Startup · United States
Sophia Space is designing TILE, a panel combining solar cells, compute and a passive radiator, and plans to test its software on Kepler's GPUs in Q4 2026 and fly TILE on an Apex bus in 2027. Nothing it has designed has flown, and its $300M lease framework with SLI is a non-binding letter.
Stage 1 of 7: Concept
No TILE hardware has been shown built or tested. In February 2026 it planned to build its first two TILEs and begin ground testing this year; a patent issued on 14 Jul 2026.[1][2]
What the stage means: Plans, filings or designs with no ODC hardware built or flown.
DoneReported
$3.5M pre-seed
Led by Unlock Ventures.
Sources: GeekWire; Sophia Space
DoneConfirmed
$10M seed
Led by Alpha Funds, KDDI Green Partners Fund and Unlock Venture Partners. TechCrunch reported it on 26 Feb 2026.
Sources: Sophia Space; TechCrunch
DoneConfirmed
Kepler collaboration: Sophia software on Kepler GPUs from Q4 2026
Reported as six GPUs on two Kepler spacecraft.
Source: Sophia Space
DoneConfirmed
$7M SAFE; Apex Nova bus chosen for 2027 demo; $22M total
Sources: PR Newswire; PR Newswire
DoneConfirmed
$300M non-binding asset-financing framework with SLI for 10 TILE spacecraft
SLI would buy and lease the satellites; a letter of support only.
Source: Payload
DoneConfirmed
Memorandum of understanding with Redwire on orbital data center infrastructure
Redwire covers deployables, power, thermal and integration; the two plan joint bids.
Sources: Sophia Space; PR Newswire
Targets as the organisation stated them. When a date moved, every move is listed with its source; a narrower window is shown as a narrowing.
Q4 2026
Sophia software (SOOS) running on Kepler satellites[1]
2027Window narrowed
TILE in-orbit demo on an Apex Nova bus[1][2]
Narrowed: late 2027 or early 2028 to 2027 (not a slip)[1]
as early as 2028
10-satellite TILE constellation under the SLI lease framework[1]
2030
Orbital data centers[1]
What to watch · SpaceNexus note, not a prediction
Whether Sophia software runs on Kepler satellites in Q4 2026, and whether the Apex demo flies in 2027.
Dated promises with two sources for the promise and the outcome. No grades or ratings.
| Step | Promised | Outcome | Moved by |
|---|---|---|---|
| TILE in-orbit demo | late 2027 or early 2028, said 26 Feb 2026[1] | Now 2027 (stated 23 Jun 2026)[1] | n/a |
| Figure | Value | Confidence and source |
|---|---|---|
| Total funding (company figure) | $22M | Company claim[1] |
| SLI leasing framework (non-binding) | $300M | Reported[1] |
| Planned TILE constellation | 10 spacecraft | Company claim[1] |
Rounds come from company announcements, regulatory filings and press reports. Amounts, valuations and investors are as reported and may be incomplete or later revised. Not investment advice, and not an offer or solicitation for any security. Full disclaimer
| Date | Round | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 2025 | Pre-seed. Led by Unlock VenturesCounted in the tracker total.[1][2] | $3.5M |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Seed. Led by Alpha Funds, KDDI Green Partners Fund, Unlock Venture PartnersCounted in the tracker total.[1] | $10M |
| 23 Jun 2026 | SAFE. Led by EverGreen, SparkLabs Group and othersCounted in the tracker total.[1] | $7M |
Rob DeMillo (co-founder, CEO) · Leon Alkalai (founder, CTO and chairman) · Brian Monnin (co-founder, Chief Commercial Officer) · Jim Chase (VP Engineering)
| Program | Stage | Verified funding | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sophia Space (this page) | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | $20.5M | Q4 2026: Sophia software (SOOS) running on Kepler satellites |
| Agnikul and NeevCloud | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | End of 2026: Pilot launch (300 to 350 kg unit) |
| Anthropic | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | None announced |
| Apex | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | 2027: Sophia Space TILE demo on an Apex Nova bus |
| Atomic-6 | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | None announced |
| Blue Origin Sunrise | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | Q4 2027: TeraWave deployment begins (the backhaul Sunrise depends on) |
| CASC / CAST | Stage 1 of 7: Concept | Not counted | 2027: Experimental 10 kW-class computing satellite (about 1,000 kg) |
Evidence reviewed 5 Oct 2026, fact-checked against primary sources. Nothing on this page is sponsored, and no company can pay to change, reorder or preview it. Spotted an error? Report a correction. How stages and labels work.
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