From Startup to Stellar: The Growing Success of Marble Imaging

Founded in 2023 in Bremen the City of Aerospace, the ESA BIC Northern Germany startup, Marble Imaging has carved out a name for itself in the competitive field of Earth Observation (EO) and multispectral satellite technology. From environmental monitoring to disaster management, the advanced satellite systems of Marble Imaging are designed to provide deep insights into the state of the planet.

Their mission is bold and transformative: to develop and operate Germany’s first commercial satellite constellation dedicated to EO. Marble Imaging combines state-of-the-art multispectral imaging with proprietary analytics to deliver detailed, actionable data to a wide range of clients. This groundbreaking work has attracted widespread attention, solidifying the company’s reputation as a rising star in Europe’s space tech ecosystem.

In just over a year, Marble Imaging has grown from a four-person startup with a bold vision into a structured and focused organisation, fully financing their first satellite mission and laying the groundwork for what will ultimately be a constellation of satellites. This progress is a testament, not only to their tenacity and brilliance as a team, but also to the support and resources they have gained through their partnership with the ESA BIC Northern Germany programme.

From ‘Wild West’ to a Well-Oiled Machine
When Marble Imaging first began, it was, in the words of the team, akin to a ‘wild west’ operation – characterised by the energy and chaos of a startup finding its footing. Today, they are a multifaceted group with the founders – Robert Hook, Dr. Gopika Suresh, Alexander Epp, and Dr. Raul Scarlat – dividing their roles with a clear purpose: while one team focuses on satellite design and payload development, the other works on business and marketing development.

The transition from small, agile team of four to a company with dedicated employees and well-defined processes marks a critical turning point in their journey. Gopika, reflected on this evolution, “at the beginning, it was just the four of us, but now we have employees to manage and clear targets to reach. It’s not as wild as before, it’s definitely more structured and focused.”

The startup’s first satellite, which is set to launch in 2026, has been a monumental milestone. Thanks to nearly ten million euros in public funding and support from the ESA BIC Northern Germany, the team has successfully reached the preliminary design review stage and has ordered all necessary hardware. As Robert explained, “ESA BIC Northern Germany incubated this programme with financing and provided the framework for payload development alongside our partners at Scanway. This level of support has crucial in helping us progress on track for the satellite’s launch.”

Evolution through ESA BIC Northern Germany
The rapid evolution of Marble Imaging has been fuelled in part by its participation in the ESA BIC Northern Germany, a business incubation programme that has become a cornerstone for startups in the space sector. Based in Bremen, ESA BIC Northern Germany provides startups with office space, funding, coaching and access to a vast network of industry experts and decision-makers. For Marble Imaging, this incubation programme has provided a crucial stepping stone for growth, allowing the team to focus on their ambitious plans.

“For a startup to be in this incubation programme, it’s incredibly helpful,” says Alexander, who overseas business development and marketing. “From practical things like office spaces to workshops, coaching and invaluable contacts, the ESA BIC has been a great kickstart for us. It’s not just the funding – it’s an entire ecosystem of support.”

The ESA BIC Northern Germany also opened doors for Marble Imaging to connect with talent through its various networking opportunities. Gopika noted, “many students who are interested in working in the space industry have found us through the opportunities that ESA has provided, which has been a great resource for building our team.”

These connections and networking opportunities have proven invaluable as Marble Imaging continues to attend major conferences and events such as the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen (STE) and the Berlin Security Conference. These platforms have helped the company refine its pitch, attract interest from politicians and decision-makers and, ultimately, get closer to potential customers.

Achieving Milestones and Learning Along the Way

One of the biggest achievements of Marble Imaging over the past year has been securing full financing for their first satellite. This milestone is a rare achievement for a young company in its first year. It demonstrates not only the potential of Marble Imaging and its technology, but also the trust that investors and institutions have placed in them.

Like any ambitious startup, Marble Imaging has faced its fair share of challenges. As they have scaled up, they have had to navigate complex regulatory hurdles, such as Germany’s “Satellitendatensicherheitsgesetz” (Satellite Data Security Law), which governs the operation and use of sensitive data.

