Leaf Space raises €20m to expand ground station network

Subject to finalisation, the Italian provider of ground segment services for satellite operators can also draw on a €15m loan from the European Investment Bank.

Launched in 2014, Leaf Space is the world’s second largest Ground Segment-as-a-Service (GSaaS) operator and currently supports around 80 satellites. In March 2023 the company reached a milestone with over 10,000 successful satellite passes.

The company said that since 2020, it has seen a three-fold year-over-year increase in core business revenue and significant growth in capacity demand. It added that its ground segment services are essential for managing satellite communications, data downlink and uplink operations for satellite operators globally.

In a statement, Jonata Puglia, Leaf Space CEO and co- founder, said: “This funding will enable us to further expand our global network of ground stations as well as add several new locations worldwide. We also plan to support new frequencies for remote sensing satellites, continue simplifying the user experience of our services, hire new talent to scale up our activities, and proactively work on new segments of the market and special projects with customers and partners.”