Estonia-based space technology startup Golbriak Space has raised €4 million in a seed funding round co-led by Join Capital and PhotonVentures, with participation from Takeoff Accelerator. The funding will support the expansion of its manufacturing operations and the production of laser communication terminals for satellite networks and airborne applications.
Founded in 2017 by Nicola Garzaniti and Simone Briatore, Golbriak Space develops optical communication systems that enable high-speed data transmission between satellites and other aerospace platforms. Garzaniti serves as CEO, while Briatore is the company’s co-founder and chief technology officer.
The company’s product portfolio includes ERMES, a compact laser communication terminal designed for small satellites and satellite constellations, and ARES, an optical communication system developed for drones and high-altitude platforms. Its technology uses laser-based data links as an alternative to conventional radio-frequency communications for selected aerospace applications.
The investment was made into Golbriak Space’s Italian holding company, Iribits S.r.l., and will support the development and industrialisation of its Estonian operating subsidiary, Golbriak Space OÜ.
Golbriak Space plans to use the capital to transition towards serial production of its optical communication hardware, increase manufacturing capacity and support the deployment of terminals across larger satellite constellations.
The company reports that it has operational products and paying customers. It is also engaged in advanced commercial discussions involving programmes that could require several thousand communication terminals. These discussions represent potential future deployments rather than completed orders.
Golbriak Space is preparing additional customer-funded deployments across commercial space programmes from 2027, alongside further development of its ARES systems for airborne applications.
