Saudi Arabia’s rising space-tech star, SARsatX, just closed a $2.6 million seed funding round—and it’s aiming for the stars! This fresh capital will supercharge the company’s mission to build smarter, faster, and more impactful satellite technology right from the heart of the Kingdom.
Revolutionizing Earth Observation with SAR
Founded in 2019 by Ahmed Alzubairi and Muhannad Almutiry, SARsatX was born as a spin-off from KAUST’s TAQADAM Accelerator. The startup specializes in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)—a cutting-edge tech that allows satellites to “see” the Earth even through clouds, at night, and in tough weather conditions.
Unlike traditional optical satellites, SAR can provide high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) data in near real-time—within just 4 hours. The applications are broad and incredibly impactful:
- ✅ Deforestation Monitoring
- ✅ Oil Spill & Leakage Detection
- ✅ Disaster Management & Emergency Response
- ✅ Urban Development Tracking
- ✅ Border Surveillance & Search-and-Rescue Missions
Backed by Major Investors
SARsatX’s $2.6M seed round was led by TONOMUS, the tech powerhouse behind NEOM, with strong backing from:
- Wa’ed Ventures – the VC arm of Aramco
- Access Bridge Ventures
- KAUST Innovation Ventures
Earlier support also came from Flat6Labs, a top early-stage VC firm in the MENA region.
The funding will be used to:
- ✅ Advance SARsatX’s tech infrastructure
- ✅ Scale up satellite deployment
- ✅ Expand across regional and global markets
Pushing the Boundaries of the NewSpace Economy
SARsatX is one of the Kingdom’s trailblazers in the NewSpace movement, a global shift where private companies are driving innovation in space exploration, satellite tech, and data analytics. The startup is supported by top regional players including:
- Saudi Space Commission
- UAE Space Agency
- MiSK Foundation, via the Plug and Play entrepreneurship program
This strategic support network gives SARsatX access to mentorship, partnerships, and R&D capabilities that position it as a future leader in space-based solutions.
What’s Next?
With its growing investor base and strategic government support, SARsatX is well on its way to becoming a regional champion in commercial satellite tech. Its goal is not just to power smarter insights from space, but also to position Saudi Arabia as a competitive player in the global space economy.
From tackling environmental challenges to boosting security and urban planning, SARsatX is proving that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.