Near Space Labs nabs $20M to take its high-res imaging Swift robots into the stratosphere
When you think of breathtaking aerial images of our planet, satellites, drones, and planes might spring to mind. However, Near Space Labs is taking a different path toward capturing high-resolution photos from above.
Innovative Aerial Imaging with Swift Robots
Instead of using conventional aircraft, Near Space Labs is developing unique systems known as Swift. These aircraft are lifted by helium balloons and use wind currents to navigate the stratosphere. After collecting detailed imagery from high above, the Swift vehicles gracefully glide back to earth. The startup’s new $20 million funding round will help expand these aerial imaging capabilities and broaden their geographic reach.
Backed by Bold Capital Partners—founded by Peter Diamandis, renowned for his work with XPRIZE and Singularity University—along with strategic investors like USAA, Climate Capital, Gaingels, RiverPark Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Third Sphere, and Draper Associates, Near Space Labs has raised over $40 million since its Series A in 2021.
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The Team and Their Journey
The idea behind Near Space Labs was born from the collective expertise of CEO Rema Matevosyan, CTO Ignasi Lluch, and Chief Engineer Albert Caubet. With strong backgrounds in space and physics research, the trio developed a unique technology that leverages natural air currents for high-resolution imaging.
Growing up in a family of scientists and curious minds, Matevosyan’s early exposure to technical fields propelled her toward a career in mathematics. After completing her undergraduate studies in Yerevan, she pursued graduate studies at Moscow’s Skolkovo Institute. It was there she crossed paths with Lluch, who had journeyed from Spain, sparking a collaboration that would later lead them to New York and the accelerator Urban-X.
Adapting Through Change
The evolving global landscape has not left Near Space Labs behind. While the strategic alliance between Skolkovo Institute and MIT (Skoltech) concluded in early 2022—a result of international sanctions—the company steadily forged its own path. Despite the subsequent shutdown of the Urban-X accelerator by its lead backer, BMW, the startup continues to thrive and innovate.
Key Highlights of Near Space Labs’ Approach:
- Swift robots are buoyed by helium balloons and moved solely by natural wind currents.
- They capture detailed 7 cm resolution imagery, crucial for tracking events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
- The design eliminates the need for specialized flight licenses, making it easier to scale operations.
Applications and Future Directions
One of the most promising markets for Near Space Labs is the insurance sector. Insurers use the high-resolution images to assess damage from large-scale events like fires and hurricanes. Although current imaging coverage is focused on select regions in the U.S., the company plans to expand its reach significantly. The goal is ambitious: to cover 80% of the U.S. population twice a year, performing in hours what would otherwise take drones days or even weeks.
Besides insurance, other industries such as agriculture present intriguing opportunities. Traditional aerial surveys using drones often fall short in terms of scale and accuracy. In contrast, the Swift technology offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for monitoring vast farmlands, ensuring that even subtle changes across large areas are captured accurately.
Although military applications could be conceivable given the versatile nature of the Swift technology, Near Space Labs is currently focused on expanding its commercial use cases. The company envisions developing tailored coverage plans to align with specific operational needs, making its innovative platform accessible to a broader spectrum of users.
Looking Ahead
As the world increasingly demands timely, high-quality aerial imagery—especially with the growing role of AI in processing such data—Near Space Labs is poised for continued success. With significant investor interest and a scalable, cost-effective platform, the startup is not only capturing new perspectives of Earth but also redefining the future of aerial imaging.
In a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological climate, it will be fascinating to see how Near Space Labs continues to adapt and grow its innovative approach to high-resolution imagery.
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