AIRMO Lands €5M to Build Satellite System for Tracking Methane Emissions
Climate-tech startup AIRMO has secured €5 million in seed funding to advance its space-based technology designed to detect methane leaks from orbit. The funding will support the launch of the company’s first satellite mission planned for 2027 and help scale its monitoring operations globally.
The round was led by Ananda Impact Ventures with participation from investors including Unconventional Ventures, kopa ventures, Desai Ventures and Antler. Strategic backing also came from infrastructure specialists linked to EQT.
Founded in 2022 and operating from Berlin and Luxembourg, AIRMO is building technology to monitor greenhouse gas emissions using satellites and airborne systems. The company aims to help energy operators identify and fix methane leaks, one of the most potent contributors to climate change.
Methane emissions are responsible for roughly 30% of global warming, yet a large share of leaks remains undetected. These emissions not only damage the climate but also cost the energy industry billions in lost gas every year.
AIRMO’s technology combines a short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging system with a proprietary micro-LIDAR sensor. The company says this is the first time such a powerful sensing instrument has been miniaturised for use on a small satellite.
According to the startup, the system can deliver roughly twice the accuracy of existing monitoring solutions. It is capable of detecting methane leaks as small as a car from around 500 kilometres above Earth.
CEO Daria Stepanova said the company’s goal is to help operators identify and stop greenhouse gas losses. The newly developed sensor, she noted, enables AIRMO to move beyond testing and toward continuous emissions monitoring.
The technology is already being used in commercial monitoring missions on drones and aircraft across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Customers include major energy companies such as Uniper and TotalEnergies.
The new funding will help AIRMO transition from pilot projects to full commercial operations. The company plans to expand airborne monitoring campaigns while preparing its satellite payload for launch in 2027.
Commenting on the investment, Alina Bassi, Principal at Ananda Impact Ventures, said: “Methane leakage reduction is the most effective way to decarbonise the energy industry today.” She added that AIRMO’s ability to measure emissions from space “is a game-changer” for improving transparency in the sector.
Looking ahead, AIRMO also plans to expand internationally and establish a presence in the Middle East and North Africa. With satellite monitoring expected to grow rapidly, the company hopes its technology will help governments and energy firms better track and reduce emissions worldwide.
If successful, AIRMO’s system could play a key role in making methane emissions visible from space—turning previously hidden leaks into actionable data for the global energy industry.