Primo Capital | Meet the Portfolio

20 set 2024 Meet the Portfolio, Ecosmic

Meet the Portfolio is a Primo Ventures' format to discover the game-changing companies we support.

In the interview below, Ecosmic tell us about its unique journey

How was Ecosmic born?

Ecosmic was founded by three space engineers with hands-on experience developing software for space missions. The three entrepreneurs always found themselves around friends and family working in big tech companies and they couldn't understand why the development of space software was so inefficient in comparison.

Thanks to Imane’s background in venture capital and consulting, we recognized that the challenges we faced weren’t just limited to space agencies or major aerospace companies. They were widespread, affecting even new Space-scale-ups.

Gaia spent months interviewing industry experts to pinpoint the root of the problem. After nearly 80 meetings with satellite operators, we were able to clearly define the issues and set out to build a solution based on our expertise.

Benedetta, who focused on sustainability in space while working at ESA’s Clean Space Office, played a key role in shaping a solution to make the entire process smoother for satellite operators while simultaneously addressing space debris concerns.

What was the biggest challenge?

One of our biggest challenges has been realizing that, at times, our competitors are also our clients—companies that believe they can build their entire software stack in-house. The current software behind space missions is often a patchwork of legacy code or short-term fixes designed to “get the job done.” This leads to under-optimized systems that frequently experience outages, require constant maintenance, and quickly become outdated.

Where do you see Ecosmic in 10 years?

We aim to revolutionize the software infrastructure behind space missions by transitioning from monolithic systems to a microservices architecture, much like what AWS and Google Cloud have done for other industries. This shift is essential for creating the flexibility and scalability required to manage satellite operations and launch mega constellations efficiently.

In 10 years, we see Ecosmic as the leading provider of software infrastructure for the space industry. Our mission is to simplify satellite software development, making it more accessible, scalable, and efficient.

What are the trends in your sector?

The space industry is undergoing significant changes, driven by several key trends.

First, there is a strong push toward the commoditisation of satellite hardware, drastically reducing the time-to-market of every satellite. Second, software-defined satellites are gaining importance, allowing for more flexible, upgradeable, and customisable missions. Third, there is a growing focus on sustainability and space debris management, leading to innovations in satellite end-of-life strategies and collision avoidance systems. Finally, the integration of AI and machine learning into satellite operations is enhancing data processing capabilities and enabling more autonomous satellite functions.

What makes Ecosmic unique?

Ecosmic's uniqueness lies in our approach to problem-solving and client collaboration. We maintain direct and continuous contact with our clients’ engineering teams to gain deep insights into their pain points. This hands-on approach allows us to frame problems effectively and validate solutions through our beta-testing program.

We focus relentlessly on these challenges, conducting extensive market validation and delivering high-quality software solutions that address the real-world needs of satellite operators. Our business model is designed to be sustainable, offering tiered subscription-based solutions that seamlessly integrate with clients’ existing systems. This is precisely what we achieved with our Space Traffic Management solution.

Who is the ideal investor?

Our ideal investors are those who want to be actively engaged beyond just providing capital. Whether through introductions, tackling tough questions, or simply offering guidance, their value lies in their knowledge, network, and experience. These elements are crucial for first-time founders navigating the early stages of a startup.

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Meet the Portfolio - Ecosmic

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