut SystemcorePartnership on EU project AURORA-D with KP Labs providing Command and Data Processing Unit (CDPU). Absolut System (Innovative Cryogenic Solutions) values the smooth collaboration and technical expertise KP Labs brings to the project.
- ScanwaycoreScanway (EO payload provider) considers KP Labs' Earth observation in-orbit data processing capabilities as essential/must-have for their operations. The partnership demonstrates KP Labs' ability to deliver mission-critical solutions for Earth observation applications.
- DeimoscoreCollaboration on different missions and projects within the European Space Environment. Deimos, a flight directorate organization, values KP Labs' continuously evolving technology that helps improve their capabilities.
- Craft ProspectcorePartnership focused on pioneering space services. Craft Prospect relies on KP Labs' technology, products, and people to drive next-level space-based solutions, emphasizing KP Labs' role in maximizing performance and reliability.
- Airbus Defence and SpacecoreAirbus Defence and Space worked with KP Labs to adapt the Leopard product into their space optical instrument. The collaboration demonstrated KP Labs' dedication and flexibility in customizing hardware solutions for specific instrument requirements.
- Simera SensecorePartnership where KP Labs provided hardware and software solutions seamlessly integrated into Simera Sense's payload architecture for small satellite imaging, pushing boundaries of what is possible with small satellite technology.
- ESA (European Space Agency)coreESA selected KP Labs for experiments on the OPS-SAT CubeSat mission as part of the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). The experiments focus on AI, data compression, satellite tracking, and onboard processing for future space missions.
- SpacePL (Polish Space Industry Association)minorIndustry association membership supporting the Polish space sector ecosystem and industry collaboration.
- Krakowski Park TechnologicznyminorTechnology park in Krakow, Poland supporting innovation and technology companies in the regional ecosystem.
- Copernicus AcceleratorminorEU program supporting Earth observation startups and companies, with KP Labs participating in the ecosystem.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KP Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ubotica Technologies: Ireland-based company providing on-board AI processing for Earth observation satellites. Direct peer: shares the same product category (edge AI for smallsats), target customers (satellite operators and integrators), and value proposition (autonomous in-orbit data processing).
- AIKO: Italian startup specializing in AI-based automation and on-board data processing for space missions. Direct peer: same use case (on-board AI/ML for satellites), similar size, and competing for the same EU/ESA-funded mission contracts.
- Ramon.Space: Israel-based provider of space-grade computing and AI processors for satellites. Direct peer: builds radiation-hardened on-board compute similar to KP Labs' DPU line, targeting the same smallsat and constellation customers.
- Bright Ascension: UK-based space software company offering flight software, mission control, and on-board software for small satellites. Direct peer in the software layer (analogous to KP Labs' Oryx flight software) serving the same European smallsat ecosystem.
- Unibap (now part of Hive Power): Swedish company historically providing AI-enabled on-board data processing units for satellites (iBVMI/Deepways). Direct peer in on-board AI hardware for smallsats; competing for similar ESA and commercial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Alenia Space: Large European aerospace prime offering satellites, space infrastructure, and on-board subsystems. Broad incumbent: overlaps with KP Labs in on-board processing and Earth observation payloads but as part of a much wider portfolio and through prime-contractor relationships.
- Airbus Defence and Space: Major European aerospace prime and a disclosed KP Labs customer. Broad incumbent: provides end-to-end space systems including Earth observation satellites where KP Labs' Leopard has been integrated, but competes and partners across the stack.
- OHB: European satellite manufacturer and a KP Labs partner (BOLERO). Broad incumbent: builds full satellites and subsystems; partners with KP Labs on onboard ML but also has internal capabilities that could compete at the system level.
- Honeywell Aerospace: US-based aerospace incumbent with space-grade computing, guidance, and control products. Broad incumbent: broader portfolio but overlapping on-board computing and avionics-class processors that compete for the same space-grade edge AI segment.
Regional players
- ICEYE: Polish SAR satellite operator and one of Europe's most prominent commercial EO constellations. Regional peer: same country/ecosystem as KP Labs and a potential customer for on-board processing as ICEYE scales its constellation, but primarily competes in EO data services rather than on-board compute.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KP Labs social profiles
Digital presenceKP Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KP Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KP Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KP Labs 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 KP Labs
What does KP Labs do?
KP Labs develops an end-to-end Smart Mission Ecosystem for nano and small satellites, combining proprietary hardware data processing units (Antelope for CubeSats, Leopard for Micro/Mini Satellites, Lion for ADHA form factor), flight software (Oryx), and AI-powered algorithms (The Herd). The offering enables autonomous on-board data processing, real-time satellite decision-making, and advanced Earth observation capabilities, supported by the Smart Mission Lab remote testing platform for pre-deployment validation.
Is KP Labs a public or private company?
KP Labs is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was KP Labs founded?
KP Labs was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KP Labs based?
KP Labs is headquartered in Gliwice, Poland, in the Europe region.
How does KP Labs make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing, algorithm Solutions and EU Project Collaboration.
Who are KP Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ubotica Technologies, AIKO, Ramon.Space, Bright Ascension and Unibap (now part of Hive Power). Broad incumbents are Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, OHB and Honeywell Aerospace. ICEYE is listed as a regional player.
Does KP Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for KP Labs.
What industry is KP Labs in?
KP Labs's product category is Space-grade On-board Data Processing Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAM, Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms, with a secondary code of HDAAABAA, End-to-End MLOps & ML Platform Suites. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3823.