What Software Bisque does

Software Bisque, Inc. is a privately held, founder-operated company headquartered in Golden, Colorado, that since 1983 has designed and manufactured precision robotic telescope mounts under the Paramount brand and published companion astronomy software under TheSky. Its hardware portfolio spans German equatorial mounts (MYT, MX, ME Series 6), direct-drive equatorial fork mounts (Taurus 400/500/600/700), alt-azimuth gimbals (Apollo 600/800, Duo), and supporting piers, tripods, and replacement parts, with unit prices ranging from approximately $8,595 to over $84,995. All hardware is manufactured primarily in the U.S. using locally sourced materials, with integrated MKS 4000/5000/6000 control electronics, direct-drive motors, and on-axis absolute encoders engineered for sub-arcsecond pointing accuracy.

The TheSky software line is sold in tiered editions (Serious at $195, Professional at $395, Universal Bundle at $1,095) as perpetual licenses with optional annual subscriptions ($30–$200/year), and is supplemented by modules for cameras, dome control, satellites, databases, multi-OS support, and the TPoint pointing-analysis tool. The software runs on macOS (including native Apple Silicon M1/M2) and Windows, and exposes a JavaScript scripting API (ScriptTheSkyX) for user automation. The company also offers TheSky Fusion as an integrated hardware/software observatory platform and a Bisque TCS (Telescope Control System) in Standard ($6,795) and Professional ($12,750) editions.

Software Bisque operates exclusively as a direct-to-consumer business through its own e-commerce store at bisque.com, with a strict no-resale policy and direct shipping to end users worldwide. Customer acquisition relies on the company's website, community forums, a 474+ article knowledge base, and content marketing via its blog. The company self-identifies as a small U.S.-based business with 1–10 employees, and has no disclosed institutional investors, M&A activity, partnerships, or external funding. Its primary customer segment is individual amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, with a secondary segment of professional or small-observatory buyers of premium mounts and the Bisque TCS.

Name

Software Bisque

Legal name

Software Bisque Incorporated

Website

https://bisque.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Software Bisque designs and manufactures precision Paramount robotic telescope mounts and publishes TheSky astronomy software for amateur astronomers, astrophotographers, and small observatories, selling exclusively direct-to-consumer through bisque.com with U.S.-manufactured hardware.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Astronomy Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

Keywords

• Robotic telescope mounts
• Astronomy software
• Telescope control systems
• German equatorial mounts
• Telescope pointing analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Golden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of Paramount robotic telescope mounts, piers, tripods, and accessories. Hardware products include mounts ranging from $8,595 to over $84,995, replacement parts, power supplies, cables, and mounting hardware. All hardware is manufactured primarily in the USA.
2. Software Perpetual Licenses: TheSky software sold as perpetual licenses: TheSky Serious at $195, TheSky Professional at $395, and Universal Bundle at $1,095. Software is sold with optional annual subscription for ongoing benefits.
3. Software Subscriptions: Optional annual subscription for TheSky software providing subscription benefits: TheSky Serious subscription at $30/year, TheSky Professional at $100/year, and Universal Bundle at $200/year. All software sales are final and non-refundable.
4. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Cables, counterweights, mounting plates, OTA rings, piers, tripods, power supplies, worm blocks, motors, and other accessories sold through the e-commerce store. Prices range from $19 to $5,995.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Software Bisque manufactures precision robotic telescope mounts (the Paramount line of German equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts) and publishes the TheSky astronomy software suite, including imaging bundles, TPoint pointing-analysis modules, and dome/observatory control add-ons. The products are sold direct-to-consumer for amateur astronomers and serious astrophotographers who need integrated robotic telescope control, automated imaging, and sub-arcsecond pointing accuracy.

Product overview

Software Bisque provides a comprehensive telescope control and imaging ecosystem combining Paramount robotic German equatorial mounts and TheSky astronomy software. The Paramount mount lineup spans from the entry-level MYT Series 6 through the premium ME Series 6, including direct-drive fork mounts (Taurus and Apollo models) and the versatile Duo gimbal. TheSky software is offered in tiered editions (Serious, Professional) with optional modules for specialized functions (Cameras+, Databases, Domes, Multi-OS+, Satellites, TPoint). Bundles (Imaging Bundle, Universal Bundle) package software editions with relevant modules. Supporting hardware includes piers and tripods (Helium, Pyramid Portable, Permanent Piers), telescope mounting rings, power supplies, spares kits, and cable assemblies. The Bisque TCS (Telescope Control System) provides dedicated observatory control in Standard and Professional editions, while the MKS 6000 Upgrade enables older Paramount owners to modernize their control systems. TheSky Fusion integrates hardware and software into a dedicated observatory computing platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paramount: A brand of precision-crafted robotic telescope mounts manufactured by Software Bisque.
• TheSky

