• Exotrail

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2018

  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.

No current team members are available.