Vinci, an investment company from the BGK Group, and European fund 3TS Capital Partners have invested in Sybilla Technologies, a Polish spacetech company based in Bydgoszcz. The value of the transaction is estimated at around PLN 35 million.
Sybilla Technologies is a leading European provider of observational and analytical data on the movement of objects in space. The company collects this data using its own network of 50 optical sensors located on six continents. It has ambitious development plans and aims to join the group of global leaders in its field within the next three years.
The company actively supports the development of European security and technological sovereignty in space. The newly raised capital is expected to help Sybilla play a significant role in the commercialisation of near-Earth space.
The investment by 3TS Capital Partners and Vinci is one of the largest financing rounds involving a Polish company from the spacetech sector. It is also the first external investment round in the company’s history. Since its establishment, Sybilla Technologies had developed exclusively using capital provided by its founders.
A European leader in space monitoring
Sybilla Technologies operates the largest private network of 50 optical sensors owned by a European company. Its systems are capable of detecting and tracking objects the size of a beverage can from a distance of 36,000 kilometres.
The company provides data and analysis on the movement of objects in orbital space. Its unique resources are used by the national space agencies of Poland, Italy and France, as well as by the European Space Agency. Sybilla also works with EU institutions such as the European Defence Fund and EU Space Surveillance and Tracking.
In addition, the company cooperates with the command of the UK armed forces responsible for conducting space operations, as well as with major technology groups including Airbus and Leonardo.
Global ambitions
“We are entering a new, extremely ambitious and dynamic stage in the company’s development. The funds raised from investors will be used to expand our sensor network and analytical services, which will significantly increase our operational capabilities and geographical reach. We plan to enter the US, Middle Eastern and Asian markets, while also strengthening our position and expanding cooperation with partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. The next step will be to place our sensors in orbit. Our goal is also to further commercialise our services, strengthen our position in the defence sector and multiply the scale of the business,” says Piotr Sybilski, CEO and co-founder of Sybilla Technologies.
Growing potential of Polish technology companies
The investment in Sybilla Technologies is part of BGK’s efforts to support the development of innovative ventures of strategic importance to the Polish economy.
“We are convinced that the potential of Polish companies will make a significant contribution to building Europe’s security and technological sovereignty in the space sector. This investment also confirms the growing potential of Polish firms in advanced technologies and their ability to compete on the global market,” says Mirosław Czekaj, President of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego.
By the end of this year, the Bydgoszcz-based company plans to double the number of its sensors from the current 50 to 100. This will allow Sybilla to constantly monitor the movement of 90% of more than 40,000 objects located in space in less than 24 hours.
In the following years, the company plans to expand its network to 300 devices deployed in around 100 locations worldwide. Today, infrastructure of this scale is available only to the largest American players.
Europe’s eye on space
“We welcome to our portfolio this impressive and extremely ambitious company, which is Vinci’s second investment in the space sector after Iceye. Sybilla is already a leading EU provider of analytical and observational data on the movement of objects in satellite space, and within a few years it has a strong chance of joining the global leaders. The company has a team of experts in Poland with unique competences in fields such as astrophysics, optics and robotics,” says Bartosz Drabikowski, President of Vinci, an investment company from the BGK Group managing capital worth more than PLN 1 billion.
According to Drabikowski, Sybilla’s operations and ambitious development plans are fully aligned with Vinci’s strategy, which is based on using public capital and domestic talent, patents and unique competences to build the future of the Polish economy.
Sybilla provides critical data that enables the safe operation of satellite infrastructure and supports the development of the space economy. In a world of growing geopolitical tensions, access to independent sources of data is becoming a strategic asset. Technologies developed by Sybilla strengthen Europe’s autonomy and technological sovereignty in near-Earth space.
Cooperation between private and public capital
The transaction, worth around PLN 35 million, was carried out by the venture capital fund belonging to Vinci from the BGK Group and by 3TS Capital Partners. The founders and existing shareholders retained a majority stake and a decisive role in the company’s further development.
“The investment in Sybilla is an example of effective cooperation between private and public capital in building global technology leaders originating from Poland,” says Katarzyna Pac-Malesa, Investment Director at 3TS Capital Partners.
3TS funds have already completed more than 70 investments in 13 European countries, supporting the development of leading technology companies from the region.
“For more than 25 years, we have supported entrepreneurs who use technology to build lasting competitive advantages and develop solutions of strategic importance for the economy and security. Sybilla fits this philosophy perfectly. We believe that by combining capital, experience and active support in scaling the organisation and expanding internationally, we will be able to accelerate its development and help it achieve its ambitious goal of building a global leader in space monitoring and security,” Pac-Malesa adds.
