Skynopy
Overview
Skynopy is a Paris-based NewSpace startup founded in late 2023 by former Loft Orbital executives Pierre Bertrand (CEO) and Antonin Hirsch (CTO). The company specializes in providing ground station services for low Earth orbit satellites. It aims to disrupt the satellite ground segment market by offering high-speed, hybrid ground station services with a focus on S, X, and Ka bands. Skynopy has quickly raised €15 million to finance the global expansion of its satellite ground station network, with support from investors like Alven, Expansion, Omnes, and CNES through their SpaceFounders programme.
Recent Developments
- June 2025: Skynopy raised €15 million in a fast-tracked funding round aimed at global deployment of their high-throughput satellite ground station network. The company highlighted a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy additional ground stations. The venture capital firm Alven led this investment along with notable partners including Expansion, Omnes, and CNES via SpaceFounders, enhancing Skynopy’s resource pool.
- May 2025: Skynopy attended the SmallSat Europe 2025 conference in Amsterdam, where they showcased their end-to-end connectivity services aimed at easing the operational overhead for Earth observation satellite missions.
- October 2024: The company announced a partnership with Kinéis to expand Skynopy’s proprietary ground stations. This move was a significant step in building global correspondent sites, integrating cutting-edge flat-panel phased array antenna technologies.
- September 2024: Skynopy entered into a partnership with AWS to integrate 12 additional ground stations within its network. This collaboration is aimed at bolstering Skynopy’s infrastructure capabilities, facilitating rapid deployment across diverse geographies.
- June 2024: Skynopy secured $3.1 million in early-stage funding, emphasizing a strategic focus on developing its hybrid network and securing capabilities for real-time satellite data transmission. The company has been leveraging existing infrastructure while adding proprietary technology to create a comprehensive service model.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | Late 2023 |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Founders | Pierre Bertrand (CEO), Antonin Hirsch (CTO) |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Alven, Expansion, Omnes, CNES SpaceFounders, Heartcore Capital, Kima Ventures, Better Angle |
| Industry | Satellite Communications |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 13 employees |
Early History
Skynopy was founded in late 2023 by Pierre Bertrand and Antonin Hirsch, who capitalized on their experience as executives at Loft Orbital to establish a company aiming to revolutionize satellite communications. The founders identified untapped potential within the satellite ground station sector — a niche segment sidelined by explosive advances in satellite launch capabilities and in-orbit technologies. Within its first few months, Skynopy pivoted quickly, adopting a "Ground Stations as a Service" (GSaaS) model inspired by the "as-a-service" trends dominating tech industries. This allowed them to integrate existing ground infrastructure with proprietary innovations. With initial funding from European investors, they aggressively pursued strategic partnerships to bolster network reach, positioning Skynopy as a key player in satellite ground operations.
Company Profile and Achievements
Skynopy’s business model hinges on reducing the complexity associated with traditional satellite communications by offering a comprehensive, seamless connectivity service. The company provides a hybrid network across 18 strategic ground station locations assessed according to functionality, latency, and data throughput concerns. Their modular approach means integrating both partner and proprietary stations, enabling operators to interface seamlessly across different satellite missions.
- Innovative Solutions: Skynopy’s offerings double the volume of data downloaded per satellite pass while significantly reducing revisit times, thus positioning their services as optimal for hyperspectral imaging and video data demands.
- Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration with Amazon Web Services and Kinéis underscores Skynopy’s strategy to leverage existing expertise and infrastructure to expand capabilities efficiently. This has resulted in a dual-benefit network that facilitates not just connectivity but also extends capabilities to include sophisticated software-driven tasking.
- Market Potential: The AKAR project remains a cornerstone of Skynopy’s long-term strategy, representing an all-encompassing orbital connectivity infrastructure capable of supporting burgeoning data demands of modern Earth observation and remote-sensing applications.
Current Operations and Market Position
Skynopy currently operates a network exceeding 30 antennas internationally, enabling low Earth orbit satellite operators to utilize comprehensive communications without heavy upfront investments. As of mid-2025, the company is strategically focusing on meeting the escalating data requirements of Earth observation and other data-intensive applications.
- Market Presence: Boasting strategic presence through key partnerships, including AWS, Skynopy is set to challenge leading incumbents in the satellite ground segment market.
- Strategic Advances: Skynopy’s role as an intermediary service provider ensures that satellite operators can optimize operations across permutations of different satellite missions, maintaining data sovereignty while increasing both connectivity and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
Skynopy stands out by fundamentally altering the ground station landscape through agile, interoperable, and CAPEX-free service models. As the space industry gravitates towards efficiently managing burgeoning data demands, Skynopy’s focus remains on widespread deployment plans for the AKAR network, scheduled for completion by 2028. Through these initiatives, Skynopy aims to cement their influence as a linchpin within orbital telecommunications, driving connectivity innovations aligned with industry needs. Skynopy's ongoing growth will undoubtedly contribute substantial advancements in how satellite operators manage their ground communications moving forward.