Marble Imaging, a startup based in Bremen, has successfully raised €5.3 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round aimed at advancing its ambitious plan to launch a fleet of multispectral satellites. This funding, led by High-Tech Gründerfonds and supported by several investors including BAB Beteiligungs- und Management-gesellschaft Bremen mbH and the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, will enable the company to enhance its technology and prepare for the launch of its first satellite in 2026.
The demand for independent and high-resolution Earth observation data is surging across various sectors, including defence, climate monitoring, and disaster response. Existing options often lack the speed and detail required for critical decision-making. Marble Imaging aims to fill this gap by providing global, very high-resolution imagery with the capability to deliver updates as frequently as hourly.
A New Era of Earth Observation
Founded in 2023 by Robert Hook, Dr. Gopika Suresh, and Alexander Epp, Marble Imaging is focused on developing small satellites equipped with advanced multispectral cameras. These devices will capture images across visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared spectrums, delivering sharp and timely data to users worldwide. The company is also enhancing its offerings with custom AI analytics for terrain and traffic checks, creating a comprehensive pipeline that facilitates rapid access to critical information.
The founders bring over a decade of experience in space systems and Earth observation science, with Hook having previously led significant European Earth observation programs, including the Copernicus CO2M mission. Their vision is to establish a robust ecosystem for Earth observation data services that supports timely decision-making in security and environmental monitoring while contributing to Europe’s strategic sovereignty in this domain.
Marble Imaging has already secured more than €10 million in non-dilutive funding and has signed a €3 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), underlining its strong position in the industry.
Future Plans and Market Positioning
The startup plans to expand its constellation to include up to 20 satellites by 2028, significantly increasing the frequency and quality of insights available to clients in defence, climate, and crisis response sectors. Current services include object detection for intelligence applications, terrain analysis, and monitoring of coastal assets, among others.
Koen Geurts, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF, commented on Marble Imaging’s potential, stating, “Marble Imaging is addressing a critical European capability gap in the very-high resolution domain, and I do not see any other company tackling it faster than Marble does. The need for independent, timely, and VHR optical data will only increase in the coming years.”
With a dual-use design that integrates civilian and defence functionalities, Marble Imaging aims to distinguish itself from competitors such as Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs. By emphasizing European control and rapid data delivery, the company is poised to meet the urgent demands of its customers while contributing to a more self-reliant European space industry.
