SkyFi raises $12.7 million to scale satellite data marketplace

WASHINGTON — SkyFi, a U.S. geospatial data company that aggregates satellite imagery and analytics from partner operators rather than owning spacecraft itself, said Jan. 14 it raised $12.7 million in an oversubscribed Series A round, underscoring continued investor interest in data-driven space businesses with commercial and defense applications.

The round was co-led by Buoyant Ventures and IronGate Capital Advisors, with new participation from DNV Ventures, TFX Ventures, Beyond Earth Tech, Nova Threshold and Chris Morisoli. Existing investors RSquared VCand J2 Ventures also participated.

SkyFi, based in Austin, Texas, operates a geospatial marketplace that brings together imagery and analytics from more than 50 providers across optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), hyperspectral and aerial data, as well as downstream analytics. The approach is often described as a “virtual constellation,” allowing customers to access a broad range of sensors and revisit rates through a single interface without relying on any one satellite operator.

“This funding is a testament to the strong demand for a more accessible approach to Earth observation data,” said Luke Fischer, chief executive and cofounder of SkyFi. “This capital will allow us to scale our platform and empower more customers globally to leverage satellite data to solve critical challenges across various industries.”

Fischer said the company plans to pursue new partnerships with satellite operators to expand its on-demand data offerings, adding depth to the marketplace as more commercial constellations come online. SkyFi positions itself as a distribution and procurement layer, simplifying access to imagery that has traditionally been sold through bespoke contracts.

Laura Katzman, a partner at Buoyant Ventures, said SkyFi’s platform stands out because it “opens the door to critical applications in energy, agriculture, climate monitoring, disaster response and defense.” Those use cases reflect the dual-use nature of high-resolution geospatial data, which is increasingly relevant to both commercial customers and government users.

Fischer said investor appetite for space-focused companies remains strong, contributing to the oversubscribed round.

“You’re seeing this transition period where not only customers, but investors are realizing space is an area to make a bet in,” he said.

He added that the investor mix in SkyFi’s Series A — spanning firms focused on commercial technology alongside those with defense and government portfolios — mirrors how geospatial data is being adopted across sectors.