Earth Data: $40M for Stratospheric Robot Fleet with Zero Emissions | Rema Matevosyan, CEO of Near Space Labs

Climate resilience via better data: 7 cm-resolution via satellites and aerial imagery that does in hours what 80,000 drones would do in weeks.

🎧 Episode Summary

Near Space Labs is a category-defining Earth observation company delivering high-resolution, high-frequency aerial imagery through its industry-first stratospheric imaging platform, the Swift. 

With its nationwide network of autonomous Swift robots, the company provides unmatched 7 cm-resolution imagery at a scale and cadence that fundamentally transform how organizations monitor and respond to our rapidly changing world. 

Near Space Labs' private-market focus has enabled it to develop sustainable technologies that meet the needs of commercial clients while reducing reliance on federal funding. Its mission is to serve as the Earth data backbone for business, community, and climate resilience.

While pursuing her PhD in aerospace systems engineering, Rema Matevosyan, co-founder and CEO, worked on the European Union's Copernicus satellite network, where she began exploring new approaches to Earth observation. 

Recognizing the limitations of traditional satellite and aerial imagery, Matevosyan decided to leave her PhD program to found Near Space Labs. 

Her vision has led to breakthroughs in stratospheric imaging technology, and the company now serves major Fortune 500 enterprises across multiple industries. 

A published researcher and recognized scholar by the International Astronautical Federation, Matevosyan was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 for her contributions to aerospace innovation.

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Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow daily posts on LinkedIn:

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