OroraTech, a German satellite operator, has announced securing an additional €12 million ($13.3 million) in Series B venture funding. This injection of capital will significantly accelerate the expansion of its wildfire-monitoring constellation. The funding round was spearheaded by the BNP Paribas Solar Impulse Venture Fund, a sustainability-focused investment arm of BNP Paribas, one of Europe’s largest banks.
This latest investment brings OroraTech's total venture funding to nearly €60 million, complemented by approximately €40 million in commercial contracts since its inception seven years ago. The company aims to build a comprehensive global platform for wildfire mapping and analysis. A spokesperson for OroraTech stated that the new funds will facilitate the deployment of eight additional heat-tracking cubesats this year. This will substantially improve the revisit time of their existing constellation, currently consisting of 10 satellites in low Earth orbit. A batch of eight 8U cubesats was already launched by Rocket Lab in March.
Beyond satellite deployment, the funding will fuel the development of OroraTech's sophisticated artificial intelligence-powered wildfire modeling tools. It will also support the company's recent expansion into the United States. The Series B extension also saw participation from Rabo Ventures, the early-stage investment arm of Dutch bank Rabobank, alongside existing investors Bayern Kapital, Edaphon, and the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF).
“The increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires poses a significant threat to our planet, emitting billions of tons of CO2 annually, driving biodiversity loss, and diminishing the overall resilience of our ecosystems,” noted Rabo Ventures executive director Shishir Sinha. “As a bank with exposure to forestry and rural sectors, we recognize the urgent need to address these risks.”
OroraTech is experiencing a surge in demand for its wildfire intelligence and situational awareness capabilities from various sectors, including commercial forestry, infrastructure, and insurance providers. While the spokesperson confirmed this increased demand, they declined to offer specific details.