Spacetech Soonicorn Pixxel Eyes US Expansion With New Subsidiary
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Bengaluru-based Pixxel has set up a new subsidiary in the US, Pixxel Federal, to tap into the US government market and build on its existing engagements with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
The startup, which just raised $100 Mn last month, is now planning to set up an office around Washington, DC to work more closely with government customers and partners.
The US subsidiary intends to offer earth observation technologies, satellite mission systems and geospatial intelligence to American government agencies across civilian, defence and intelligence sectors.
“The US government market represents a significant opportunity for Pixxel as we expand our capabilities beyond hyperspectral imaging into advanced sensing technologies, software, and satellite systems,” said the startup’s founder and CEO Awais Ahmed.
Pixxel executive Allyson Jenkins – previously Vice President, Public Sector – has been appointed CEO of Pixxel Federal. She had already been leading the company’s US government business since joining in January 2025.
Important to mention that Pixxel recently secured a contract through NASA’s Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Programme and a Strategic Commercial Enhancements contract from the NRO. The new subsidiary will build on these relationships to pursue additional federal contracts and strengthen the company’s position in the US space and geospatial intelligence market.
It will leverage Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellites, Earth intelligence software and satellite mission systems for applications such as camouflage detection, terrain characterisation, critical mineral and rare earth element detection, environmental monitoring and agriculture.
Founded in 2019 by BITS Pilani alumni Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, Pixxel claims to operate the world’s highest-resolution constellation of commercial hyperspectral satellites, which can capture light across a large number of narrow wavelength bands to identify details or changes on the Earth’s surface that conventional imagery may miss.
Besides its US government contracts, Pixxel has won multiple iDEX challenges in India from the Ministry of Defence and is currently developing a public-private Earth observation satellite constellation under IN-SPACe. The proposed constellation, which is expected to be India’s first of its kind, will comprise 12 satellites carrying different types of imaging sensors.
In September, the startup raised $100 Mn in a Series C round co-led by Temasek and Seraphim, marking the largest single investment round for an Indian spacetech company.
With the round, Pixxel’s total private funding now is around $195 Mn. Investors like Google, Radical Ventures, growX ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, 360 ONE Asset, are on its cap table.
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