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Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Accion Systems develops advanced electric propulsion systems using small ion electrospray engines for commercial and government small satellites and spacecraft. The aerospace manufacturer generates revenue through hardware sales and government contracts, providing its proprietary TILE thrusters to major aerospace organizations like NASA and Lockheed. Operating with a workforce of over 30 employees, the company has secured more than $50 million in total venture funding to scale its manufacturing capabilities. This capital includes a $42 million Series C round in 2021 led by Tracker Capital Management, which acquired a majority stake and brought the company's valuation to $83.5 million. Additional financial backing for the enterprise comes from venture firms such as Boeing HorizonX Ventures and Shasta Ventures. Accion Systems was founded in 2014 by MIT engineers Natalya Bailey and Louis Perna.
Accion Systems has raised $24.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Accion Systems has raised $24.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Accion Systems is a Boston-based aerospace technology company developing advanced in-space propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft in the "New Space" industry.[1][2][3] Founded to accelerate space exploration, it builds the TILE (Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray) propulsion technology—a scalable, efficient ion thruster using ionic liquid propellant and microscopic "chip" architectures with hundreds of emitters per chip to generate thrust via electric fields.[2][3] This solves the problem of limited mobility for small, affordable satellites by enabling precise navigation, orbit adjustments, and extended missions without bulky traditional engines, serving satellite operators, commercial space firms, government agencies like NASA and DoD, and partners including MIT, Boeing, and JPL.[1][3] The company has raised $68.5 million in funding, including a $42M Series C in 2021 led by Tracker Capital, demonstrating strong growth momentum toward fourth-generation systems.[2][3]
Accion Systems emerged from MIT research in 2014, co-founded by Natalya Bailey (CEO, PhD) and Louis Perna (Chief Scientist), who developed early ion electrospray propulsion concepts.[1][2][4] While at MIT, large aerospace firms approached them about commercializing the technology for small, efficient thrusters, sparking the idea to bridge academic innovation with market needs in the burgeoning New Space sector.[4] Early traction came from MIT connections and STEX participation in 2016-2017, evolving from proof-of-concept to scalable products amid rising demand for capable small satellites.[1][4] Pivotal moments include securing $11M Series B with Boeing HorizonX Ventures and AFWERX contracts, proving viability in a conservative industry.[2]
Accion stands out in satellite propulsion through innovative engineering and market fit:
Accion rides the New Space wave—democratized satellite launches via reusable rockets (e.g., SpaceX), exploding smallsat constellations for telecom, Earth observation, and defense, where propulsion is the bottleneck for orbit control and debris avoidance.[1][3][4] Timing is ideal post-2014, as miniaturization outpaces legacy engines, with market forces like declining launch costs (~$1K/kg) and regulatory pushes for sustainable orbits favoring efficient electric propulsion.[2] Accion influences the ecosystem by lowering barriers for startups and incumbents, enabling mega-constellations and deep-space missions, while reinvesting cross-industry advances (e.g., chip tech) into aerospace.[1][2]
Accion is poised to dominate scalable in-space propulsion as smallsat deployments surge toward millions by 2030, with next steps focusing on delivering Gen-4 TILE systems, expanding DoD/commercial contracts, and hitting longevity targets.[2][3][4] Trends like AI-driven autonomy, cislunar economies, and space traffic management will amplify demand, potentially evolving Accion (now dba Revolution Space) into a propulsion standard-setter amid mergers or IPOs.[5] This MIT-born innovator, turning research into accessible space mobility, exemplifies how New Space tech unlocks orbital access for all.[1][4]
Accion Systems has raised $24.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Accion Systems's investors include Shasta Ventures, Brian Schettler, Forgepoint Capital, Heroic Ventures, KittyHawk Ventures, Momenta Ventures, Space Capital, Andrew Viterbi, Bob Pasker, Boeing HorizonX Ventures, FAST — by GETTYLAB, Bullpen Capital.
Accion Systems has raised $24.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $11.0M Series B in February 2020.
