UK-based space satellite startup Open Cosmos has raised $7m Series-A funding in a round led by BGF Ventures to further increase its satellite manufacturing capabilities.

Former head of Microsoft’s corporate strategy Charlie Songhurst and LocalGlobe, Entrepreneur First, Transferwise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus were also involved in the funding round.

The company intends to use the fund to expand its facilities to manufacture 30 satellites per annum and increase its current workforce from 22 to 50, as well as considerably increasing its marketing activity.

Open Cosmos founder Rafael Jordà Siquier said: “We try to remove barriers for our customers and we do it through a combination of hardware, software and services that together are a one-stop-shop where we deal with everything.

“Following the launch of the satellites, Open Cosmos takes full control of them and provides data sent by the satellites to the customer.”

“We have agreements with all major launching companies in the world.

“We want to provide our customers with as many launch opportunities as possible to as many orbits as possible from any continent in the world.”

Established in 2015 as part the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Incubation Centre start-up, Open Cosmos primarily builds satellites that range from 4kg to 30kg.

The satellites feature a standardised modular design and can be integrated with almost any sensor.

Following the launch of the satellites, Open Cosmos takes full control of them and provides data sent by the satellites to the customer.

Last year, the company saw the launch of its first satellite, which was developed for the European Commission’s QB50 programme.

Last month, Open Cosmos secured two space mission contracts from communication system provider e2E.