OKAPI:Orbits raises €13M seed funding to accelerate global growth with new European VC funds on board

OKAPI:Orbits secures €13M in total seed funding led by Ventech, with support from Matterwave Ventures, Amadeus APEX Technology Fund, and notable individual investors, to accelerate its global growth.
The funding will accelerate the company’s expansion and innovation by advancing technical capabilities, growing a world-class team, and scaling the company’s international footprint.
Addressing the urgent need for Space Traffic Management, OKAPI:Orbits leverages AI-powered platforms to ensure safer and more sustainable space operations amid rising satellite congestion.

[Braunschweig, 24 April 2025] — OKAPI:Orbits, the leading European Space Traffic Management solutions provider, announces today the completion of its latest financing round led by Ventech, a pan-European early-stage VC deeply rooted in Germany, with strong support from Matterwave Ventures, a European industrial deep tech investor, and existing investors, such as the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund.

In addition to venture capital firms, the company’s new financing round attracted investments from well-known individual investors such as Christian Miele, former chairman of the German Start-up Association. The funding will be used to advance the company’s technical capabilities, expand the team, and scale its international footprint.

OKAPI:Orbits provides end-to-end Space Traffic Management (STM) solutions designed to support space missions from the mission planning phase to end-of-life. The company’s AI-based Space Traffic Management platforms leverage advanced data fusion to predict, detect, and deal with risks and movements in space, frequency interference, and environmental impacts. Besides increasing operational efficiency for satellite operations, OKAPI:Orbits offers full simulation capabilities and tools to ensure compliance with international regulations and standards.

“Our goal is to create lasting value for our customers while ensuring the long-term viability of our orbital environment. This round allows us to further solidify our leading role in the space industry. Based out of Europe and backed by worldwide best talent we are in the unique position to build resilient and independent Space Domain Awareness capabilities for commercial and institutional customers internationally.” commented Kristina Nikolaus, the company’s CEO.

In addition to Europe's focus on space sustainability with regulatory frameworks such as the EU Space Act, ESA launched its Strategy 2040 in March, outlining an ambitious roadmap that emphasises innovation, sustainability and autonomous access to space. In short, the European space industry needs innovative infrastructure and services, and this is where OKAPI:Orbits comes in.

Nicolas Barthalon, Principal at Ventech adds:

“As the interest in space skyrockets, satellite operators are in dire need of an extensive space asset catalogue, trustworthy collision risk predictions, predictable space mission unit economics, and finally an industry-vetted collaboration platform. In that context, Okapi brings the full package thanks to its strong IP and ties to key industry players. We are thrilled to support OKAPI:Orbits in becoming the backbone for safe and sustainable space missions, along with new and existing investors. ”

Benedikt Kronberger, Partner at Matterwave Ventures, adds:

“Billions of consumers, as well as businesses and governments increasingly rely on the delivery of services enabled by satellites. OKAPI:Orbits offers the most advanced and reliable Space Traffic Management solution we have seen, setting new industry standards. Europe needs strong tech champions, particularly also in space tech, and we are committed to supporting the team at OKAPI:Orbits as they scale their impact and drive European leadership in the space sector.”

Wolfgang Neubert, Partner at Amadeus APEX Technology Fund comments:

"We are delighted to reinvest in OKAPI:Orbits as they strengthen their European foothold with established investors, addressing the critical issue of Space Traffic Management where daily conjunctions occur, and operators rely on inadequate communications. Rather than being merely investors, we see ourselves as long-term business partners and are consistently impressed by how the team tackles a genuine market challenge. Their German-engineered solution serves as a neutral, non-political platform where operators can communicate bidirectionally, creating a coordinated protocol for safer orbital operations."

Since its founding in 2018, as one of the first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) companies, by Kristina Nikolaus, Christopher Kebschull, and Jonas Radtke the company has achieved a leading market position, serving commercial and Institutional customers in Europe, Asia, and the USA.

‍

About OKAPI:Orbits:

OKAPI:Orbits is the leading European provider of end-to-end Space Traffic Management solutions. The company has specialized in safeguarding space missions through its AI-based SSA and STM platforms. The firm’s three platforms cover the needs of the full mission lifecycle, from pre-launch to de-orbiting, including full simulation of a space mission pre-launch, compliance and regulations check, collision avoidance, and active traffic coordination.

For more information, visit www.okapiorbits.com

About Ventech:

Ventech is a well-established early-stage venture capital firm in both Europe and Asia with a strong digital focus. Founded in 1998, Ventech backs the most innovative and visionary tech entrepreneurs in diverse sectors with a global ambition. With its dual structure platform, Ventech has dedicated funds for Europe (Paris, Munich, Berlin, Helsinki & Stockholm) and Asia (Shanghai and Hong Kong).

Since its inception, Ventech has raised nearly 1B€ and has realized over 320 investments, (including Vestiaire Collective, Prewave, Ogury, The Customization Group, Veo Technologies, Reveal, Speexx) and over 180 exits (Believe (BLV.PA) – listed on Euronext; Arteris (AIP) listed on Nasdaq; FintecSystems; Withings; 4 Stop, etc.).

For more information, visit www.ventechvc.com, Follow us on LinkedIn and X @Ventech_VC

About Matterwave Ventures

Matterwave Ventures is a leading European Venture Capital firm investing in early-stage hardware and software companies, leading the transformation of the European industrial sector towards a more sustainable, sovereign, and digitalized future. Matterwave’s vision is to regain more technology leadership, production capacity as well as energy and raw material autonomy in Europe. Over the last 25 years, the team invested in over 70 companies at the intersection of ClimateTech, DeepTech and IndustrialTech. With over EUR 250 million of assets under management, Matterwave typically participates in Seed and Series A financing rounds across Europe with initial investments between EUR 1-4 million and significant reserves for follow-on financing rounds.

For more information, visit https://matterwave.vc and follow us on LinkedIn

About the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund:
The Amadeus APEX Technology Fund is a partnership between Amadeus Capital Partners and APEX Ventures to support deep tech early-stage startups. The fund invests in seed and series A deep tech ventures with innovative technology and engineering based on significant scientific advances.

Launched in early 2023, the €80M fund invests in sectors that include artificial intelligence and machine learning; quantum technologies and photonics; mobility and space innovation; autonomous systems and robotics; and other emerging deep tech areas. The fund’s investment committee includes Amadeus Capital Partners’ Anne Glover, Hermann Hauser, and APEX Ventures’ Andreas Riegler and Wolfgang Neubert.

www.apex.ventures

https://www.amadeuscapital.com/

‍