Look Up, the French space tech company specializing in orbital safety and the protection of space infrastructure, announced a €50 million funding round combining equity, bank debt, and public grants.
This operation is one of the largest Series A rounds in space tech over the past decade.
The equity funding round is led by UK-based ETF Partners, totaling €24 million.
Leadwind, KFund’s early growth fund (Spain) and the EIC Fund (EU) join as new shareholders, while MIG Capital (Germany), Karista (France), and Expansion (France) reaffirm their support after participating in the 2023 seed round.
Additionally, Look Up will receive €15 million in non-dilutive funding from the European Union, to support the deployment of two radars in French Polynesia.
Several banking institutions are also contributing to the financing round through debt, bringing the total financing to nearly €50 million.
“This funding, coming exclusively from recognized European financial players, validates the European scope of the company, which aims to offer an end-to-end solution for space safety and operations,” said Look Up.
“Today, most detection and tracking capabilities in Low Earth Orbit, where 90% of space traffic occurs, are provided by the United States.
“Look Up’s globally deployed radar network, with the first unit already operational in Lozère (France), will deliver highly accurate data on all objects in orbit: active or defunct satellites, upper rocket bodies, and hundreds of thousands of pieces of debris a few centimeters.
“This data, available to public and private actors or processed in real time by Look Up’s digital platform ‘SYNAPSE’, will support advanced services such as precise collision risk prediction, maneuver recommendations, detection of abnormal activity or threats, enabling the peaceful and sustainable use of space.”
Michel Friedling, co-founder of Look Up, said: “Look Up stands out with a holistic vision and a unique strategy. Our goal is to become a global player in space safety and operations.
“This funding will enable us to continue deploying our radar network worldwide and enhance our digital solutions to address the escalating challenge of an increasingly congested and unstable orbital environment. It also strengthens our positioning in a sector poised for consolidation at both European and global levels.”
Juan Carlos Dolado, co-founder of Look Up, said: “Look Up’s technology vision is built on three pillars: first, the ability to detect orbital objects 24/7 with high revisit rates thanks to our radar network; second, the ability to analyze and understand the space domain in real time through our SYNAPSE platform; and third, the ability to enable safe and sustainable space operations.
“This integrated vision allows us to meet the rising demand for coordinated space traffic management from both public and private operators, ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities.”
Rémy de Tonnac, Senior Partner, ETF Partners, said: “ETF Partners is proud to support Europe’s emerging leader in sustainable space technologies. We firmly believe that in order to enable a sustainable earth we must ensure a sustainable space.
“By addressing the increasing risks of collisions and debris management, Look Up is creating a more secure orbital environment where satellites can safely operate and become insurable assets. This is a critical foundation for a sustainable space economy, balancing environmental responsibility and technological progress.”
Pablo Ventura, General Partner, KFund, said: “At Kfund, as a Spanish fund, we firmly believe that Europe must build its own strategic technological capabilities.
“Look Up represents that future: a company that not only addresses critical challenges in the protection of orbital assets, but also helps redefine Europe’s role in the new space economy.
“We are proud to contribute from Spain to such an ambitious and collective European project, advancing toward stronger and more sustainable space autonomy.”