Spacetech Startup Aliena Secures $5.5 Million for European Expansion

Singapore-based spacetech startup Aliena has secured US$5.5 million in a Series A1 funding round led by In Group Holdings. Existing investors, including Wavemaker Partners and LotusOne, also participated in the round.

The company stated the funds will be allocated to research and development, as well as production capabilities. Aliena is also targeting expansion into the European Union, with plans to establish an office by early 2027. Europe represents a primary market for Aliena, where it competes with firms such as France-based ExoTrail.

Founded in 2018, Aliena develops Hall effect thrusters, a type of electric propulsion engine crucial for maintaining satellite positions during long space missions. The founders, Mark Lim and George-Cristian Potrivitu, aim to become the industry standard for satellite engines, drawing parallels to Rolls-Royce's role in aviation.

The demand for Aliena's products is increasing globally due to a shortage of Hall effect thrusters. Sanctions have restricted Russian engine supplies, and the thruster deficit has caused delays in US defense programs, prompting major US defense contractors to acquire domestic manufacturers.

Aliena currently offers thrusters in 100-watt and 300-watt classes and is developing a third model near the kilowatt range. The startup's long-term objective is to create a standardized, off-the-shelf thruster that customers can install without custom engineering.