This Portuguese Startup Just Raised $16.9M to Make Space Safer

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-05

Space is getting crowded. And not just with satellites—with risks. Between speeding debris, cyber attacks, and even jamming signals, keeping a satellite safe is no longer a simple task. That's exactly the problem Neuraspace, a company based in Coimbra, Portugal, is tackling head-on. Today, the company announced a fresh injection of $16.9 million (€15.6 million) in funding. The round brings together private investors like Lince Capital, Explorer Investments, and Armilar Venture Partners, along with support from Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan. It's a strong vote of confidence in a startup that's been quietly building a reputation as one of Europe's most promising space tech players. ### Why Space Safety Is Getting Harder You might think the biggest threat to a satellite is a collision with space junk. And you'd be right—that's a huge problem. But it's not the only one. Neuraspace points out that satellite operators now face cyber attacks, radio-frequency interference, and even GNSS spoofing, where bad actors send fake signals to trick a satellite's navigation system. Jamming and other counterspace activities are also on the rise. Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace, puts it simply: "Safety and security are no longer separate challenges—they are two sides of the same operational problem." Her point is that protecting a satellite means dealing with both accidental risks and intentional threats, often at the same time. ### What Neuraspace Actually Does Founded in 2020, Neuraspace offers what it calls Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) solutions. In plain English, that means they help satellite operators know what's happening around their spacecraft and make smart decisions quickly. Their platform pulls in data from a mix of commercial and sovereign sensors. Then, using AI, it assesses risks—whether that's a potential collision or a suspicious signal—and offers autonomous decision support. Instead of waiting for a human to crunch the numbers, operators can get rapid answers and act fast. Here's a quick breakdown of what they offer: - **AI-enabled risk assessment:** Predicting collision risks and potential threats before they become problems. - **Autonomous decision support:** Helping operators choose the best course of action, fast. - **Sovereign sensing infrastructure:** Reducing Europe's reliance on external surveillance capabilities. ### Impressive Growth and Big Contracts Neuraspace isn't just pitching an idea; they're showing real traction. The company reports revenue growth of over 350% in the past year. Right now, they're monitoring more than 600 satellites for customers like Spire Global, GEOSAT, NanoAvionics, Sidus Space, and even the European Space Agency. They've also secured contracts with the Portuguese Air Force and NATO. Most recently, they were picked as the prime contractor by the European MoD. That's a big deal, especially for a company that's only been around for a few years. Vasco Pereira Coutinho, CEO of Lince Capital, believes Neuraspace is well-positioned to become a leading provider in its field. "Neuraspace has established itself as one of Europe's most promising space technology companies," he said, highlighting their technical execution and growing commercial traction. ### What's Next for Neuraspace? With this new capital, the company plans to accelerate its growth. The funding will go toward expanding their AI platform, speeding up autonomous mission operations, and growing their own network of optical sensors. They'll also continue developing NeuraspaceDEF, a service designed specifically for government and defense users. It's a smart move. As space becomes more contested, the need for reliable, AI-powered awareness will only grow. Neuraspace seems to be positioning itself right at the center of that demand, and with this funding, they have the resources to push forward.