London-based space startup Foundational has secured €9.6 million in a funding round to scale its satellite tracking technology. The investment round included participation from Inflection, BACKED, Final Frontier, Adjacent, and Type One Ventures. The company intends to use the capital to expand its global ground-station network and scale the production of its space-based hardware and retroreflectors.
Founded in 2025 by Hira Virdee and Dave Gooding, the company focuses on automating Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) to track objects in orbit with millimeter-level precision. The system integrates satellite-mounted retroreflectors, automated ground laser stations, and a data processing software platform. Foundational claims its solution is fully automated and up to 30 times cheaper than legacy systems.
The startup aims to address the rising risks of collisions in Low Earth Orbit by providing precise trajectory data. Its technology supports applications in space traffic control, navigation, and Earth observation. Foundational’s current client base includes the European Space Agency, various UK government departments, aerospace manufacturers, and research institutions globally.
