Why we invested in SatVu: Capturing high resolution thermal data from space

We are pleased to announce our first investment from the Adara Ventures Energy Fund in SatVu, a global leader in cutting-edge infrared imaging technology. We co-led the £20 million investment alongside Molten Ventures, with support from existing investors NOA, Lockheed Martin, Seraphim, Ridgeline and Stellar Ventures. 

SatVu was established in 2016 in the UK with the mission of commercializing high-resolution thermal imagery from space. After a period of research and development, the company was awarded £1m from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme in 2021 to build a compact high-resolution infrared camera, which would eventually go into space on the company’s first satellite, HotSat-1.

Introducing the missing data layer to address the cost of rising temperatures

The launch of HotSat-1 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in June 2023 has introduced unprecedented thermal monitoring capabilities to the Earth observation sector. Before HotSat-1, space-based thermal images were limited to a resolution of 50-100 meters. With the HotSat constellation, a resolution 20 times greater is now achievable. 

This advancement brings significant cost-saving benefits to both the public and private sectors. Given that more than 50% of essential climate variables are measurable only from space, SatVu is set to transform the way we monitor the significant impacts of human infrastructure.

By capturing 3.5 meter GSD NADIR resolution thermal data in near real-time, SatVu can provide new insight into global carbon emissions and energy activities. From evaluating heat loss in buildings to measuring energy efficiency,  geospatial data from SatVu can help enhance global strategic planning and accelerate the path toward decarbonization. 

SatVu's leadership team is headed by Founder and CEO Anthony Baker, who boasts over 20 years of experience in satellite technology. Previously, he served as the founding CEO of Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, and held the position of Vice President at SES in Luxembourg. His impressive career also includes key roles at AsiaSat in Hong Kong and NATO in the Netherlands.

Partnering with him is co-founder and CTO Tobias Reinicke, a seasoned GIS Developer and Remote Sensing specialist, and CFO Camilla Taylor, whose extensive expertise in climate and impact technology includes seven years as an investor at a specialized climate and clean tech fund.

This new investment will help the company accelerate the launch of two new satellites, HotSat-2 and HotSat-3, which are designed to deliver essential thermal data for assessing energy production, efficiency, industrial activity, and emissions movement.

The Adara view: Transforming high-resolution infrared imagery into valuable insights

We are delighted to begin the investment phase of the Adara Ventures Energy Fund with SatVu. Their mission aligns perfectly with the goals of our Energy Fund, and we believe their cutting-edge infrared imaging technology holds the potential to transform energy operations and fuel exciting new data applications. We look forward to supporting the SatVu team as they enter this next phase of growth.

About the Adara Ventures Energy Fund

The Adara Ventures Energy Fund aims to identify and support the next generation of tech pioneers building solutions for energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Backed by the European Investment Fund and leading energy companies, including Redeia and Grupo Energía Bogotá, the Adara Ventures Energy Fund invests in early-stage companies with strengths in software, data, and electronics to drive innovation in energy solutions. The fund is classified under Article 9 of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) for its commitment to sustainable investment objectives and environmental goals. Learn more here.