Indian Spacetech Firm Pixxel Establishes US Subsidiary to Target Federal Contracts
Bengaluru-based hyperspectral imaging company Pixxel has launched Pixxel Federal, a new US subsidiary aimed at securing contracts within the American defense and intelligence sectors.
Pixxel, an Indian spacetech firm specializing in hyperspectral satellite imagery, has opened a new US subsidiary, Pixxel Federal, as part of a strategy to secure government contracts. The entity will operate out of the Washington, D.C. area, positioning the company closer to key agencies such as NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
Allyson Jenkins, who previously served as the company's Vice President of Public Sector, has been appointed CEO of the new subsidiary. The move follows a $100 million Series C funding round closed last month, which brought the company's total external funding to approximately $195 million. These resources are earmarked for scaling satellite infrastructure and expanding market reach.
The subsidiary intends to provide Earth observation systems and geospatial intelligence to civilian and defense agencies. Pixxel currently holds contracts with NASA’s Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program and the NRO, providing capabilities for tasks such as mineral detection, environmental monitoring, and terrain characterization.
Founded in 2019 by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, Pixxel competes in the growing market for commercial hyperspectral imaging. While the company maintains a presence in India through defense contracts and collaborations with IN-SPACe, the establishment of a dedicated US hub marks a significant shift in its geographical focus to gain a foothold in the global defense-industrial base.