Lightspeed Venture Partners

Founded in 2022 by Karan Kunjur and Neel Kunjur, K2 Space is a California-based company specializing in the development of aerospace hardware products. Their focus lies in creating satellite buses for spacecraft, offering power and propulsion systems that enable defense, commercial, and scientific space operators to deploy advanced payloads across various orbits with enhanced speed and flexibility.

Castelion is a defense technology company that specializes in modernizing military systems. It applies advanced hardware development and manufacturing methods to address key national security challenges, focusing on affordability, scalability, and supply chain resilience. Castelion offers services like high-speed hypersonic testing, thermal protection systems, and avionics, designed to integrate with existing platforms and enhance military capabilities while mitigating these critical concerns.

Airbound develops innovative drone technology for efficient last-mile deliveries. Its blended wing body tailsitter design enables low-cost, infrastructure-free operations, targeting rural areas in India for essential medical supplies.

Pixxel is space data company that develops hyperspectral earth-imaging satellite constellations to provide global coverage, capturing geospatial data for applications such as climate monitoring, crop yield prediction, urban planning, and disaster response. The constellation aims to deliver near-daily imagery, enabling detection, monitoring, and prediction of global phenomena. The company also offers satellites as a service, allowing clients to access and operate imaging assets to monitor changing environmental, economic, and security conditions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India.

Pixxel is space data company that develops hyperspectral earth-imaging satellite constellations to provide global coverage, capturing geospatial data for applications such as climate monitoring, crop yield prediction, urban planning, and disaster response. The constellation aims to deliver near-daily imagery, enabling detection, monitoring, and prediction of global phenomena. The company also offers satellites as a service, allowing clients to access and operate imaging assets to monitor changing environmental, economic, and security conditions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India.

Mino Space is a private commercial satellite company focused on the development and application of micro-nano satellite systems. Established in 2017 and based in Beijing, the company specializes in research and development, manufacturing services, and the integration of satellite technologies. Mino Space independently designs and develops micro-nano satellite platforms and core components, including electronic communication and optical payloads. The company has significant experience in satellite communication system integration and also develops terrestrial communication terminals. Mino Space offers integrated information system solutions that leverage satellite resources for various sectors, including defense and industry. Its capabilities encompass the coordination of satellite development and overall project management, contributing to advancements in space exploration and communication technologies.

Pixxel is space data company that develops hyperspectral earth-imaging satellite constellations to provide global coverage, capturing geospatial data for applications such as climate monitoring, crop yield prediction, urban planning, and disaster response. The constellation aims to deliver near-daily imagery, enabling detection, monitoring, and prediction of global phenomena. The company also offers satellites as a service, allowing clients to access and operate imaging assets to monitor changing environmental, economic, and security conditions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India.

Volansi, Inc. is a logistics and transportation company specializing in the manufacture of heavy-payload drones designed for commercial, defense, and humanitarian use. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Concord, California, Volansi develops autonomous aerial delivery systems that enable time-critical shipments over long distances. The company's unmanned aerial vehicles are utilized across various industries, including construction, oil and gas, mining, and healthcare, providing on-demand and point-to-point delivery solutions. By focusing on fixed routes, Volansi addresses specific logistical challenges related to time and cost, enhancing the efficiency of goods delivery for enterprise customers.

LandSpace is a Chinese aerospace company based in Beijing, specializing in the development and operation of rockets. The firm focuses on the small and medium-sized commercial aerospace application market, designing and manufacturing liquid fuel rocket engines and launch vehicles. With a commitment to innovation and independent intellectual property rights, LandSpace aims to provide standardized launch service solutions to private and commercial aerospace enterprises in China. The company possesses strong integrated design capabilities and is recognized as a national high-tech enterprise, further enhancing its reputation in the industry. As a member of the International Astronautical Federation, LandSpace is positioned as a key player in the evolving commercial aerospace sector.

Pixxel is space data company that develops hyperspectral earth-imaging satellite constellations to provide global coverage, capturing geospatial data for applications such as climate monitoring, crop yield prediction, urban planning, and disaster response. The constellation aims to deliver near-daily imagery, enabling detection, monitoring, and prediction of global phenomena. The company also offers satellites as a service, allowing clients to access and operate imaging assets to monitor changing environmental, economic, and security conditions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India.

Volansi, Inc. is a logistics and transportation company specializing in the manufacture of heavy-payload drones designed for commercial, defense, and humanitarian use. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Concord, California, Volansi develops autonomous aerial delivery systems that enable time-critical shipments over long distances. The company's unmanned aerial vehicles are utilized across various industries, including construction, oil and gas, mining, and healthcare, providing on-demand and point-to-point delivery solutions. By focusing on fixed routes, Volansi addresses specific logistical challenges related to time and cost, enhancing the efficiency of goods delivery for enterprise customers.

