Terraspark, a Luxembourg-based startup developing space-based solar power, has successfully secured over $5.7 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by Daphni and supported by notable backers including Sake Bosch, better ventures, and the Luxembourg Business Angel Network. This capital will fuel the advancement of the company's modular technology and support preparations for its initial pilot applications and live demonstrations on Earth.
A Strategic Earth-First Approach
Unlike traditional space ventures, Terraspark is adopting a deliberate earth-first strategy to commercialize its technology. The company will initially focus on radio frequency-based wireless energy transmission for terrestrial industrial uses, such as powering remote sites or live events. This phased approach is designed to generate early revenue, demonstrate safety and efficiency, and navigate complex regulatory frameworks before scaling operations into orbit.
The startup aims to address growing vulnerabilities in Europe's energy infrastructure, which faces challenges from fragile grids and overloaded transmission lines. Rising electricity demand, significantly driven by the expansion of data centers for artificial intelligence, further strains the existing system. Terraspark's solution targets the dual need for clean energy generation and a more efficient method of global power transmission.
Experienced Leadership and Vision
The company is guided by a founding team with deep entrepreneurial and technical expertise. CEO Jasper Deprez previously founded and scaled the global HRTech platform Tradler, while COO Matthias Laug co-founded major European platform businesses Lieferando and Tier Mobility. Their combined experience provides a strong foundation for building a commercially viable infrastructure company in the complex space economy.
A key figure on the team is CTO Dr. Sanjay Vijendran, who formerly led the European Space Agency's (ESA) Solaris initiative for space-based solar power. His direct experience with the program provides Terraspark with unparalleled insight into the technical hurdles and regulatory pathways associated with the technology. This background positions the company to effectively navigate the challenges that previously slowed public sector development in this area.
Technology and Phased Roadmap
Terraspark's long-term vision involves capturing constant solar energy in orbit and transmitting it safely to Earth as radio waves using a steerable beam. A ground-based receiver, known as a rectenna, then converts these waves back into usable electricity for the grid. This system promises a continuous, weather-independent power source that is accessible from anywhere in the world.
The company has outlined a concrete three-phase roadmap, beginning with terrestrial validation in 2026. During this initial phase, Terraspark will demonstrate wireless power transmission over controlled distances on the ground, validating key metrics like alignment and energy density. A notable early use case will involve wirelessly powering a live event to showcase the technology's practical applications.
Following the ground-based trials, Phase 2 from 2027 to 2028 will see the launch of an orbital technology demonstrator to achieve the first space-to-Earth power transmission. The final phase, targeted for 2030, involves the commercial deployment of a full-scale constellation of space-based solar power satellites. This network is designed to deliver continuous and reliable energy on a global scale.
With its recent funding and strategic roadmap, Terraspark is positioning itself as a pragmatic pioneer in the space-based solar power sector. The company's modular, earth-first approach mitigates risk while building toward its ambitious goal of creating a new class of global energy infrastructure. If its phased validation proves successful, Terraspark could redefine energy distribution and provide a scalable solution to the world's increasing power demands.