Imperial College founders raise €2.8 million for The Compression Company; a satellite data compression platform

February 12, 2026 at 02:13 PM UTC
EU-Startups
Original: EN
Imperial College founders raise €2.8 million for The Compression Company; a satellite data compression platform

**European SpaceTech Sees Significant Investment, Focusing on Onboard Data Optimization** A wave of investment is propelling European SpaceTech forward, with recent funding rounds totaling approximately €148 million. This surge highlights a strategic pivot towards enhancing satellite capabilities, particularly in areas like onboard processing and data transmission. Startups are increasingly focused on solving critical bottlenecks in the space data lifecycle, moving beyond traditional hardware manufacturing to sophisticated software solutions. The Compression Company has secured €2.8 million to develop an AI-driven platform that compresses satellite data onboard, reportedly achieving reductions of over 95%. This technology aims to dramatically increase the volume of data that can be transmitted to Earth during limited ground-station passes, addressing a significant constraint in current satellite operations. This initiative is part of a broader trend where European companies are securing substantial funding for satellite servicing, manufacturing, and advanced Earth observation capabilities. These developments are crucial for bolstering Europe's digital sovereignty in the space sector, reducing reliance on external technologies for critical data infrastructure. By optimizing data transmission and onboard compute, European firms are positioning themselves to unlock greater value from Earth observation data and enhance their competitive edge in the global space market. The focus on software-defined solutions like AI compression signifies a maturation of the industry, emphasizing efficiency and data utilization.

Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.

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Publication: EU-Startups
Published: February 12, 2026 at 02:13 PM UTC
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