SLIMOP Space will take its optical technology into space in 2027, consolidating its technological roadmap, its positioning in the sector and the growth of the start-up. SLIMOP joined the Business Factory Aero (BFAero) in 2025 during the sixth edition of the programme and has been selected for the seventh edition, within the Consolidation phase.
The company is dedicated to developing pioneering Orbital Telescopes for small satellites and nanosatellites, based on its own architecture of high-precision, low-weight optical mirrors. This innovative technology speeds up manufacturing processes, significantly reduces the weight and cost of optical systems, and facilitates their integration into scalable space platforms, with particular applications in Earth observation and space optical communications.
During 2025, SLIMOP Space has registered three technology patents, with a fourth in preparation, and has validated ultralight mirror subsystems in the laboratory at TRL5 level, a milestone that reinforces the maturity of its solution and its capacity for future demonstrations in orbit.
SLIMOP Space’s growth has been made possible thanks to the first round of pre-seed funding completed in 2025, in which the company brought in private investors specialising in the aerospace sector, who also contribute strategic management expertise. This private funding has been complemented by the support of various European, national and regional public bodies and programmes, including the European Space Agency (ESA), through the ESA BIC Barcelona programme, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism through ENISA, the Generalitat de Catalunya through ACCIÓ and the Startup Capital programme, as well as the Xunta de Galicia, with the support of GAIN, IGAPE and XesGalicia, in addition to the Business Factory Aero (BFAero) programme itself as an initiative to promote consolidated projects in the aerospace sector.
In total, more than €700,000 in capital resources have driven this first phase of R&D since the company was founded three years ago. SLIMOP Space is currently immersed in the preparation and closing of a new seed round that will enable it to consolidate its strategic plan for the period 2026-2028 and consolidate the technical specifications necessary for its leap into space.
BFAero: driving aerospace innovation
SLIMOP Space is embarking on this new phase with the aim of positioning itself as a benchmark in advanced optical solutions for space platforms, contributing to the development of efficient and competitive constellations in global markets. Its participation in BFAero and the solid institutional support it has received highlight not only the quality of the project, but also the role of the accelerator as key platform for promoting technology start-ups in strategic sectors with high technological demands.
The company integrated into Business Factory Aero (BFAero), Vig-Sec Drone, has successfully closed a one-million-euro investment round, a key milestone that will enable it to boost its business plans, accelerate the automation of its technology and strengthen its international expansion.
This progress reflects not only the strength of the Vig-Sec Drone project, but also the value of BFAero as a platform that facilitates startups’ access to public and private investment entities, connecting talent, technology and capital to accelerate their market entry.
A mature technology, validated in real operations
Vig-Sec Drone specialises in advanced airspace management and the secure integration of drones in critical environments, both civilian and military. Its Suite ACRE (Restricted Emergency Control Area) solution is a dual-use Emergency UTM system capable of monitoring and reconfiguring airspace in real time, integrating manned aircraft, drones and land or maritime sensors within a single operational environment.
The company’s technology has already been validated in real, highly demanding scenarios, achieving unprecedented milestones in Spain, such as coordinating drones with helicopters from the Ministry of Defence in critical missions. In addition, it has taken part in multinational exercises in Slovakia together with BRILAT, demonstrating the interoperability of its platform in allied environments, and has been selected for the ATLAS 25 exercise as one of the companies responsible for the simultaneous management of manned and unmanned aircraft.
Artificial intelligence and international expansion
Thanks to this investment round, Vig-Sec Drone will drive a new development phase focused on incorporating onboard artificial intelligence aimed at anticipating airspace conflicts, optimising routes and resolving risk situations in real time. All of this will be carried out under a ‘man in the loop’ model, which guarantees human supervision, traceability and operational rigour in critical missions.
The company will continue to align its platform with NATOand EASAstandards, a key step to facilitate its adoption in European and allied ecosystems, and will take part in the Force 2035 programme, which evaluates the technologies that will define the future operational landscape of Defence.
BFAero: connecting innovation and funding
With headquarters in Lugo and Nigrán, and growth that has taken it from two founders in 2022 to more than 17 professionals, Vig-Sec Drone faces this new stage with the aim of becoming a global standard for secure airspace management.
This achievement highlights the role of Business Factory Aero as a driving innovation ecosystem, supporting projects not only in their technological development, but also in access to strategic funding, which is key to scaling up, consolidating business models and competing in highly demanding international markets.
Over the past few weeks, several BFAerostartups have earned recognition both nationally and internationally within the aerospace innovation ecosystem. These awards and distinctions are proof of the effectiveness of their projects, which address civil or military challenges through an innovative approach.
VALAR has been selected as one of the winners of the 2024 CASSINI Challenges, organized by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). This is a major acknowledgment of the company’s commercial track record and a validation of its vision to make space operations more accessible, reliable, and efficient for the entire European space ecosystem.
Aguia Analítica Avanzada has received the 2025 Aeronautical Innovation Award – COIAE, in recognition of its work in developing advanced technologies for the intelligent inspection and management of infrastructure. In addition, it has been recognized as one of the 101 outstanding companies in the second edition of the Top 101 Spain Up Nation Awards, an event that celebrates high-impact entrepreneurial talent in Spain.
