Italian startup Involve, a pioneering force in stratospheric balloon technology, has successfully closed a €2.5 million Seed funding round. This significant investment follows the company’s impressive track record of 30 commercial launches and rigorous testing of its innovative technology.
Involve specializes in advanced stratospheric pseudo-satellite platforms, combined with cutting-edge software to deliver real-time, high-resolution data. This technology is pivotal for applications in environmental protection, natural resource management, and infrastructure security. With this funding, Involve aims to enhance flight duration, refine control systems using artificial intelligence, and expand payload capacity. Additionally, the company plans to bolster its team, focusing on aerospace expertise.
The Seed round was led by Earlybird Venture Capital and saw participation from Takeoff, Unicredit, Fondazione CRT, Plug and Play, and TLI Space. It also included €500,000 in convertible loans. Notably, Involve has become the first Italian startup to be selected by Earlybird-X, an achievement that underscores the company’s rapid ascent in the aerospace sector.
Dr. Philipp Semmer, Partner at Earlybird-X, commented, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jonathan, Claudio, and the entire Involve team as they develop the next generation of high-altitude balloon platforms. Their remarkable progress with minimal capital and their ability to attract top-tier talent like Alastair Westgarth signify a transformative shift in Earth observation technology.”
The addition of Alastair Westgarth, former CEO of Google’s Project Loon, to Involve’s Board of Directors and astronaut Paolo Nespoli to the Advisory Board highlights the company’s growing influence and the strategic vision driving its future endeavors.
Jonathan Polotto, CEO and co-founder of Involve, expressed optimism about the future: “Our next major milestone is expanding our operations to Houston, USA. My recent visit allowed us to forge crucial connections and lay the groundwork for our next phase, made possible by the support of Alastair Westgarth and business developer Courtney Stadd, former Deputy Associate Administrator at NASA and ex-Director of Commercial Space at The White House.”
Editorial Opinion:
Involve stands at the forefront of a burgeoning sector that marries aerospace innovation with practical applications. Their stratospheric balloon technology has the potential to redefine how we approach Earth monitoring and resource management. The company’s strategic focus on enhancing flight duration, control systems, and payload capacity demonstrates a forward-thinking approach essential for making significant strides in this high-altitude niche.
The involvement of high-caliber industry veterans like Alastair Westgarth and Paolo Nespoli lends substantial credibility to Involve and signals a bright future. The company’s trajectory aligns with the growing demand for innovative solutions in environmental monitoring and telecommunications. By tapping into this demand and leveraging their technology, Involve is poised to set new standards in the aerospace industry.
If you need further assistance or have any corrections, please reach out to editor@thetimesmag.com.
