Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space-tech startup founded by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, closed a $100 million Series C funding round on 7 September 2026. The company works in space and planetary intelligence and develops satellite-based Earth observation systems.
Series C Funding and Investors
The round was co-led by Temasek of Singapore and Seraphim Space of the United Kingdom. Other participants included 360 ONE Asset, IMM Investment of Seoul, Radical Ventures, and growX ventures. The transaction took Pixxel’s total funding to $195 million.
Pixxel’s Satellite and Imaging Portfolio
Pixxel operates a deployed fleet of six Firefly satellites. These satellites provide global commercial hyperspectral imagery at 5-metre resolution. The company also plans to expand its technology suite to include synthetic aperture radar, ultra-high-resolution optical imaging, and the AI-led Earth intelligence software platform Aurora.
Honeybee Constellation and Manufacturing Plans
Pixxel plans to use the capital to expand satellite manufacturing capacity in India and the United States. The company is also developing the Honeybee hyperspectral satellite constellation, with the first launch scheduled for 2027. Honeybee is designed to extend imaging into the shortwave infrared spectrum.
Important Facts for Exams
- Series C is a late-stage private funding round used by startups for scaling operations and product expansion.
- Hyperspectral imaging captures data across many narrow wavelength bands and is used in Earth observation.
- Shortwave infrared, or SWIR, is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum used in remote sensing applications.
- Temasek is a Singapore-based investment company, and Seraphim Space is a UK-based space-focused investor.
Funding Milestone in India’s Space Sector
The 100 million round is the largest single private funding round in India’s space sector. Publicly cited valuation estimates for Pixxel after the round ranged between 350 million and $500 million.