It is also worth noting that Vig Sec Drone was likewise recognized as a Top 101 Spain Up Nation in this year’s edition.
Finally, congratulations are also due to Kreios Space, which achieved great success in Korea by winning the “Most Disruptive Startup” award at South Summit Korea 2025.
All these recognitions also offer valuable opportunities to expand networks and connections for the development of future projects. Congratulations to everyone involved.
With this figure, BFAero has achieved its goal of expanding its reach beyond the national sphere, strengthening its position as a European benchmark in aeronautical and aerospace entrepreneurship.
Origin of the Projects
International projects: Seven come from European Union countries (including Italy, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, and Bulgaria), while the rest come from Argentina, Malaysia, Turkey, India, and Switzerland.
National projects: The call also sparked significant interest, with 78 Spanish proposals, 61% of which came from regions such as Catalonia (12), Madrid (11), Andalusia (9), the Basque Country (3), and the Canary Islands (2). Galician projects account for 39% of the total, with 30 applications.
Main Thematic Areas
The submitted initiatives fall into four thematic areas:
Development of unmanned vehicle applications for specific markets, such as emergency and civil protection services or industrial infrastructure inspection (56%).
Technologies applied to the satellite sector (20%).
Creation of platforms and their components, including structures, energy, propulsion, systems, navigation, and piloting (15%).
Projects involving onboard or ground-based equipment and systems (10%).
BFAero Itineraries
The program includes three tracks, tailored to each project’s maturity level:
Incubation phase (early stage): 40% of the projects registered.
Acceleration phase (projects with a developed Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and first sales): 45% of the projects.
Consolidation phase (for companies with defined products or services and actual sales, looking to scale): 15% of the entries.
Spain’s Best Accelerator
Recognized for the second consecutive year as the best accelerator in Spain by the national FUNCAS ranking, BFAero has become a strategic driver of business creation and acceleration within the Strategic Initiative in Security, Defense, and Aerospace 2025–2030, promoted by the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry.
The program has had a strong economic and industrial impact in Galicia. Since its launch in 2018, it has supported 58 projects, created 15 new technology companies, facilitated the relocation of 13 firms to Galicia, and generated over 270 skilled jobs. Projects from the 5th and 6th editions have attracted more than €14 million in investment.
The Spanish subsidiary of Telespazio, a leading company in the BFAero initiative, celebrates five years of presence in Galicia with major milestones in the development of advanced solutions for unmanned aircraft. In an interview with Faro de Vigo, Carlos Hernández Medel, Director of Marketing, Business Development, and Sales, confirmed that the company will launch in 2026 its portfolio of drone applications developed in the region, with which it expects to generate more than 20 million euros in revenue over the next five years.
Galicia, a key ecosystem for aerospace innovation
Telespazio decided to invest in Galicia in 2020, attracted by the Rozas Aerospace Center and the strong innovation ecosystem formed by technology centers, universities, SMEs, and startups. “If that solid ecosystem hadn’t existed, we probably wouldn’t have chosen Galicia,” Hernández emphasized.
The company has actively participated in the Civil UAV Initiative, developing with the Xunta de Galicia applications that combine satellite technology and drone operations. Among them are projects for cataloging marine populations, controlling invasive species, monitoring biodiversity, and creating high-resolution forest inventories for wildfire prevention.
Center of excellence and future expansion
Thanks to this joint effort, Telespazio Ibérica has been recognized within the group as a center of excellence in drones and combined technologies, with an international focus.
The Galician office currently employs 15 professionals, but the company plans to triple that number to around 50 within five years. In addition, the firm does not rule out acquiring Galician startups and strengthening its collaboration with companies incubated in Business Factory Aero, such as Kreiosand UARX Space, with which it is developing space innovation projects.
Space horizon and commitment to Galicia
The future of Telespazio in the region involves consolidating the commercialization of its solutions, continuing to innovate on existing services, and opening new business lines in the space sector. Hernández highlights the importance of Galician university talent and the company’s long-term commitment to the Regional Government of Galicia within the framework of the new Aerospace Plan.
“We feel very comfortable because it’s part of our DNA: innovating in collaboration with the Galician ecosystem,” concludes Hernández.
During the event, the startups outlined the key aspects of their Business Plans and had the opportunity to learn in detail about the investment strategies and the specific conditions that each investment entity establishes for the different program tracks.
The Investor Day concluded with a networking session where the projects expanded their network of contacts within the BFAero ecosystem.
Tracks and Funding
The BFAero program offers three tracks, adapted to each project’s stage of maturity, providing access to specific funding options.
Incubation, For early-stage projects without a validated value proposition, lasting up to 12 months. Startups in this phase can receive up to €40,000 in non-repayable funding through the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape).
Acceleration, Aimed at projects with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) already developed and initial sales, lasting 8 months. Projects in this phase may access up to €60,000 in non-repayable funding from Igape, and an additional participating loan of up to €50,000, with the option of equity conversion through Xesgalicia, the investment arm of the Xunta de Galicia.
Consolidation: Designed for companies with a defined product or service and actual sales that are seeking to scale their business, lasting up to 6 months. Companies in this stage can obtain up to €30,000 in non-repayable funding from Igape. Additionally, as part of a funding round and upon request, a direct equity investment of up to €250,000 may be considered.
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