Leaf Space’s planned network of small satellite ground stations. Photo: Leaf Space

[Via Satellite 07-11-2016] Italian startup Leaf Space has raised $1.1 million to fund a telecommunication service dedicated specifically for small satellite operators. RedSeed Ventures, an Italian venture capital firm, led the investment round, along with a pool of private and institutional investors including Como Venture, Key Capital and PoliHub.

Leaf Space formed in 2014 with the aim of simplifying access to space for micro-satellites operators. The company is currently involved in developing Leaf Line: a centralized satellite communication service to consist of 20 ground stations around the world. The service is designed to grant access to space data in a simpler, faster and cheaper way than the solutions currently available, according to the company. Leaf Line is only the first step of a service pipeline that the company plans develop.

“Our investors are already supporting us in the business development and in structuring the company. We have already installed the first ground station of the network and we are already receiving the first data from space. Many micro-satellite operators from all over the world have already contacted us and shown a great interest for our telecommunication services. We are working to grant easier and cheaper access to the information coming from space,” said Jonata Puglia, CEO of Leaf Space.