# Capella Space

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/capella-space

- Industry: Telecoms
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Website: www.capellaspace.com
- Total disclosed funding: $207M
- Latest round: Series C (Jan 10, 2023)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Capella Space Corp. is a US-based company specializing in advanced Earth observation services through Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, delivering high-precision imagery for various sectors worldwide.Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, US, Capella Space Corp. provides innovative satellite imagery solutions. The company has executed a total of 8 deals, with its most recent funding round being a Series C, raising USD 60.00 mn led by US Innovative Technology Fund. The firm is co-founded by Payam Banazadeh, who has a background in aerospace engineering and previously worked at NASA.Capella Space specializes in providing advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite services, which offer high-precision, all-weather Earth observation capabilities. Their core product, SAR imagery, functions by using radar signals to penetrate atmospheric conditions such as clouds, fog, and darkness, allowing for near real-time monitoring and data collection regardless of weather or lighting conditions. This technology enables customers to capture high-resolution images with a remarkable accuracy of sub 0.25 meter, facilitating applications in various sectors including environmental monitoring, disaster response, intelligence, and insurance. Capella's customer base includes government agencies, commercial enterprises, and humanitarian organizations across multiple geographical markets, including North America, Europe, and Asia, where the demand for reliable Earth observation data is critical for decision-making and operational efficiency.Capella Space generates revenue primarily through subscription-based models and partnerships with clients seeking access to its SAR data and imagery services. These transactions typically involve direct agreements between Capella and its clients, including government entities, private companies, and research institutions. Clients may choose from various pricing plans tailored to their data needs, which encompass options for one-time purchases or recurring subscriptions that provide ongoing access to updated imagery and analytics. The company’s flagship offerings are centered around its high-resolution SAR data, which are integral to the operations of users involved in site monitoring, damage assessment, and environmental analysis. Capella’s structured approach to pricing and service delivery ensures that clients receive timely and actionable insights that support their operational goals.In May 2025, IonQ, Inc. agreed to acquire Capella Space Corp. from its existing investors. This acquisition aims to enable IonQ to integrate Capella Space’s satellite imaging and infrastructure to accelerate the development of a global quantum key distribution network for ultra-secure space-based communications. As Capella moves forward, it is expected to focus on expanding its service offerings and entering new geographic markets, further enhancing its capabilities in Earth observation technology.

## Funding rounds

- Series C, Jan 10, 2023, $60M — United States Innovative Technology
- Series C, Apr 25, 2022, $97M — DCVC, Alumni Ventures Group, Cota Capital, NightDragon
- Series B, Apr 5, 2019, $14M — Cota Capital
- Series B, Aug 23, 2018, $19M — Spark Capital, Harmony Partners, DCVC, Mark VC
- Series A, May 3, 2017, $15M — Spark Capital
- Seed, Nov 17, 2016, $3M — Canaan Partners, DCVC

## Investors

- Canaan Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/canaan-partners) — Seed
- DCVC (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/dcvc) — Seed, Series B, Series C
- Spark Capital — Series A, Series B
- Harmony Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/harmony-partners) — Series B
- Mark VC (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/mark-vc) — Series B
- Cota Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/cota-capital) — Series B, Series C
- Alumni Ventures Group (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/alumni-ventures-group) — Series C
- NightDragon (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/nightdragon) — Series C
- United States Innovative Technology (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/united-states-innovative-technology) — Series C