Uk Thermal Imaging Firm Secures 40 Million Boost As Europe Revs Up Space Efforts

Europe’s Growing Military Space Capabilities Pose Opportunities for Companies Like SatVu and GMV

A growing number of companies are poised to benefit from Europe’s newfound investment in its military space capabilities. Among them are British thermal imagery startup SatVu and Spanish tech firm GMV, both of which have secured significant funding to further their respective endeavors.

SatVu, a British-based company specializing in advanced thermal imaging solutions, has recently secured £30 million ($40 million) in its latest financing round. The injection of capital comes from a diverse pool of investors, including the NATO Innovation Fund, the UK government’s British Investment Bank, and other venture capital firms. This funding round brings SatVu’s total equity funding to £60 million, a significant milestone for the company.

The NATO Innovation Fund has taken notice of SatVu’s promising technology, with its focus on “deep tech” initiatives positioning it well to support innovative companies like SatVu. By investing in the company, NATO is effectively lending its seal of approval to SatVu’s military-grade thermal imaging solutions.

At the heart of SatVu’s success lies its proprietary HotSat satellite series. Designed to provide enhanced thermal imaging capabilities for military applications, these satellites have garnered significant interest from European defense ministries. With the launch of its first satellite, HotSat-1 in June 2023, followed by a successful reflight with new payloads, SatVu has demonstrated its commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology.

The company’s latest satellite, HotSat-2, is set to make its maiden voyage on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter 16 mission in the coming weeks. Following this launch, SatVu plans to deploy HotSat-3 sometime before the end of the year. These satellites are critical components of SatVu’s strategy to provide advanced thermal imaging capabilities to European military forces.

The growth of space-related venture capital investments in Europe is a testament to the increasing importance of military space capabilities on the continent. According to a recent study sponsored by the NATO Investment Fund and Dealroom, European “Defence, Security and Resilience” startups secured a record $8.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2025, representing a 55% increase from 2024 and four times greater than 2020 levels.

This surge in funding can be attributed to the growing demand for breakthrough technologies that address critical capabilities for NATO nations, such as freedom of operations, mobility, awareness, decision making, and security of critical technologies. The study highlights the significant role that late-stage mega-rounds have played in fueling this growth, with many startups securing substantial investments to support their innovative solutions.

In addition to SatVu, Spain’s Defence Ministry has also announced a new agreement with GMV for a satellite tracking antenna based at Morón Air Base in Seville. The Focusear antenna will provide critical data to the Space Command (Mando del Espacios) for its Space Operations and Surveillance Center, located at Torrejón Air Base near Madrid.

The Focusear antenna is a key component of GMV’s Space Situational Awareness and Control System, which has been adopted by COVE, Spain’s Space Command. This system provides a range of critical capabilities, including orbital calculation and propagation, space object catalog management, atmospheric reentry prediction, and GNSS signal degradation analysis.

COVE’s adoption of GMV’s solution highlights the growing importance of space situational awareness in Europe’s defense strategy. The center is also supporting NATO and European Union space-related activities, underscoring the region’s commitment to cooperation and collaboration on matters of military significance.

NATO’s Military Committee has paid a visit to Torrejón earlier this month, further emphasizing the importance of space capabilities for the alliance. As European nations continue to invest in their military space programs, companies like SatVu and GMV are well-positioned to capitalize on these efforts.

With significant backing from the NATO Innovation Fund, SatVu is poised to make a lasting impact in the field of thermal imaging solutions for military applications. The company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology has earned it a reputation as a leader in its field, with a growing list of accolades and awards to its name.

As the European defense landscape continues to evolve, companies like SatVu and GMV will play a crucial role in supporting the development of advanced space capabilities. With their innovative solutions and strategic investments, they are poised to contribute significantly to the region’s military modernization efforts.