Solestial is a technology company.
Solestial has raised $28.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Key people at Solestial.
Solestial has raised $28.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Solestial is a technology company developing advanced silicon photovoltaic products for space applications, including solar cells and flexible solar power modules that self-cure radiation damage.[1][3][4] These products serve commercial and government spacecraft operators, solving the challenge of radiation-induced degradation in harsh space environments by offering lower-cost, lightweight alternatives to traditional III-V multijunction solar cells with up to 10 years of durability in low Earth orbit.[1][3] The company has raised over $29M from investors like CrossCut Ventures, Global Brain, and Airbus Ventures, opened a manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona in 2023, doubled its workforce, and delivered products to dozens of customers, signaling strong growth momentum.[1][3]
Founded in 2013 as Regher Solar in Tempe, Arizona, Solestial evolved into its current form focusing on space-grade silicon photovoltaics.[1] Key founders include Co-Founder and CTO Stan Herasimenka, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer Mikhail Reginevich, CEO Margo de Naray, and COO Andy Atherton.[2] The idea emerged from engineering silicon solar cells to self-anneal radiation damage at low operating temperatures (as low as 65°C), leveraging commercial silicon wafers for cost-effective space power.[3][4] Early traction built through seed funding rounds totaling around $11.2M in September 2022, followed by a $15M Series A in May 2025, facility expansion in 2023, and commercial deliveries amid rising demand.[1][2][3]
Solestial rides the boom in commercial space, including satellite constellations, human spaceflight, and deep-space infrastructure, where reliable, affordable power is critical amid proliferating launches and missions.[1][3] Timing aligns with declining launch costs and demand for scalable energy solutions, as traditional solar tech struggles with radiation in prolonged orbits.[4] Market forces like investor interest (e.g., space-focused VCs like Airbus Ventures) and customer pull from firms like Axiom Space favor its silicon-based paradigm shift, reducing reliance on expensive III-V materials.[2][3] It influences the ecosystem by enabling cheaper, longer-lasting power for New Space players, accelerating sustainable space economy development from LEO to lunar bases.[1][5]
Solestial is poised to dominate space solar with production ramps, Gen 2 cells launching in 2026, and deepening partnerships for integrated arrays.[3] Trends like mega-constellations, lunar economies, and radiation-hardened tech for deep space will propel growth, potentially capturing share from legacy providers as costs drop further.[1][4] Its influence may expand via ecosystem integrations and government contracts, solidifying silicon photovoltaics as the abundant energy backbone for space commercialization—echoing its mission to power tomorrow's orbital and beyond frontiers.[3][5]
Key people at Solestial.
Solestial has raised $28.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Solestial's investors include Afore Capital, Airbus Ventures, Techstars, Aaron Peterman, Lakeside Capital, Locus Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, Ultratech Capital Partners, UpHonest Capital, What If Ventures, Adam Pisoni, Sahin Boydas.
Solestial has raised $28.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $17.0M Series A in May 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | $17.0M Series A | Afore Capital, Airbus Ventures, Techstars, Aaron Peterman | |
| Oct 1, 2022 | $10.0M Seed | Afore Capital, Airbus Ventures, Lakeside Capital, Locus Ventures, Sony Innovation Fund, Techstars, Ultratech Capital Partners, UpHonest Capital, What If Ventures, Aaron Peterman, Adam Pisoni, Sahin Boydas, Scott Banister | |
| Sep 1, 2021 | $900K Seed | Afore Capital, Ultratech Capital Partners, What If Ventures | |
| Jul 1, 2019 | $120K Seed | Techstars |
