Near Space Labs Soars with $20 Million Series B Funding
May 2, 2025, 9:37 pm
USAA
Location: United States, Texas, San Antonio
Location: United States, New York
Employees: 11-50
Founded date: 2017
Total raised: $33M
Near Space Labs is taking flight. The Brooklyn-based company has secured $20 million in Series B funding, propelling its mission to revolutionize aerial imagery. This funding round, led by Bold Capital Partners, attracted a constellation of investors, including USAA, Climate Capital, and Gaingels. With this financial boost, Near Space Labs aims to expand its reach and enhance its innovative technology.
Founded in 2017, Near Space Labs specializes in stratospheric remote sensing. Think of it as a high-tech bird's eye view of the Earth. The company uses a fleet of autonomous robots, dubbed Swift, to capture high-resolution imagery from the upper reaches of the atmosphere. This is not your average drone operation. The Swift robots utilize advanced weather balloon technology to access near space, a realm that sits above traditional aerial surveys and below satellites.
The company’s goal is ambitious. Near Space Labs plans to cover 80% of the U.S. population twice a year. This is no small feat. Achieving this level of coverage would typically require around 800,000 drone flights. Instead, Near Space Labs is streamlining the process. By leveraging its unique technology, it can capture imagery equivalent to entire cities like New York or Los Angeles in just a few hours. This efficiency is a game changer for industries that rely on timely and accurate data.
One of the primary beneficiaries of this technology is the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector. Insurers often face challenges in assessing risk and managing claims. Near Space Labs offers a solution. With its 7cm imagery, insurers can make informed decisions quickly. This level of detail is crucial for underwriting policies and fulfilling claims. It transforms the way insurance companies operate, driving higher quality service for policyholders.
The funding will allow Near Space Labs to significantly expand its fleet of Swift robots. This expansion is not just about numbers; it’s about capability. The more robots in the air, the more data can be collected. This data is vital for businesses that need to stay ahead of the curve. In a world where information is power, Near Space Labs is positioning itself as a leader in the field of geospatial intelligence.
The company has raised over $40 million to date. This funding trajectory speaks volumes about investor confidence. Near Space Labs is not just another tech startup; it’s a pioneer in a burgeoning industry. The ability to deliver high-resolution imagery with frequency and scale is a fundamental challenge in the field. Near Space Labs has cracked the code, much like SpaceX did for satellite launches. It’s about making aerial imagery accessible and affordable.
Investors are taking notice. The backing from notable firms indicates a strong belief in Near Space Labs’ potential. Bold Capital Partners and others see the transformative power of high-resolution stratospheric imaging. The technology promises to change the landscape of various industries, not just insurance. Agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring are just a few areas that could benefit from this innovation.
The company’s CEO, Rema Matevosyan, emphasizes the unique advantages of their approach. Traditional aerial surveys are often costly and infrequent. Satellite imagery, while more accessible, lacks the detail needed for critical decision-making. Near Space Labs bridges this gap. It combines the broad coverage of satellites with the high resolution of traditional aerial surveys. This dual advantage positions the company as a leader in the earth observation market.
As Near Space Labs prepares to scale its operations, the implications are vast. The ability to provide timely, high-quality imagery can reshape industries. For example, in agriculture, farmers can monitor crop health in real-time. In urban planning, city officials can assess infrastructure needs more effectively. The applications are endless.
The funding also highlights a growing trend in the tech industry. Investors are increasingly drawn to companies that offer sustainable solutions. Near Space Labs’ zero-emission technology aligns with this shift. As climate concerns mount, businesses that prioritize sustainability will likely thrive. Near Space Labs is not just about profit; it’s about making a positive impact on the planet.
In conclusion, Near Space Labs is on the verge of something big. With $20 million in Series B funding, the company is set to expand its reach and capabilities. Its innovative approach to aerial imagery is changing the game. By providing high-resolution data at an unprecedented scale, Near Space Labs is poised to transform industries. The future looks bright for this ambitious startup. As it continues to soar, the world will be watching.
Founded in 2017, Near Space Labs specializes in stratospheric remote sensing. Think of it as a high-tech bird's eye view of the Earth. The company uses a fleet of autonomous robots, dubbed Swift, to capture high-resolution imagery from the upper reaches of the atmosphere. This is not your average drone operation. The Swift robots utilize advanced weather balloon technology to access near space, a realm that sits above traditional aerial surveys and below satellites.
The company’s goal is ambitious. Near Space Labs plans to cover 80% of the U.S. population twice a year. This is no small feat. Achieving this level of coverage would typically require around 800,000 drone flights. Instead, Near Space Labs is streamlining the process. By leveraging its unique technology, it can capture imagery equivalent to entire cities like New York or Los Angeles in just a few hours. This efficiency is a game changer for industries that rely on timely and accurate data.
One of the primary beneficiaries of this technology is the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector. Insurers often face challenges in assessing risk and managing claims. Near Space Labs offers a solution. With its 7cm imagery, insurers can make informed decisions quickly. This level of detail is crucial for underwriting policies and fulfilling claims. It transforms the way insurance companies operate, driving higher quality service for policyholders.
The funding will allow Near Space Labs to significantly expand its fleet of Swift robots. This expansion is not just about numbers; it’s about capability. The more robots in the air, the more data can be collected. This data is vital for businesses that need to stay ahead of the curve. In a world where information is power, Near Space Labs is positioning itself as a leader in the field of geospatial intelligence.
The company has raised over $40 million to date. This funding trajectory speaks volumes about investor confidence. Near Space Labs is not just another tech startup; it’s a pioneer in a burgeoning industry. The ability to deliver high-resolution imagery with frequency and scale is a fundamental challenge in the field. Near Space Labs has cracked the code, much like SpaceX did for satellite launches. It’s about making aerial imagery accessible and affordable.
Investors are taking notice. The backing from notable firms indicates a strong belief in Near Space Labs’ potential. Bold Capital Partners and others see the transformative power of high-resolution stratospheric imaging. The technology promises to change the landscape of various industries, not just insurance. Agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring are just a few areas that could benefit from this innovation.
The company’s CEO, Rema Matevosyan, emphasizes the unique advantages of their approach. Traditional aerial surveys are often costly and infrequent. Satellite imagery, while more accessible, lacks the detail needed for critical decision-making. Near Space Labs bridges this gap. It combines the broad coverage of satellites with the high resolution of traditional aerial surveys. This dual advantage positions the company as a leader in the earth observation market.
As Near Space Labs prepares to scale its operations, the implications are vast. The ability to provide timely, high-quality imagery can reshape industries. For example, in agriculture, farmers can monitor crop health in real-time. In urban planning, city officials can assess infrastructure needs more effectively. The applications are endless.
The funding also highlights a growing trend in the tech industry. Investors are increasingly drawn to companies that offer sustainable solutions. Near Space Labs’ zero-emission technology aligns with this shift. As climate concerns mount, businesses that prioritize sustainability will likely thrive. Near Space Labs is not just about profit; it’s about making a positive impact on the planet.
In conclusion, Near Space Labs is on the verge of something big. With $20 million in Series B funding, the company is set to expand its reach and capabilities. Its innovative approach to aerial imagery is changing the game. By providing high-resolution data at an unprecedented scale, Near Space Labs is poised to transform industries. The future looks bright for this ambitious startup. As it continues to soar, the world will be watching.