Swiss Aerospace Ventures

Startup Rankings

Top Satellite Startups in Switzerland 2026

Last updated · 20 companies · compiled from public data sources

Switzerland's satellite startup ecosystem spans 20 companies across propulsion, components, ground segment, and in-orbit services. The sector shows strong engagement with ESA BIC programs, with most entrants as alumni or current participants, alongside active government and private investment.

Funding patterns reveal a mix of early-stage venture capital, European research grants, and strategic corporate backing. Recent successes include multiple companies securing phase completions, satellite deployments, and strategic partnerships with major aerospace firms.

  1. 1.

    PAVE Space

    Villeneuve · founded 2024 · €40M disclosed funding

    PAVE Space provides in-space logistics and propulsion systems for orbital operations using satellite technology and space data. The Villeneuve-based startup raised $40M in seed funding led by Visionaries Club and Creandum in 2026, and secured the PERL 2026 Trophy alongside an ESA Memorandum of Understanding.

    ESA BIC incubateecomponentsin-orbit-servicespropulsionsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  2. 2.

    EH Group Engineering

    Nyon · founded 2017 · €21.8M disclosed funding

    EH Group Engineering develops compact hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems for marine, aviation, and stationary power applications including space. The Nyon company, founded in 2017, raised Series A funding led by Safran Group and holds ESA BIC alumni status.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentspropulsionsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  3. 3.

    Involi

    Lausanne · €385k disclosed funding

    Involi operates a real-time air traffic surveillance platform and receiver network for drone operations and airspace management from Lausanne. The company participates in multiple EU-funded projects and was selected as one of five finalists in the GENIUS NY business accelerator in 2024.

    ESA BIC alumnievtolground-segmentnavigationsatellitesRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  4. 4.

    Klepsydra Technologies

    Zug · €386k disclosed funding

    Klepsydra Technologies provides edge AI software frameworks for space, robotics, and aerospace applications with ESA qualification capabilities. The Zug-based company was awarded the Horizon Europe NeAIxt project and announced a strategic partnership with BrainChip in 2026 for heterogeneous AI runtime delivery.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentsroboticssatellitesspace-dataRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  5. 5.

    Menhir Photonics

    Dübendorf · founded 2018 · €1.3M disclosed funding

    Menhir Photonics manufactures ultrafast femtosecond laser systems for timing, quantum technology, and microwave generation in earth and space applications. The Dübendorf company, founded in 2018, unveiled a new facility for mass production in 2025 and secured a NASA contract for laser systems.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentssatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  6. 6.

    Onocoy

    €940k disclosed funding

    Onocoy operates a decentralized GNSS correction data network using blockchain technology for high-precision positioning. The company secured $940,000 in strategic funding from Ryze Labs and the European Space Agency in 2024, and won the TOP 100 Public Award in Engineering at the Swiss Startup Awards.

    ESA BIC alumniground-segmentnavigationsatellitesspace-dataRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  7. 7.

    Clearspace

    Renens · founded 2018 · €50k disclosed funding

    Clearspace develops in-orbit servicing capabilities for satellite inspection, life extension, and debris removal missions from Renens. Founded in 2018, the company announced a PRELUDE in-orbit servicing and debris removal mission with ESA in 2026 and completed Phase 2 of the CLEAR mission.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentsin-orbit-servicesroboticssatellitesRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  8. 8.

    Diramics

    Steinhaussen · founded 2016 · €103k disclosed funding

    Diramics manufactures ultra-low-noise pHEMT transistors and amplifiers for space ground stations and satellite communications from Steinhaussen. The company, founded in 2016, received support from Horizon 2020, ESA BIC Switzerland, and ETH Zurich.

    ESA BIC alumnicommunicationscomponentsearth-observationground-segmentRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  9. 9.

    NovoViz

    Neuchâtel · €150k disclosed funding

    NovoViz develops single-photon image sensors and SPAD sensors for high-sensitivity imaging in aerospace and quantum applications. The Neuchâtel company won a Venture Kick award and launched the first SPAD camera into space.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentssatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  10. 10.

