Czech-based spacetech startup ZAITRA has raised €1.7 million in a pre-seed funding round led by the Berlin-based fund Sunfish Partners, also joined by Czech Founders VC and Honza Široký, the Recursive reports.

About ZAITRA 

  • Founded by Marek Marusin, Rado Pitonak, and Martin Javorka, ZAITRA is a Czech spacetech startup focused on revolutionizing in-orbit data processing using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Their core technology enables satellites and other space instruments to operate autonomously, reducing reliance on human operators and ground-based systems.

  • By integrating AI directly into space-grade hardware, ZAITRA’s solutions allow satellites to filter out irrelevant data (e.g., noise from clouds or smoke), monitor their own health, and avoid potential collisions. This technology optimizes the collection and transmission of relevant data, significantly improving mission efficiency.

  • The team now collaborates with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the International Space Station (ISS).

Investment details

  • The round was led by Sunfish Partners. It is an early-stage venture capital firm that primarily focuses on investing in deep tech startups from Central and Eastern Europe.

  • ZAITRA is the first investment from Sunfish Partners’ second fund, its first investment in the Czech Republic / Slovakia, and its third investment in a spacetech company (after Liftero and Orbital Matter).

  • Czech Founders VC and Honza Široký also participated in the pre-seed round.

  • The project has also received funding from public sources, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR).

“With the rapid increase in satellite launches and the projected growth of the global satellite industry, Zaitra’s technology is uniquely positioned to address the emerging challenges in this evolving market. Zaitra’s innovative edge-AI solutions are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of space infrastructure. And we want to be there,” shared Max Moldenhauer, partner of the German fund Sunfish Partners leading the investment round.

Fresh funds will be used by ZAITRA to further develop the use of AI in operational nanosatellites.