Madrid-based startup Orbital Paradigm has raised more than €1.5 million in Pre-Seed funding to develop its reusable orbital re-entry capsules, aiming to solve one of space logistics’ most critical challenges – bringing delicate materials safely back to Earth.
The investment round includes backing from Akka, Demium Capital, id4 Ventures, and other soon to be disclosed investors, with further info expected to be announced alongside the company’s first mission unveiling in early September.
“This round allows us to launch our first vehicle. The first mission will take off before the end of the year. It will help us accelerate not only the design, but also the development of the next mission, which is planned for the end of 2026,” Francesco Cacciatore, Founder and CEO of Orbital Paradigm, shared with EU-Startups.
Founded in 2023 by aerospace engineer Francesco Cacciatore, the company is building a new generation of small highly autonomous capsules capable of returning sensitive payloads- such as BioTech materials, pharmaceuticals, or precision-engineered substances from orbit without damage.
The team’s first model, codenamed “KID”, is now in the final development phase and on track for launch before the end of the year. A second mission is already being planned for late 2026.
Cacciatore brings almost 20 years of experience from ESA (European Space Agency) missions, having contributed to projects including Space Rider and Euclid among others. His goal with Orbital Paradigm is not only technical but also cultural: to make space logistics and the space business more accessible to a broader base of users and investors.
“To me, it’s essential that space becomes accessible not only to people who are deeply embedded in the industry, but that it evolves into something interesting, approachable, and attainable for everyone. In my view, the space sector is often seen as elitist and distant. Yes, it’s a complex, difficult, cutting-edge industry – but it’s still an industry built to generate revenue. I think it’s a good thing for it to open up to more people, and that’s why I’m very happy to have Akka involved, even if it’s not a specialised space fund. If you only go to specialised funds, eventually you run out of resources,” added Cacciatore.
Akka, a Spanish investment platform, revealed they have invested €470k in the company. Their commercial traction, along with the company’s technical edge, was a major driver behind Akka’s decision to invest. According to the firm, Orbital Paradigm addresses a significant strategic gap: while US players like Inversion Space and Space Forge are gaining ground, Europe currently lacks private-sector leaders in orbital return logistics.
Javier Desantes, CEO of Akka Spain, framed the investment as part of the platform’s commitment to giving private investors access to high-impact DeepTech opportunities: “Orbital Paradigm represents a differential bet on the invisible infrastructure that will make the orbital economy possible.”
The company’s reusable capsule technology incorporates a ceramic thermal shield and proprietary guidance software, allowing for low-G re-entries and high precision landing to enable on-land recovery in continental Europe in the future. Orbital Paradigm is already seeing strong commercial interest, having secured commercial interest from 18 clients worth a combined €81 million. Its maiden mission is fully booked, with the second already 80% pre-sold.
With a combination of proven technical leadership, growing demand, and a globally addressable market, Orbital Paradigm is preparing to make space a little closer – and more practical – for everyone.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/08/spanish-spacetech-orbital-paradigm-raises-e15-million-to-build-reusable-space-capsules/
