The Venture Codex

Participated · Series A · Jun 2023

NUVIEW designs and prototypes space-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) payloads to enable high-resolution, 3D Earth observation from orbit. The company is using the latest Department of Defense NSIC award to rapidly prototype an upgraded LiDAR payload as it works toward its inaugural commercial space-based LiDAR system. That initial payload is intended to become the foundation for a planned satellite constellation offering persistent, high-resolution three-dimensional data. NUVIEW says its data will serve civil agencies, commercial enterprises, and defense organizations worldwide. The $5 million NSIC award builds on prior NSIC funding and is positioned to advance national security, economic competitiveness, and environmental resilience capabilities. CEO Clint Graumann described the award as an inflection point for the company and for U.S. commercial space-based LiDAR capabilities. Nuview develops space-based light detection and ranging (lidar) systems intended to map the entire landmass of Earth at centimeter-level resolution on an annual cadence. The company emerged from stealth in May and plans a constellation of about 20 lidar satellites to achieve its mapping goals. Nuview says it has made progress on addressing the size, weight and cost challenges of lidar systems in space. Financially, the company has raised $15 million so far (a $3 million seed and an in-progress Series A with $12 million closed to date). Nuview also reports it has secured over a billion dollars in early adopter agreements, though that revenue depends on delivering to spec. Clint Graumann is CEO and co-founder and has commented on the company’s environmental mission and technology progress. The company is actively building toward its stated deployment and commercial targets.