LOGAN, UTAH, August 2, 2019, — Precious Payload, now a digital service to manage space missions, announces the pre-seed funding round led by a UAE-based investment firm Forte Mare.
Precious Payload was founded in the USA back in 2017 as a launch booking platform for small satellites. Since then it has connected over 100 space missions to over 25 launch providers through its online service, generating several hundred thousand US dollars of revenue in subscriptions and commissions. This August, the company announces it is changing its business model to deliver complete mission management via an online platform.
«We had an idea of building a digital freight-forwarder since the early days but decided to focus on launch to prove our software-only approach. The current hype cycle of investment in hardware will end soon, and the market will try to leverage technology to create sustainable businesses. Digital service to fast-track a tech demo or get to the revenue is an ideal way to build a space business.» — says Andrey Maksimov, the company’s CEO.
«Imagine a team of experts that runs those RFI/RFPs for you, navigates through various launch scenarios, connects ground stations, deals with all the paperwork and licenses. Now wrap this all into the online service that keeps everyone on the same page and visualizes all the current and next steps to get your business into space. This is what we are building here.» — says Daria Ryzhkova, the company Chief Product Officer.
To showcase the advantages of the new product, Precious Payload features a first client of the new approach. Pixxel, a satellite constellation and the only Asian participant in an inaugural Techstars Starburst accelerator led by US Air Force, has entrusted Precious Payload to manage their first tech demo mission to be launched in Q4 2020. «Working with the team behind Precious Payload is like a breath of fresh air. You are always aware of what is going on, what are the next steps, what are your options. It enables us to liberate more time and resources to talk to our customers and build our product.» — says Awais Ahmed, the CEO of Pixxel.
Precious Payload delivers the service through the range of industry partners, including Momentus Space, GK Launch Services, Orbital Transports, and others to be announced soon. The company hosts a side meeting on Wednesday, Aug 6, to present the roadmap of the product.
«The team behind Precious Payload has a great track record of building successful cross-border online businesses in regulated industries. We think software companies in Smallsat sector have a unique opportunity to deliver the service globally while keeping overheads low and outpacing the traditional hardware approach.» — says Mike Afonskiy, an asset manager of Forte Mare fund.
Forte Mare is a private investment vehicle, based in the United Arab Emirates and deploying capital into both private equity and public markets. The fund leads the investment round of undisclosed amount into Precious Payload, which has also been supported by the number of international angel investors.