    DPhi

    €150k disclosed funding

    DPhi provides an on-orbit compute platform hosting hardware payloads and software workloads on shared satellites to simplify space access. The company launched Clustergate-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 in 2025 and secured a pre-seed round from QBIT Capital with participation from multiple investors.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentsin-orbit-servicessatellitesspace-dataRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  11. 11.

    Coactum

    Bex · €242k disclosed funding

    Coactum develops satellite positioning and movement solutions for Earth orbit operations and in-space transportation. Located in Bex, the company received ESA BIC Switzerland incubation support to advance high orbit access capabilities.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentsin-orbit-servicespropulsionsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  12. 12.

    Saphyrion SaGL

    Bioggio · €838k disclosed funding

    Saphyrion SaGL designs and manufactures radiation-hardened ASICs and GNSS systems for space applications from Bioggio. The company has received funding through multiple EU research projects including ATOS, GIMS, and SINSIN.

    componentsearth-observationevtolnavigationRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects

  13. 13.

    Sarmap

    Purasca · founded 1998 · €175k disclosed funding

    Sarmap develops Earth observation software and services using synthetic aperture radar and optical remote sensing data from Purasca. Founded in 1998, the company has supported SAR data analysis for monitoring surface deformations and infrastructure stability.

    earth-observationground-segmentsatellitesspace-dataRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects

  14. 14.

    Chirp Light

    Thalwil · €234 disclosed funding

    Chirp Light manufactures 4D FMCW LIDAR sensor technology for autonomous navigation and docking in extreme lighting conditions. The Thalwil company is a current ESA BIC participant focused on enabling robust autonomous spacecraft approach systems.

    ESA BIC incubateecomponentsin-orbit-servicesnavigationsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  15. 15.

    Ligentec

    Ecublens · founded 2016

    Ligentec manufactures photonic integrated circuits for applications including LiDAR, datacom, quantum computing, and space communications from Ecublens. Founded in 2016, the company expanded its integrated photonics collaboration with X-FAB in 2026.

    ESA BIC alumnicommunicationscomponentsnavigationsatellitesRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects, ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  16. 16.

    Flybotix

    Switzerland · founded 2019 · €10 disclosed funding

    Flybotix manufactures inspection drones for confined spaces with extended flight times and AI analytics capabilities. The Switzerland-based company, founded in 2019, raised $10M in a Series A extension round in 2025 to expand drone-based inspection services.

    ESA BIC alumninavigationroboticssatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  17. 17.

    CYSEC

    Lausanne · €6 disclosed funding

    CYSEC provides cybersecurity solutions for satellite systems and confidential computing applications from Lausanne. The company received a seed extension round led by Line Break Capital and a contract award from the French Space Agency in 2025.

    ESA BIC alumnicommunicationscomponentsground-segmentsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  18. 18.

    NematX

    Zurich · founded 2020 · €1 disclosed funding

    NematX manufactures high-precision industrial 3D printers using liquid crystal polymers for aerospace and industrial components. The Zurich company, founded in 2020, secured strategic investment from Japanese partner Polyplastics in 2024.

    ESA BIC alumnicomponentsin-orbit-servicesmaterialssatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  19. 19.

    EM Path

    Renens

    EM Path provides RF testing solutions for antenna and phased array characterization without requiring bulky anechoic chambers. The Renens company is a current ESA BIC participant accelerating satellite antenna development.

    ESA BIC incubateecomponentsground-segmentsatellitesRead more

    Sources: ESA Space Solutions / ESA BIC

  20. Gamma Remote Sensing develops SAR software and microwave remote sensing instruments for research and commercial applications from Gumligen. Founded in 1995, the company participates in EU research projects including NextGenCarbon.

    earth-observationground-segmentnavigationsatellitesRead more

    Sources: EU CORDIS research projects

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Companies are ranked by a composite score of disclosed funding, programme participation (ESA BIC, EU research projects), cross-source presence, and data recency, all compiled from public sources. If your aerospace startup belongs on this list, sign up and we'll review it for the next update.

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