Bianca Cefalo, frustrated by the corporate space industry’s stagnation, founded Space DOTS in 2022 to tackle space threats. Her company developed SKY-I, a software platform aiding space tech manufacturers and operators in identifying and understanding both natural and human-made threats in orbit. Cefalo, with extensive experience in the space sector, including roles in NASA’s Insight Mission to Mars and at Airbus Defence and Space, felt constrained by corporate bureaucracy and decided to innovate independently. She highlights that around 15% of spacecraft face anomalies due to a lack of understanding of space conditions.
Space DOTS aims to bridge this gap by generating proprietary in-orbit environmental data, integrating it with external sources for real-time analysis, and providing spacecraft with the intelligence needed to thrive in challenging environments. The company recently secured a $1.5 million seed round led by Female Founders Fund, bringing its total funding to $3.2 million. Cefalo described the fundraising process as challenging yet rewarding, successfully connecting with investors through both direct outreach and introductions.
Space DOTS distinguishes itself from competitors by owning both its hardware and software, focusing on commercial, defense, and threat attribution, and utilizing decentralized software for resilience in multi-orbit operations. Cefalo emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the space industry, aiming to expand her team in London and the U.S. with the new funding. Her vision for the future includes shared knowledge and access to space, ensuring the protection of national infrastructure, civil safety, and defense.
