VGA

What VGA does

VGA s.r.l. is an Italian aerospace and defense engineering SME founded in 2011 and headquartered in Deruta, Italy, operating from a 1,500+ square meter facility with three specialized laboratories (SWEET-LAB for wave energy testing, BITTER LAB, and ENVIR LAB). The company designs and manufactures build-to-spec space and aerospace hardware, including battery packs for launchers, aviation, and satellites, robotic arms co-developed with Thales Alenia Space, Hold Down Release Mechanisms (HDRMs), test benches, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Its engineering capability is supported by 30+ engineers out of an 11-50 total headcount, 5+ patents, and participation in 10+ international research programs including the EU Horizon 2020 IMPACT project.

VGA serves a tier-1 customer base of major aerospace and defense primes — Thales Alenia Space, Avio Aero, Leonardo, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, and Northrop Grumman — alongside research institutions such as SINTEF and Carnegie Clean Energy, totaling 60+ worldwide customers and 200+ completed projects. The company is certified to EN 9100:2018 and ISO 9001:2015, qualifying it as a supplier into European aerospace supply chains. Its business model is project-based build-to-spec engineering services and low-volume hardware production, with revenue derived from custom development contracts and research-program participation. Forward diversification includes wave/ocean energy testing via SWEET-LAB, indicating an intent to extend structural and test engineering IP into adjacent verticals.

Revenue is not disclosed, and the company has not announced external funding rounds, acquisitions, or IPO activity. Its growth has been incremental, anchored on deepening existing prime relationships, expanding the product line (notably battery packs and robotic arms), and pursuing international commercial exposure through major airshows (Paris, Farnborough, Seoul ADEX).

Name

VGA

Legal name

VGA s.r.l.

Website

https://vgasrl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VGA s.r.l. is an Italian aerospace and defense SME (founded 2011) that designs and manufactures battery packs, robotic arms, HDRMs, test benches, and GSE for tier-1 primes including Thales Alenia Space, Boeing, and Leonardo. It also operates ocean energy test infrastructure via SWEET-LAB.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defense Hardware Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Pack Electronics Manufacturing (EUAFABAJ), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Battery Electronics (IMAGAHAC), Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Aerospace components manufacturing
• Defense test equipment
• Battery management systems
• Space mechanisms
• Ground service equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

San Nicolò Di Celle

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Customized Hardware Manufacturing: Design, development, certification and series production of customized Battery Packs, Robotic Arms, HDRM mechanisms, Test Benches and Ground Service Equipment for aerospace and defense applications. Prototypes and engineering/qualification models lead to series production.
2. Engineering and R&D Services: 2D/3D modelling, performance, structural, thermal and CFD calculations, reliability and safety analyses. Prototyping and qualification testing activities up to certification of customer products.
3. Testing and Certification Services: Laboratory testing services through BITTER LAB for battery cells and packages, ENVIR LAB for environmental testing, and SWEET-LAB for wave energy equipment testing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VGA designs, qualifies, certifies and manufactures customized high-technology hardware for aerospace and defense applications, including lithium-ion Battery Packs with Battery Management Systems (BMS) for launchers, aviation and satellites, multi-DoF Robotic Arms for orbital alignment, Hold Down Release Mechanisms (HDRM), Clamp Band Separation Systems, and Acceptance/Qualification Test Benches and Ground Service Equipment (GSE). The company also operates three specialized testing laboratories (SWEET-LAB, BITTER LAB, ENVIR LAB) and provides engineering, prototyping and qualification testing services to customer specifications.

Product overview

VGA is an Italian SME specializing in the design, qualification, and manufacturing of hardware products for aerospace and defense applications. The product portfolio consists of three main categories: (1) Battery Packs with Battery Management Systems available in versions for Launcher, Aviation, and Satellite applications; (2) Mechanisms including Robotic Arms, Clamp Band Separation Systems, and HDRM (Hold Down Release Mechanisms) at 18 kN rating; and (3) Test Benches and Ground Service Equipment (GSE) including ATP Test Benches for electromechanical actuators, test benches for electronic boards and aerospace equipment. Beyond products, VGA operates three specialized testing facilities: SWEET-LAB for wave energy equipment testing, BITTER LAB for battery inspection and testing, and ENVIR LAB for environmental testing including temperature, humidity, and clean room services. The company develops, certifies, and produces fully customized solutions from prototypes through engineering and qualification models to series production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Battery Pack with BMS for Launcher

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ Build to Spec Equipment/Systems projects completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and historical.

