AIRMO raises €5 million to improve detection of hidden methane emissions

Space technology startup AIRMO has secured €5 million in seed round to enhance its ability to detect methane emissions that often go unreported across energy infrastructure worldwide. The investment was led by Ananda Impact Ventures and included participation from Unconventional Ventures, kopa ventures, Desai Ventures, Hypernova / New Venture Securities, as well as strategic backers EQT partners Matthias Fackler and Francesco Starace.

The new capital will support expansion of AIRMO’s airborne monitoring technology and the development of its first satellite-based sensors, scheduled for launch in 2027. The startup’s mission is to provide precise, continuous detection of methane leaks that conventional monitoring systems frequently miss, helping energy operators improve environmental reporting and mitigation strategies.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over short timeframes. Reducing unreported leaks is considered one of the fastest ways to curb industrial emissions and limit climate impact.

Methane detection system from air and space

Current methods for tracking methane leaks often fail to identify small, intermittent, or remote emissions. AIRMO addresses this challenge with a combination of short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging and micro-LiDAR sensors. This dual approach allows the company to actively sense methane concentrations rather than relying solely on passive measurements, improving accuracy and coverage.

The miniaturized sensor design allows deployment on drones, aircraft, and, in the near future, small satellites. By operating from multiple platforms, AIRMO can monitor both localized facilities and broader regions, detecting leaks equivalent in scale to individual equipment failures even from hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.

The company has already conducted monitoring campaigns in Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa, providing energy operators with actionable data for reducing emissions. The new funding will accelerate the transition from pilot projects to continuous, large-scale monitoring, integrating data into industrial compliance and mitigation systems.

Airmo leadership and strategic vision

AIRMO was founded in 2022 by CEO Daria Stepanova, a rocket scientist and aerospace entrepreneur, alongside a team with deep expertise in satellite instrumentation and atmospheric science. Chief Science Officer Errico Armandillo previously led optoelectronics research at the European Space Agency, while Chief Technology Officer David Vilaseca specializes in optical instruments and space mission design.

Investors highlight the combination of environmental impact and technological innovation as a major factor in their decision. “Improving detection of methane emissions is a critical step in accelerating decarbonization,” said Alina Bassi, Principal at Ananda Impact Ventures, noting the importance of accurate and verifiable monitoring data.

Context: methane emissions and climate change

Methane is widely recognized as a “super pollutant” due to its high short-term warming effect. Many industrial leaks go unreported or remain undetected, making reliable monitoring a major challenge for regulators and energy companies. Emerging technologies, such as airborne sensors and satellites, are helping to provide independent, continuous measurements of these emissions.

Global initiatives increasingly emphasize transparency in methane reporting, while governments and energy companies are seeking solutions that allow fast identification and mitigation of leaks. AIRMO’s technology fits into this broader effort to strengthen climate monitoring and accountability.

AIRMO’s €5 million seed round positions the company to advance both airborne and satellite-based methane detection technologies. By providing more precise, continuous data on unreported emissions, the startup aims to help energy operators and regulators reduce leaks and improve environmental transparency.

With its upcoming satellite deployment in 2027, AIRMO plans to expand its reach and establish a scalable system for monitoring methane on a global scale, contributing to the fight against climate change and supporting industrial efforts to decarbonize operations.