Kespry Inc. is a provider of drone-based aerial intelligence solutions designed for various industrial applications. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company offers the Kespry Drone System, an automated unmanned aerial vehicle that autonomously collects aerial data and uploads it to the Kespry Cloud, an intelligence platform that simplifies reporting and generates actionable insights. This integrated solution enables industries such as mining, construction, and insurance to efficiently measure stockpiles, survey sites, and inspect assets, enhancing operational accuracy and decision-making processes. Kespry serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, and Australia, including notable companies like John Deere and Fluor.

Vector Launch, Inc. is a company based in Tucson, Arizona, that specializes in developing software and launch vehicles tailored for micro and nano satellites. Founded in 2016 by several former members of the original SpaceX team, the company aims to provide affordable and frequent access to space, thereby facilitating innovation for startups in the aerospace sector. Vector Launch operates a vehicle and propulsion engineering facility, with additional offices located in Long Beach and San Jose, California. The company's approach combines low-cost dedicated launches with software-defined satellites, enhancing the speed and accessibility of satellite deployment. Vector Launch's offerings are particularly valuable for micro satellite developers, national security applications, and other government entities, helping to lower the barriers to entry for innovation and commerce in outer space. However, in December 2019, the company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Founded in 2015, Phase Four specializes in developing electric propulsion systems for small satellites. Its signature product is the Radio Frequency Thruster (RFT), which offers significant cost savings, reduced size, and propellant flexibility while maintaining high performance. The company's solutions enable clients to maneuver satellites into various orbits economically.

Kespry Inc. is a provider of drone-based aerial intelligence solutions designed for various industrial applications. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company offers the Kespry Drone System, an automated unmanned aerial vehicle that autonomously collects aerial data and uploads it to the Kespry Cloud, an intelligence platform that simplifies reporting and generates actionable insights. This integrated solution enables industries such as mining, construction, and insurance to efficiently measure stockpiles, survey sites, and inspect assets, enhancing operational accuracy and decision-making processes. Kespry serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, and Australia, including notable companies like John Deere and Fluor.

Citadel Defense Company, established in 2016 and headquartered in National City, California, specializes in developing and manufacturing counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). The company offers an automated, modular drone defense solution that employs proprietary machine learning algorithms to detect and mitigate unauthorized drone threats. Citadel's team comprises experts from commercial and military drone industries, enabling them to deliver effective solutions tailored for various clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and other government agencies. Their systems provide multi-layered protection models with escalating countermeasures, ensuring airspace monitoring, threat detection, and mitigation without interfering with common communications.

Vector Launch, Inc. is a company based in Tucson, Arizona, that specializes in developing software and launch vehicles tailored for micro and nano satellites. Founded in 2016 by several former members of the original SpaceX team, the company aims to provide affordable and frequent access to space, thereby facilitating innovation for startups in the aerospace sector. Vector Launch operates a vehicle and propulsion engineering facility, with additional offices located in Long Beach and San Jose, California. The company's approach combines low-cost dedicated launches with software-defined satellites, enhancing the speed and accessibility of satellite deployment. Vector Launch's offerings are particularly valuable for micro satellite developers, national security applications, and other government entities, helping to lower the barriers to entry for innovation and commerce in outer space. However, in December 2019, the company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Kespry Inc. is a provider of drone-based aerial intelligence solutions designed for various industrial applications. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company offers the Kespry Drone System, an automated unmanned aerial vehicle that autonomously collects aerial data and uploads it to the Kespry Cloud, an intelligence platform that simplifies reporting and generates actionable insights. This integrated solution enables industries such as mining, construction, and insurance to efficiently measure stockpiles, survey sites, and inspect assets, enhancing operational accuracy and decision-making processes. Kespry serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, and Australia, including notable companies like John Deere and Fluor.

Kespry Inc. is a provider of drone-based aerial intelligence solutions designed for various industrial applications. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company offers the Kespry Drone System, an automated unmanned aerial vehicle that autonomously collects aerial data and uploads it to the Kespry Cloud, an intelligence platform that simplifies reporting and generates actionable insights. This integrated solution enables industries such as mining, construction, and insurance to efficiently measure stockpiles, survey sites, and inspect assets, enhancing operational accuracy and decision-making processes. Kespry serves a diverse clientele across North America, Europe, and Australia, including notable companies like John Deere and Fluor.

Coherent | Nufern is a telecommunications company that specializes in the manufacturing of application-specific optical fibers. The company produces a range of fibers, including earth-doped fibers for lasers and amplifiers, gyroscope fibers, and polarization-maintaining fibers suitable for aerospace applications. Additionally, Coherent | Nufern offers extreme duty and radiation-hard fibers, photosensitive fibers, and single-mode fibers. The company also develops engineered fiber laser and amplifier modules for scientific applications and original equipment manufacturer integration, along with complete fiber laser systems designed for a variety of uses.