Securing $9.5 Million Funding
Imagine a developer platform for the sky? That’s the vision of OurSky, a startup established last year with the goal of enhancing access to aerial observational data through a software platform and a global telescope network. The company recently announced a $9.5 million seed funding round led by Upfront Ventures, along with Oceans Ventures, Venrex Investment Management, Marlinspike Partners, and Embedded Ventures to expedite the development of its scopes and developer platform.
Chemistry of OurSky’s Developer Platform
CEO and co-founder, Dan Roelker, likened OurSky’s developer platform to the chemistry of AWS, making it easier for developers to obtain and work with data. He highlighted the challenges faced by satellite operators in acquiring and processing data, emphasizing the significant simplification brought by OurSky’s platform.
Critically, the startup positions itself as a new and cost-effective alternative to existing systems, offering development tools and open APIs that can be utilized by companies monitoring space conditions.
Founders’ Vision and Background
OurSky, founded by Roelker and serial technology entrepreneur Alex Hawkinson in October 2022, emerged from the recognition of the need for a developer platform capable of accessing and analyzing real-time data on celestial objects.
Roelker, with a background in software engineering, previously worked with notable companies like BAE Systems, Raytheon, SpaceX (as VP of Software Engineering for Falcon, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, and Starship programs), and OpenSea (as VP of Engineering for NFT marketplace). He recalled significant moments during his time at SpaceX, including the launch that followed the CRS-7 incident and the historic landing of the Falcon rocket.
Challenges and Three Key Elements
OurSky faces various challenges in building the world’s largest telescope network, with three key elements: proprietary telescopes owned and operated by OurSky, scopes contributed by a professional community, and a broad enthusiast community. Based in Los Angeles, California, the startup already has 30 telescopes under its ownership, strategically positioned at new locations globally, and has engaged 35 astronomy enthusiasts in its network.
Connecting with Communities
Rather than just buying a group of telescopes, OurSky’s focus is on connecting with the existing infrastructure of an enthusiast community. The company aims to use a substantial portion of its funds to develop a sophisticated software platform, catering to the diverse needs from research to commercial applications, and supporting users in the astronomy community with free access to image stacking capabilities.
Strategic move of OurSky
As the company grows, Roelker emphasized that the progress of OurSky is a strategic move to carefully allocate capital for future market developments in the next one or two years. The goal is not just to build a network but also to understand how the market evolves. He highlighted the necessity of being well-funded, not just in network development but also in observing long-term trends to align with market growth in the next one or two years. The intention is to ensure that the capital is widely utilized and that OurSky progresses in sync with the market.
Long-Term Perspective
In Roelker’s words, ‘We want to make sure we are using this investment with wisdom and a long-term perspective. We see it as a game, where being well-capitalized is essential, not just in how we build the network but, in reality, we are looking at long time frames here to grow with the market in the next one or two years. We wanted to make sure we had enough capital to move forward with this evolution.
Conclusion
OurSky, a startup founded in 2022, secured a $9.5 million seed funding led by Upfront Ventures. It aims to simplify aerial observational data access through a global telescope network, providing a cost-effective alternative for developers. CEO Dan Roelker envisions a platform akin to AWS, focusing on connecting with enthusiast communities. With 30 telescopes already owned, OurSky plans to allocate funds for a sophisticated software platform, emphasizing a strategic, well-capitalized approach to align with market trends in the next one or two years.
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