LiCuSpace Receives 3 Million Euros for LiDAR Technology

Deeptech startup LiCuSpace GmbH has secured three million euros in funding to bring its atmospheric measurement and data solutions to market. The IBG funds of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, managed by bmp Ventures, are participating as lead investors with two million euros. According to the company, other investors bring expertise in marketing technological services and building innovative companies.

Existing shareholders, including the NORIS Group, will retain their stakes in LiCuSpace. The new capital will be used primarily to expand sales, further develop the software and AI technology, and hire additional staff. Pilot projects are also planned, which will serve as the basis for subsequently rolling out the solutions to additional customers.

LiCuSpace develops measurement systems that can record and analyze movements and changes in the atmosphere. The initial focus is on applications in the wind energy industry and the maritime sector. In these sectors, precise information about local wind conditions can make an important contribution to operational safety and the more efficient control of technical systems.

Laser-Based Measurement Technology for Wind Energy and Shipping

The technological basis for the products is the so-called LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) method. This technique uses laser beams to measure atmospheric properties without physical contact. Information about air movements, among other things, can be derived from the backscattered light signals.

By combining multiple spatially distributed measuring devices, three-dimensional models of airflows can be created. This enables companies to continuously monitor actual wind conditions at various altitudes and factor them into operational decisions.

The product portfolio includes compact systems such as LidarONE and LidarCUBE mini, as well as measurement solutions with ranges of up to 2.5 kilometers. These are complemented by the LidarFLEX and FullSky applications, which are designed to process measurement data and make it usable for specific applications.

The combination of measurement technology and AI-powered data processing is intended to enable the faster analysis of large volumes of atmospheric data and make it available for operational processes.

“Our customers need reliable information about what is actually happening in the layers of the atmosphere relevant to them,” explains Sami Yabroudi, Head of Partnerships & Manufacturing at LiCuSpace. The funding will make it possible to bring the developed solutions into practical use in collaboration with customers.

Research Transfer and New Corporate Headquarters in Magdeburg

LiCuSpace’s technological development builds, among other things, on research conducted as part of the funded RUBIN program. The research consortium working on the development of the LidarCUBE included the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and the Leibniz Institute for Atmospheric Physics.

The LidarCUBE system is designed for atmospheric measurements up to altitudes of 100 kilometers. As a result, its technological potential extends beyond the initially planned commercial applications in wind energy and shipping.

As part of the financing, LiCuSpace has relocated its corporate headquarters to Magdeburg. There, new office space is being created at the Innovation and Startup Center to accommodate the planned expansion of the team.

The previous location at the Port of Wismar will remain in operation. The assembly facility, the existing team, and the LiDAR test center will continue to be based there. In the long term, the company also plans to establish additional testing and assembly capacities in Magdeburg.

In addition, the company already has international partnerships in East Asia and the U.S.

For bmp Ventures, the combination of specialized measurement technology and artificial intelligence is particularly crucial. Ywes Israel, Principal at bmp Ventures, points to the growing need for reliable real-time information in areas where weather conditions have a direct impact on operations.

With this funding, LiCuSpace now aims to make the transition from technological development to broader commercial use. The success of the planned pilot projects and the extent to which they lead to long-term customer relationships will be decisive.