Ravee Optics announced Monday a $6 million seed funding round to accelerate development of compact laser terminals for inter-satellite optical communications. The Dayton, Ohio–based startup says it is targeting smaller, lighter devices that are easier to manufacture at scale and capable of delivering “10 to 100 times” the capacity of current standards.
Un oversubscribed seed round to back engineering
The oversubscribed seed round was led by BIG Capital and includes participation from JobsOhio Ventures and CincyTech. Ravee says the proceeds will be used primarily for engineering and product development, with the goal of validating the technology in orbit and within operational satellite networks.
Compact laser terminals: promise and challenges
Ravee is developing compact laser terminals to transmit data between satellites in orbit. The company says its approach combines tailored optics with designs optimized for high-volume manufacturing to reduce size, mass and production complexity—key requirements for wide deployment across satellite constellations.
A team rooted in optical research
Ravee was founded by CEO Piyush Shah and CTO Augustine Urbas. The founding team brings decades of experience in optical technologies, including work at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, the company says.
Traction and ecosystem validation
Ravee participated in the Startup Space 2026 competition during SATShow Week and completed Seraphim Space’s accelerator program last year—milestones that signal growing visibility within the space ecosystem.
Next steps
Ravee Optics is now focused on real-world testing and maturing products for volume manufacturing. If the company’s claims of multiplied throughput are validated in orbit, these compact laser terminals could lower the barrier to expanding inter-satellite optical links and help meet rising demand for on‑orbit data transport.
