Blackwave develops and manufactures highly complex carbon components that cannot be produced using conventional manufacturing processes. The components are characterized by low weight and high stability. Most recently, the company secured funding of four million euros in February 2022. Now a seed round extension of 6.1 million euros follows.
The financing round is led by Alpine Space Ventures, which has already invested in Blackwave previously. It was recently announced that the Munich VC expanded its capital by 10 million euros, which it was able to raise from the NATO Innovation Fund. Alpine Space Ventures specializes in early-stage investments in the space sector. The Munich investor focuses on technologies that, in its assessment, demonstrate the strongest market demand and the shortest path to commercialization: satellite connectivity and geodata. The VC’s assets under management amount to approximately 100 million euros.
Pressure vessels for launch vehicles and satellites
Back to Blackwave: The Munich startup intends to use the current investment to offer high-pressure tanks made of carbon fiber for launch vehicles, satellites, and other space-related applications. Bastian Behrens, CEO of Blackwave, comments on this:
“We are more than happy to finally be able to present what we have been working on for 18 months and what no one else has tackled so far: commercially available pressure vessels for launch vehicles and satellites that are lightweight, affordable, and available within a few days.”
The concentration of New Space capital at Blackwave is no accident. Carbon components are significantly lighter compared to other materials. And since every gram counts in space travel, Blackwave’s products are very interesting for the industry.
New Chief Operating Officer for Blackwave
In addition to the funding, the company also announces that Jakob Berghofer, who previously worked for optical component manufacturer Zeiss and robotics company Kuka, will become the new Chief Operating Officer of Blackwave.