• IMPACT Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Horizon 2020 funded research project (Grant Agreement No 101007071) focused on developing and demonstrating dual hardware-in-the-loop testing approach for wave energy converters. VGA serves as project's coordinating partner and leads DHIL Testing Platform Development work package.
• Thales Alenia SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of robotic arm for satellite applications with innovative patented solutions for orbital alignment or modification on satellites. The robotic arm serves as a reliable actuator for satellite deployment and positioning.
• SINTEF Energy ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration as part of the Horizon 2020 IMPACT project (grant agreement No 101007071) for development of dual hardware-in-the-loop testing methodology for wave energy converters. SINTEF co-organized the Wave Energy Rig Testing Workshop and conducts testing activities at VGA's SWEET-LAB facility.
• SINTEF OceancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in IMPACT project conducting risk assessments for drivetrain and structural components test rigs, creating digital twins of testing equipment, and overseeing testing procedures at VGA's facility.
• Carnegie Clean EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplied belt (used as mooring and power transmission system of their CETO 6 wave energy converter) for installation and testing on IMPACT structural components test rig at VGA's SWEET-LAB facility.
• Umbria Aerospace ClusterstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional aerospace industry cluster that facilitates networking and participation in major trade events including Aerospace & Defense Meetings Torino, providing visibility and business development opportunities.
• IMAGINE ProjecthistoricalTechnology or IntegrationConcluded EU-funded project that originally constructed the drivetrain test rig, which was later upgraded throughout the IMPACT project at VGA's facility.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian aerospace and defense systems integrator supplying mechanisms, electronics, and communications across space, maritime and defense. Overlaps with VGA on space mechanisms and test capabilities but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Swiss-headquartered space hardware supplier offering structures, mechanisms, and electronics for launchers and satellites. Comparable product categories (mechanisms, electronics) but much larger scale and broader portfolio than VGA.
• Avio: Italian space propulsion prime (Vega launcher) and a VGA customer. Comparable geographic/industrial ecosystem footprint and Italy-based aerospace/defense operations, though Avio operates at substantially larger scale across propulsion systems.

Direct peers

• Argotec: Italian aerospace SME designing and manufacturing small satellites and space subsystems. Comparable as a fellow Italian space hardware SME serving ESA and major primes with custom engineered solutions.
• Sitael: Italian aerospace SME (Angel Group subsidiary) manufacturing small satellites, electric propulsion, and avionics. Highly comparable to VGA as another Italy-based mid-sized space hardware designer/manufacturer competing in the same European prime supply chain.
• Sabca: Belgian aerospace manufacturer producing electromechanical actuators, mechanisms, and test equipment. Closely comparable to VGA's mechanism and test bench portfolio serving European aerospace primes.
• DHV Technology: Spanish space hardware manufacturer specializing in solar arrays, battery packs, and power systems for satellites. Direct competitor to VGA's space battery pack with BMS product line.

Regional players

• Leaf Space: Italian space services SME providing ground segment (antenna network) as-a-service for satellite operators. Regional Italian space SME comparable in scale and ecosystem, though operating in ground segment rather than hardware manufacturing.

Emerging players

• GomSpace: Danish smallsat subsystem manufacturer providing CubeSat platforms, power systems, and payloads. Overlaps with VGA in satellite hardware (batteries, subsystems) but typically targets smaller satellite platforms and a different customer base.
• C3S Electronics Development: Hungarian space electronics SME providing on-board computers, power systems, and battery solutions for small satellites. Comparable as a smaller European SME competing in the satellite BMS and electronics niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vga-srl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 VGA