Alexander acknowledged this learning curve, “you can’t just send a satellite into orbit and operate it as you like. These challenges have pushed us to refine our processes and become more aligned with the expectations of the professional space industry.”

The team has also adapted their initial vision to meet market realities. While their long-term goal remains to deploy a constellation of 200 satellites, they have chosen to focus on smaller-scale objectives for now. “We have realised it’s easier for people to grasp the concept of one or even twenty satellites, but 200 can be overwhelming,” Gopika explained. “So, we are implementing our vision step by step, which makes it more tangible and achievable.”

A Unified Team

Despite the challenges, the Marble Imaging team remains united by their shared passion and trust in one another. Raul, another key member of the team, shared a defining moment, “the first time I was told ‘Raul, you’re not needed here – we’ve got this’ I felt so secure. It showed me how much we’ve grown as a team. Everyone is confident in their role, and that trust allows us to focus on our individual responsibilities while knowing the bigger picture is in good hands.”

The company’s founders emphasise trust and dedication as the foundation of their work. Each team member plays to their strengths, and together they have created an environment where every success is collective.

Gopika echoed this sentiment, “we’re not just a team – we’re a family. Every milestone we have reached has been a collective success. There’s a lot of trust here, and when there’s a deadline, everyone comes together to get it done.”

Looking Ahead: What Lies Ahead for Marble Imaging

As Marble Imaging prepares for the launch of their first satellite in 2026, they remain focused on their long-term mission of building the first German commercial satellite constellation. The team continues to push the boundaries of Earth observation technology, driven by their vision of delivering transformative insights to industries and governments worldwide.

Their participation in the ESA BIC Northern Germany has not only provided them with the resources and connections to thrive, but has also positioned them as a shining example of how incubation programmes can catalyse innovation in the European space sector. With clear goals, a growing reputation, and a strong foundation of teamwork, Marble Imaging remains a trailblazer in satellite technology.

Inspiring Startups in the The journey of Marble Imaging offers valuable lessons for other startups looking to enter the space tech sector. Their advice is simple, but powerful: embrace opportunities, and do not let fear hold you back.

In just a few short years, Marble Imaging has gone from a bold idea to a company on the cusp of redefining Earth observation. With the support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany, the team at Marble Imaging and their unwavering dedication, this is one startup whose trajectory is unmistakably aimed at the stars. In the words of the team, “look up and you’ll find us there!”

Learn more about Marble Imaging under the following links:
Website
LinkedIn
Youtube

About ESA BIC Northern Germany

The Incubation Centre of the European Space Agency in Northern Germany (ESA BIC Northern Germany) is headquartered jointly with the Bremen aeronautics and space industries association at the Bremer Innovations- und Technologiezentrum BITZ as well as the Digihub Industry – two of the largest innovation and technology centres for high-tech companies and startups in the German federal state of Bremen. The ESA BIC Northern Germany brings new startup opportunities to the region and thus strengthens the aeronautics and space sector in the German federal state of Bremen. AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. supports the incubatees with its network, public relations work and targeted coaching not only during the incubation period, but also afterwards as alumni. STARTHAUS Bremen & Bremerhaven is the central point of contact in the Bremen startup ecosystem and supports the startups on all issues relating to business development and financing. The ESA BIC Northern Germany is managed by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), an international networking and branding company for the European space programmes that also manages ESA BIC Bavaria with three locations in southern Germany.

Since 2021, ESA BIC Northern Germany has also been offering its service to space-related startups in Schleswig-Holstein. The Technikzentrum Lübeck with GATEWAY49, AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. As of June 2024, ESA BIC Northern Germany also offers its services to space-related startups in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Innovation Port Wismar with AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. There are also plans to extend ESA BIC Northern Germany to the northern German federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Berlin-Brandenburg.

Technical support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany, is offered by Fraunhofer IFAM, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, DLR-RY Institute for Space Systems, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar Research AWI, Universities in the State of Bremen incl. many institutes such as IUP Institute for Environmental Physics, Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM, TH Lübeck, University Lübeck,  Life Science Nord, Airbus Group, ArianeGroup, AES Aircraft Elektro/Elektronik System, Dräger, DSI Aerospace, Possehl, and OHB.