Sophia Space Raises $10M to Build Orbital Data Center Precursor

The $10M seed will help Sophia develop and test its in-orbit computing technology, setting the stage for orbital data centers by the 2030s.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Sophia Space, a startup based in Pasadena, CA, has closed a $10M seed round to accelerate the development and testing of its in-orbit computing technology. The funding, led by Alpha Funds, KDDI Green Partners Fund, and Unlock Venture Partners, will help Sophia lay the groundwork for operational orbital data centers by the 2030s.

Why it matters

Orbital data centers have the potential to revolutionize the way data is processed and stored in space, providing an alternative to traditional terrestrial data centers. Sophia's technology aims to overcome key challenges such as overheating and the need for manual repairs in the vacuum of space, paving the way for a new era of space-based computing.

The details

Sophia Space was born out of Mandala Space Ventures, a startup accelerator focused on solving terrestrial problems with space-based tech. The company has leveraged and repurposed IP originally developed through a $100M grant intended to study the possibility of solar-power-beaming capabilities. Sophia's first product, TILE, is a 1 m^2 and 1cm thick module that hosts a solar array on one side and Nvidia tech on the other. Each TILE can power four Nvidia Jetson Orins and uses a proprietary passive cooling method to expel excess heat into the cold of space. Sophia has also developed an AI-assisted operating system, SOOS, to optimize the distribution of processing power and handle firmware upgrades, security patches, and other IT-related tasks.

  • Sophia Space was founded in 2023.
  • Sophia plans to use the seed funding to build its first two TILES and begin ground testing this year.
  • A software demo mission in space is also set for this year.
  • The first in-orbit demonstration of the complete TILE build is expected to fly in late 2027 or early 2028.

The players

Sophia Space

A startup based in Pasadena, CA, that was born out of Mandala Space Ventures, a startup accelerator focused on solving terrestrial problems with space-based tech.

Leon Alkalai

The founder of Sophia Space, who came up with the idea of putting a server on the solar-power-beaming technology originally developed through a $100M grant.

Rob DeMillo

The CEO of Sophia Space, who has led the development of the company's in-orbit computing technology.

Alpha Funds

One of the lead investors in Sophia Space's $10M seed round.

KDDI Green Partners Fund

One of the lead investors in Sophia Space's $10M seed round.

Unlock Venture Partners

One of the lead investors in Sophia Space's $10M seed round.

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What they’re saying

“The math said it would work, but the economics didn't quite work out. And then [Sophia founder Leon Alkalai] raised his hand and said, 'Well, what if we put a server on this thing,'”

— Rob DeMillo, CEO of Sophia Space (Payload)

“Because of that lineage that comes out of Mandala, JPL, and Caltech, we were the recipients of a lot of the IP.”

— Rob DeMillo, CEO of Sophia Space (Payload)

What’s next

After a software demo mission in space this year, the first in-orbit demonstration of the complete TILE build is expected to fly in late 2027 or early 2028.

The takeaway

Sophia Space's innovative in-orbit computing technology has the potential to revolutionize the way data is processed and stored in space, paving the way for a new era of orbital data centers that could augment and complement terrestrial data capacities.