Participated · Series B · Feb 2023

Exotrail develops electric propulsion systems and related products to enhance small-satellite mobility, deployment and on-orbit performance. The company intends to expand its product range to improve satellite mobility and help reduce space pollution. Exotrail raised $58 million in a Series B to fund those efforts. CEO and co-founder Jean-Luc Maria said the company will accelerate positioning its mobility hub as the world reference for moving assets in space and to be the preferred partner for space companies. The business is part of a broader uptick in European spacetech funding and drew broad participation from public and private French investors. Exotrail develops electric propulsion systems and spacecraft flight software for smallsats, including the ExoOPS mission‑design software released in March. The company targets satellites from 10 to 250 kilograms and has demonstration propulsion systems awaiting and scheduled for multiple launches. Exotrail plans to expand manufacturing from roughly 10 units a year to about 100 by 2022–2023 and increase headcount from 27 to 50. It aims to release a spacecraft operations software program and to develop an in-space transportation vehicle called Space Van, targeting a 2024 demonstration and envisioned evolution into a satellite servicer by 2025. Exotrail began generating revenue in the current year, a milestone that helped attract investors. The company operates from Massy and Toulouse, France. Exotrail develops proprietary electric thruster technology and plug-in operational software for small satellites. The company is developing two propulsion systems: ExoMG–nano for 10–20kg satellites and ExoMG-micro for satellites up to 100kg. It targets integrators and constellation operators and has founding clients who have committed interest in its propulsion systems. Exotrail raised $4.1M (€3.5M) in a round completed via a public financing offer to support prototype demonstration and product finalization. Planned uses include demonstrating the prototype thruster in space, finalizing product and service offerings, delivering first functional systems to founding clients, and accelerating design of mission-optimization software. The company was founded in 2015 and planned to expand its team from six people to more than sixteen by the end of the calendar year.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2020

Kinéis develops a constellation of nanosatellites to provide global connectivity and data collection for IoT, working with terrestrial IoT operators, device manufacturers and existing satellite operators. The company debuted in 2018 as a CLS Group spin-off and is Occitanie-based. Kinéis aims to add 25 nanosatellites and place them into orbit by 2022, with a goal of connecting several million objects worldwide by 2030. Its first components include Argos operational payloads on seven satellites and the ANGELS prototype, launched in December 2019. The satellites will weigh under 30 kg, be fitted with electric propulsion for end-of-life de-orbiting and include collision-avoidance capabilities to comply with France’s Space Operations Act and reduce space debris. Kinéis has appointed Alexandre Tisserant as President and secured funding to focus on satellite manufacturing and commercial deployment.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2020

Kinéis is an independent, private satellite operator founded in 2018 that is developing a nanosatellite constellation to provide global connectivity for IoT devices. The company works with terrestrial IoT operators, existing satellite operators and connected-object manufacturers to locate and collect data worldwide. Kinéis reached its capital-raising target of €100 million to fund satellite manufacturing and commercial deployment. With the funds it plans to add 25 nanosatellites and aims to have the constellation in orbit by 2022. Kinéis has established commercial partnerships with Bouygues Telecom, Suez, the Wize Alliance and Arribada and reports a filled order book. The satellites will weigh less than 30 kg and include electric propulsion for end-of-life de-orbiting and collision-avoidance, and the project will comply with France’s Space Operations Act to avoid space debris. Major technical support and backing comes from the French space agency CNES.