Swiss-based DPhi Space secures €2.2M to democratise access to space; here’s how

Lausanne-based DPhi Space, a Swiss startup specialising in shared satellites for hosted payloads, has secured CHF 2.1M (approximately €2.22M) in pre-seed funding. 

QBIT Capital led the investment round, which included contributions from Zurich Cantonal Bank, Apprecia Capital, Kickfund, and other strategic investors.

This funding is a key milestone for DPhi Space. It will allow the company to launch its first Clustergate platform into orbit and enhance its services, making space access more affordable and accessible.

Democratising space access

Founded in 2024 by Aziz Belkhiria, Michael Linder and Julian Harris, DPhi Space envisions space as an extension of Earth. It aims to make it more accessible while laying the groundwork for a spacefaring future.

The company develops ridesharing satellite platforms that enable fast and cost-effective software and hardware deployment in orbit. 

Its first product, Clustergate, aggregates multiple hosted payloads in a standardised container. It features an in-house-developed computing and software platform for seamless integration, in-orbit computing, AI processing, and real-time data analytics.

DPhi Space claims its solution is a game changer because it significantly reduces costs by eliminating the need for dedicated satellite missions. It offers plug-and-play access, allowing users with no space expertise to deploy payloads easily. 

The flexible infrastructure supports both hardware and software payloads, while its Clustergate platform functions like a data centre in space, enabling cloud computing capabilities in orbit.

Capital utilisation

With this funding, DPhi Space is growing its engineering team and advancing hosted payload technology and in-orbit computing capabilities.

Aziz Belkhiria, co-founder & CEO of DPhi Space, says, “This funding round brings us closer to our vision of making space more accessible through a shared satellite infrastructure.”

“With Clustergate’s upcoming launch, we’re excited to support multiple commercial customers—whether they’re expanding their constellations or reaching space for the first time.”