Products and services

• TheSky Professional Full-featured astronomy software for macOS and Windows with native Apple Silicon (M1/M2) support, offering comprehensive sky charting, telescope control, and imaging orchestration for amateur astronomers and serious astrophotographers.
• TheSky Serious Entry-level TheSky astronomy software edition providing essential sky charting and telescope control features for amateur astronomers.
• TheSky Imaging Bundle Bundled software package combining TheSky Professional with imaging-focused modules (Cameras+, Databases, Domes, Multi-OS+, Satellites, TPoint) for a complete imaging workflow.
• TheSky Universal Bundle Comprehensive software bundle providing full access to all TheSky software editions and add-on modules with an optional annual subscription.
• TheSky Cameras+ Module Optional TheSky add-on module enabling control and integration of cameras and imaging devices within TheSky software.
• TheSky Databases Module Optional TheSky add-on module providing expanded celestial-object database catalogs for TheSky Professional and Serious editions.
• TheSky Domes Module Optional TheSky add-on module enabling observatory-dome control and synchronization with telescope pointing.
• TheSky Multi-OS+ Module Optional TheSky add-on module extending capabilities across multiple operating-system environments.
• TheSky Satellites Module Optional TheSky add-on module enabling advanced tracking of artificial satellites.
• TPoint Module Pointing-analysis software module that improves telescope pointing accuracy by modeling and correcting systematic pointing errors.
• Paramount MYT Series 6 Entry-level Paramount German equatorial mount (GEM) in the Series 6 lineup, featuring gear-driven mechanics and optional accessories, for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.
• Paramount MX Series 6 Mid-range Paramount German equatorial mount (GEM) in the Series 6 lineup with enhanced payload capacity and performance features.
• Paramount ME Series 6 Premium Paramount German equatorial mount designed for professional and serious amateur observatories requiring maximum payload capacity and stability.
• Paramount Taurus 400 Series 6 Direct-drive equatorial fork mount offering payload stability, large capacity, and horizon-to-horizon observing for advanced amateur and small observatory use.
• Paramount Taurus 500/600/700 Direct-drive equatorial fork mounts in the Taurus 500/600/700 lineup offering large payload capacity and horizon-to-horizon observing capabilities.
• Paramount Apollo 600/800 Alt-azimuth gimbal mount with two-sided payload design enabling attachment of up to four telescopes simultaneously for advanced observatories.
• Paramount Duo Direct-drive gimbal mount deployable in alt-azimuth or equatorial configuration (equatorial requires optional wedge) with dual payload attachment capability.
• TheSky Fusion Integrated hardware/software observatory computing platform combining a dedicated embedded computer with TheSky software and 12V DC power supply options for unattended observatory operation.
• Bisque TCS (Telescope Control System) Bisque Telescope Control System offered in Standard and Professional editions, integrated with MKS 4000 control electronics for automated observatory operation.
• MKS 6000 Upgrade Electronics upgrade kit for owners of older Paramount mounts that modernizes their mount's control system to the MKS 6000 platform.
• Helium Tripod Ultra-portable, lightweight tripod for Paramount mounts, available in Helium 200 (90 kg capacity) and Helium 400 (180 kg capacity) models with adjustable height and 360-degree top-plate rotation.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• iOptron: iOptron manufactures computerized equatorial and alt-az GoTo telescope mounts (e.g., CEM, CEM40, CEM70, AZ Mount Pro) at overlapping price points to Software Bisque's Paramount line, plus integrated control electronics, making it the closest head-to-head competitor in robotic mount hardware.
• Sky-Watcher (Synta Technology): Sky-Watcher produces a broad line of motorized equatorial mounts (EQ6-R Pro, HEQ5, EQ8) widely used by amateur astrophotographers. Its volume-driven, lower-priced approach competes for the entry-level customer Software Bisque targets with the MYT and MX Series 6.
• Celestron: Celestron's CGX and CGX-L equatorial mounts and CPC/CGX computerized telescope systems compete directly in the same GoTo/robotic mount category, supported by the SkyPortal/CPWI software stack. As a Synta-owned brand with deep US distribution, it is a primary rival.
• Meade Instruments: Meade produces LX-series computerized mounts and integrated telescopes (LX200, LX600) targeting the same amateur/advanced amateur segment as Software Bisque Paramount mounts, and is a longstanding direct competitor in robotic mount systems.
• Losmandy Astronomical Products: Losmandy manufactures premium GM-8, GM-11, and Titan equatorial mounts that compete head-to-head with Software Bisque's mid- and high-end Paramount GEMs in the serious amateur and small observatory segment.
• Astro-Physics: Astro-Physics builds ultra-premium German equatorial mounts (Mach1, 1100GTO, 1600GTO) with comparable precision and price points to Software Bisque's Paramount ME and Taurus models, serving the same professional and advanced amateur observatory market.
• PlaneWave Instruments: PlaneWave manufactures direct-drive robotic mounts and CDK observatory telescopes (L-500, L-600) for research and advanced amateur observatories; its direct-drive technology and integrated control electronics put it in direct competition with Software Bisque's Taurus and Apollo product lines.
• 10Micron: Italian maker of high-end direct-drive robotic mounts (GM1000 HPS, GM2000 HPS, GM4000) using on-axis absolute encoders - technologically and commercially comparable to Software Bisque's direct-drive Paramount offerings for the high-end amateur and pro-sumer observatory customer.

Broad incumbents

• Explore Scientific: Explore Scientific offers a broad portfolio of astronomy equipment including its own ES-series mounts and bundled telescopes, operating as a broader astronomy retailer/manufacturer with overlapping mount offerings to Software Bisque's parametric ecosystem.
• Vixen Optics: Vixen produces Japanese-engineered equatorial mounts (SXP, Sphinx, AXJ series) and telescopes, making it a broader incumbent with partially overlapping mount hardware offerings - competing in the same international amateur astronomy segment as Software Bisque.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SoftwareBisque
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/software-bisque

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Software Bisque