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§ Private Profile · Toronto, Canada
Umbra is a technology company.
Umbra builds and operates a constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, delivering high-resolution Earth observation data. Through a vertically integrated model, the company designs, manufactures, and manages its own spacecraft and sensors. This proprietary technology ensures precise, persistent imagery through cloud cover and at night, providing critical orbital intelligence.
David Langan and Gabe Dominocielo co-founded Umbra in 2015, driven by the market need for reliable, high-fidelity space-based data. Langan, with over two decades in space systems leadership, was pivotal. Their founding insight focused on achieving end-to-end control over satellite development and operations, maximizing independent data collection.
Umbra provides actionable insights to a global customer base, supporting commercial and governmental intelligence requirements. The company's mission is to advance space as a platform for innovation and resilience, redefining orbital capabilities. It aims to deliver a powerful information advantage, fostering diverse applications and future solutions.
Umbra has raised $90.4M across 4 funding rounds.
Umbra has raised $90.4M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Umbra is a vertically integrated space technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, specializing in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing and satellite imagery for aerospace and defense applications[1][4]. It provides SAR data, phase history data, and mission solutions to government, defense, intelligence, and commercial clients, enabling earth observation and analytics regardless of weather, time of day, or geography[1][4]. The company has raised $64.38M in funding, remains in the grant stage and alive, and serves sectors needing persistent monitoring and informed decision-making[1].
Umbra's growth momentum includes expanding its SAR constellation for high-resolution imagery and analytics, with a mission to "Redefine Space" by advancing innovation in space systems for people, missions, and domains worldwide[4]. Its products differentiate through raw SAR radio frequency data from space-based operations, positioning it against competitors like Astrocast and Ursa Space Systems in satellite IoT and analytics[1].
Umbra was founded in 2015 in Santa Barbara, California, emerging from the need for advanced SAR capabilities in a growing commercial space sector[1][4]. While specific founders are not detailed in available sources, the company's leadership drives a diverse team—including surfers, sailors, gamers, and comics—united by passion for space innovation[4]. Early traction built on vertically integrating sensors to spacecraft, securing grants and $64.38M in total funding to develop its SAR satellite network[1]. Pivotal moments include establishing offices in Santa Barbara and Northern Virginia, focusing on defense and commercial earth observation amid rising demand for weather-independent imaging[1][4].
Umbra rides the commercial space boom, particularly the proliferation of SAR constellations for persistent Earth observation amid geopolitical tensions and climate monitoring needs[1]. Timing aligns with NewSpace trends, where private firms like Umbra challenge traditional players by offering affordable, frequent-revisit SAR data—critical as demand surges for defense intelligence and disaster response[1]. Market forces favoring Umbra include U.S. space policy supporting domestic tech, declining launch costs, and AI-driven analytics integration[1][4]. It influences the ecosystem by democratizing space data, enabling partners to detect physical world changes and fostering innovation in aerospace analytics[1].
Umbra is poised to scale its SAR fleet, targeting constellation expansion for near-real-time global coverage and deeper AI analytics integration. Trends like hypersonic tracking, maritime domain awareness, and environmental resilience will propel growth, especially with sustained defense funding. Its influence may evolve into a key enabler for multi-domain operations, redefining accessible space tech from niche provider to ecosystem cornerstone—echoing its mission to advance space for all domains[4].
Umbra has raised $90.4M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $75.0M Series B in December 2022.
Umbra has raised $90.4M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Umbra's investors include 7BC Venture Capital, Alumni Ventures, Aniq Kassam, Insight Partners, LAUNCH, Merus Capital, Pareto Holdings, TSVC Capital, What If Ventures, Bradley Horowitz, Vishal Rao, 500 Global.