Lithuanian SpaceTech Startup, Astrolight, Secures €2.8 million in Funding for Laser Communications Platform
Lithuanian space communications company, Astrolight, has successfully closed a seed round at €2.8 million led by frontier tech investor Balnord. Other key investors include EIFO, Coinvest Capital, and existing investors 3NGLS and Rita Sakus. Founded in 2019, Astrolight aims to provide comprehensive optical connectivity solutions by building complete and self-contained hardware for both ground and space operational domains.
Astrolight is developing a dual-use communication architecture capable of managing both space-to-space and space-to-ground optical links. The company seeks to offer optical communication as a service, connecting its own and other providers' optical terminals with its ground infrastructure. Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO and co-founder of Astrolight, stated, “Our long-term vision is to create the optical backbone network for space. The number of satellites and constellations is growing exponentially, but there’s still no scalable, secure way to consistently bring that data back to Earth. With laser communication, we’re closing that gap.”
Further plans for Astrolight include the deployment of the first operational optical ground station and the demonstration of a hybrid space-to-ground and space-to-space optical terminal based on the company's existing ATLAS-1 modular design. Jarek Pilarczyk, Operating Partner at Balnord, remarked that Astrolight has developed groundbreaking optical communication technology essential to addressing the rapidly approaching data bottleneck in space. He noted, “Their high-speed, jam-resistant solutions are crucial for the growing satellite market and represent frontier innovation that will define the next generation of space infrastructure.”
Earlier this year, Astrolight launched a Danish subsidiary to enhance collaboration across the Nordics and deliver secure laser communication solutions for space assets in the Arctic region. Louise Flyger, Investment Manager at EIFO, commented, "This strategic investment plays a vital role in strengthening European space capabilities and resilience. The establishment of a ground station in the Arctic is a milestone that EIFO is pleased to support, given the region's strategic importance to Denmark and EIFO."
Astrolight has previously been selected for NATO’s DIANA program, positioning itself among the top three percent of NATO’s dual-use start-ups. The company has participated in Seraphim Space and CASSINI accelerators and established commercial contracts such as CAILABS, projects with the Lithuanian Navy, ESA programs, and more. Marcin P. Kowalik, General Partner at Balnord, emphasized that Astrolight represents the type of strategic investment Europe needs, leveraging regional technical excellence to build sovereign capabilities in critical infrastructure. He stated, "As space becomes increasingly contested, secure communication technologies developed in the Baltic Sea Region will be vital not only commercially but for Europe's technological independence."
This investment will enable Astrolight to accelerate the development of its laser-based end-to-end communication platform, which securely connects satellites to Earth.