Strengthening its presence in the global space technology market, Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Pixxel has established a new US subsidiary, Pixxel Federal, to expand its access to government opportunities and deepen its existing engagements with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
Following its recent $100 Mn funding round, the company plans to establish an office in the Washington, DC area. The move is aimed at bringing Pixxel closer to US government agencies, customers and strategic partners.
Pixxel Federal will focus on providing Earth observation technologies, satellite mission systems and geospatial intelligence solutions to US government agencies across the civilian, defence and intelligence sectors.
“The US government market represents a significant opportunity for Pixxel as we expand our capabilities beyond hyperspectral imaging into advanced sensing technologies, software, and satellite systems,” said Pixxel Founder and CEO Awais Ahmed.
The company has appointed Allyson Jenkins, who previously served as its Vice President of Public Sector, as CEO of Pixxel Federal. She has been leading Pixxel’s US government business since joining the company in January 2025.
The expansion builds on Pixxel’s recent engagements with US government agencies. The startup secured a contract through NASA’s Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Programme and a Strategic Commercial Enhancements contract from the NRO. Through its new subsidiary, Pixxel aims to strengthen these relationships, pursue additional federal contracts and expand its position in the US space and geospatial intelligence market.
Pixxel Federal will leverage the company’s hyperspectral satellites, Earth intelligence software and satellite mission systems for applications such as camouflage detection, terrain characterisation, critical mineral and rare earth element detection, environmental monitoring and agriculture.
Founded in 2019 by BITS Pilani alumni Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, Pixxel claims to operate the world’s highest-resolution constellation of commercial hyperspectral satellites. These satellites capture light across multiple narrow wavelength bands, helping identify details and changes on Earth’s surface that conventional imaging technologies may not detect.
In India, Pixxel has also secured multiple iDEX challenges from the Ministry of Defence. The company is currently developing a public-private Earth observation satellite constellation under IN-SPACe. Expected to be India’s 1st constellation of its kind, the proposed network will comprise 12 satellites equipped with different types of imaging sensors.
In September, Pixxel raised $100 Mn in a Series C funding round co-led by Temasek and Seraphim. The investment marked the largest single funding round secured by an Indian spacetech company. With this latest funding, the startup’s total private capital raised stands at approximately $195 Mn.
Its investor base includes Google, Radical Ventures, growX Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and 360 ONE Asset.
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