EDGX secures €2.3M boost to advance AI-driven edge computing in space

Belgium-based spacetech startup EDGX has successfully completed a seed funding round accumulating €2.3 million. This investment aims to expedite the company's mission to supply AI-enhanced edge computing technology for satellites, promising swift and effective data processing from space.

EDGX's focal point is the commercialisation of its innovative edge AI computer, Sterna. This breakthrough device is designed for installation in satellites to optimise in-orbit data management. The startup has already secured a multi-unit agreement valued at €1.1 million with a satellite operator, marking its advance in the industry. Notably, an in-orbit demonstration on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission is slated for February 2026.

The funding was orchestrated by the collaboration of imec.istart future fund, Flanders Future Tech Fund, and PMV, a Flemish investment entity. Additionally, EDGX garnered further backing from its existing investor, imec.istart, renowned as a top university-affiliated accelerator in Europe.

At the core of this innovation is the EDGX Sterna Computer, a formidable data processing unit (DPU) relying on NVIDIA technology. This device empowers satellites to execute complex algorithms directly in orbit, eliminating the substantial bottleneck of downloading vast amounts of raw data to Earth for processing. The payoff is satellite operators can now deliver enhanced data-driven services with greater swiftness and efficiency.

Powered by its proprietary SpaceFeather software, the Sterna computer incorporates a robust Linux OS with key features such as in-orbit application frameworks for new capabilites post launch and autonomous health assessments. This minimises downtime and operational costs, offering satellite constellations previously unimaginable levels of onboard computing performance.

Sterna is already proving invaluable across diverse application domains. For instance, its capability to process radio signals in orbit enables real-time spectrum monitoring and mapping, a vital function for efficient communication service delivery. In Earth observation, its advanced analytics allows immediate object detection and event response, transforming passive data collection into dynamic situational awareness. Moreover, Sterna is pioneering 5G and 6G connectivity from space, promising high-speed internet accessibility in remote areas.

As EDGX dons the mantle of an AI-driven space infrastructure leader, plans for further orbital demonstrations set for 2026 cement its poised ascendancy in the sector.

Wouter Benoot, founder and CTO of EDGX, said: “Each engineer brings fresh ideas, a drive to understand space, and a passion to make it real. We’re building a subsystem that powers the next generation of satellites.”
 
Roald Borré, Head of Venture Capital and member of the Executive Committee at PMV said: “This round of financing will enable us to support EDGX’s strong team in bringing promising Flemish technology to market and developing it further. EDGX is one of the few European players to offer a product that is high-performance, accessible and robust, giving it unique advantages in the fast-growing market for edge computing in space, not least in terms of strengthening Europe’s technological position in a strategic sector such as space infrastructure”
 
Kris Vandenberk, managing partner at imec.istart future fund said: “EDGX represents exactly the kind of transformative infrastructure play we look for. The space industry is hitting a fundamental bottleneck; we're generating massive amounts of data in orbit but still using outdated 'store and forward' architectures. EDGX is solving this by bringing AI-powered edge computing directly into space, enabling satellites to analyse and act on data in real-time rather than waiting for ground processing.”