Europe’s satellite startups are pivoting hard from climate to defence – with NATO backing
17 feb. 2026
16:48
British satellite imaging startup SatVu just raised €30m in a funding round led by the NATO Innovation Fund.
Once pitched as providing "thermal imaging for global climate action," SatVu is one of several European satellite startups repositioning toward defence and security.
We've sifted through the internet archives of three prominent startups – including one unicorn – to illustrate just how quickly the language has changed.
Once pitched as providing "thermal imaging for global climate action," SatVu is one of several European satellite startups repositioning toward defence and security.
We've sifted through the internet archives of three prominent startups – including one unicorn – to illustrate just how quickly the language has changed.
A year or two ago, SatVu described itself as “The World’s Thermometer,” targeting “energy insights”, “building insights” and “water pollution.” In November 2024, the company announced on its website that it had secured €20m to expand “high-resolution thermal imaging for global climate action.”
Today, the messaging is more grey than green. SatVu now sells “high resolution thermal data from space for a safer and more sustainable Earth,” listing “national security” as its first target sector, alongside “economic monitoring” and “climate resilience.”