Hydrosat Raises $60M to Monitor Water From Space

Imagine being able to see exactly where crops are getting thirsty before they wilt, or spotting irrigation problems across an entire country in a single day. That's now becoming reality thanks to Hydrosat, a satellite company that just raised $60 million to expand its water-monitoring network.

The Washington and Luxembourg-based startup announced its Series B funding on January 15, led by Hartree Partners, Subutai Capital Partners, and Space 4 Earth. The investment will fuel the launch of additional thermal infrared satellites and expand operations into water-stressed regions across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, India, and Latin America.

Hydrosat operates two thermal imaging satellites that scan over 10 million square kilometers daily, measuring ground temperature to reveal where plants are stressed and water is scarce. Founded in 2017, the company pairs this space-based data with artificial intelligence to give farmers, governments, and researchers real-time insights about irrigation, drought risk, and crop health at the field level.

The technology is already making waves. The National Reconnaissance Office signed a contract in July to access Hydrosat's imagery for food security and national defense applications. Agribusinesses use the data to optimize irrigation and improve water productivity across vast farmlands.

With the new funding, Hydrosat is hiring sales representatives in India, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia, with plans to open additional international offices this year. The company is also expanding its engineering teams in California and Luxembourg while building the next generation of satellites that will offer higher resolution and greater capacity.

The Ripple Effect

Water scarcity affects billions of people worldwide, and climate change is making the problem worse. By providing daily temperature insights from space, Hydrosat gives communities the information they need to use water more efficiently and respond to drought conditions before they become crises.

"Hydrosat's data is rapidly becoming essential infrastructure for managing water resources," said George Potts of Hartree Partners. The company's approach gives governments and agricultural communities the clarity to build resilience in a warming world.

Even insurance companies are taking notice. Truffle Capital partner Bozena Adamczyk noted that space-based intelligence is transforming from optional to fundamental infrastructure for understanding and managing climate-related risks.

As water becomes increasingly precious, having eyes in the sky that can spot problems before they escalate offers hope that smart technology can help us care for this vital resource more wisely.