Space DOTS CEO Bianca Cefalo Shares Company Vision for In-Orbit Testing and Data

Space DOTS CEO Bianca Cefalo. Photo: Space DOTS

Space DOTS is a U.K.-based space startup working to pioneer a paradigm shift in space materials qualification to expedite the process for the space industry. The company’s enabling technology, the Barnacle DOT, is a smartphone-sized, scalable data acquisition lab hosted on third-party platforms, providing a solution for in orbit materials properties testing. It aims to eliminate the need for customers to design complex experiments or manage launch logistics, streamlining the qualification process.

The company is led by Bianca Cefalo, who cut her teeth as a thermal engineer before becoming a product manager for Airbus, and then a sales executive for advanced thermal control materials suppliers to the space industry. These experiences that led her to shape a vision for Space DOTS. The goal of the company is to make it more feasible for materials suppliers to validate their products for space use, so they don’t have to rely on one prime space company for material qualification.

In this interview, Cefalo talks about adjusting company strategy with customer feedback, fundraising, and building up a company as one of the few women CEOs in the space industry.

VIA SATELLITE: Space DOTS has an ambitious vision in the area of in-orbit testing. Would you say there been any major pivots to the company’s strategy since 2021?

Cefalo: Certainly. The year 2021 was the ideation phase for Space DOTS, and the concept we had at the outset has undergone substantial changes. The original idea cantered around advanced in-orbit testing of materials, evolved through discussions within the industry.

Although the end goal remains unchanged, over the past year, engaging with investors and potential customers while developing the tech has been instrumental in steering our focus. What became apparent was the untapped potential in the data aspect of our hardware. Surprisingly, being not initially geared towards data, we delved into it and recognized a substantial opportunity. This realization sparked a significant pivot. The landscape is evolving rapidly, and our ability to adapt to these changes has become a cornerstone of our approach.

VIA SATELLITE: What do you see as the balance between hardware and data? What about AI?

Cefalo: Hardware is fundamental for data gathering, and both aspects will develop simultaneously. While AI holds potential, its implementation is not yet imminent, for Space DOTS, at least. As the industry evolves, we will explore integrating AI for our autonomous in-space systems. The hope is that AI, now part of our daily lives, can enhance efficiency and autonomy for a thriving in-space economy, aligning with our vision for Space DOTS to support in-situ autonomous space operations, especially on the Moon and other celestial bodies.

VIA SATELLITE: Which of those products do you think will be the catalyst for the business?

Cefalo: Our data-gathering unit, the Data DOT, is anticipated to be the first major revenue generator. This standalone product is expected to be more readily accepted than a service, especially in the initial stages. We’ll assess its performance this year and next, and adjust our strategy accordingly.

VIA SATELLITE: When we talk about the data side, does that bring in some new cybersecurity challenges you didn’t necessarily think about when you were talking about hardware?

Cefalo: Absolutely, yes. As we concluded our pre-seed funding, data emerged as a significant focus for our business. Recognizing this shift, we brought on board a head of Digital Product (Vince Hui) who specializes in data management. Initially, we hadn’t anticipated the need for such a role, but the evolving landscape necessitated it. Our new team member, with a background in finance, brings cybersecurity expertise to the table. Their task involves building a team, devising strategies for data packaging, and exploring avenues for data analytics. As we move forward, we are drawing inspiration from how Google manages and packages data, acknowledging the myriad considerations in this evolving landscape.

VIA SATELLITE: How soon do you think you will sign commercial customers? What type of customers are you aiming to serve? 

Cefalo: We are looking to finalize commercial contracts within the next few weeks or months. The timeline can vary due to the diverse nature of our customers. Our primary focus now is on space industry primes followed by already-successful and emerging new space businesses, particularly those involved in ISAM (in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing) and cislunar missions. With the first ones, closing deals takes time, influenced by lengthy bureaucratic processes and approvals chains for new services/products adoption, whilst with the second category it is easier to find quick alignment and move on to the next stage of the partnership.

The B2B sales cycle especially with industry primes, involves convincing multiple decision-makers and budget holders. Despite having over two decades of industry experience between my co-founder and myself, we are now somewhat considered newcomers, seeking funding and market validation for a product that is still in development. Similar to fundraising, success lies in selling our vision, identifying key stakeholders, and securing champions within potential customer organizations.

VIA SATELLITE: Why are you convinced what you are doing is going to strike a chord with potential customers?

Cefalo: The genesis of our products stems from a real problem we experienced while working at Airbus Defence & Space. Having identified a gap, we are driven to address it in our unique way. I am confident that the problems we’re solving are genuine and impactful.

VIA SATELLITE: You are looking to raise up to $7 million in funding this year. What will you look to do once you have that funding in place?

Cefalo: Space tech businesses building hardware are extremely capital intensive by default. Our initial funding was planned for a nearly two-year year runway, allowing ample time for initial key hires and MVP development; with our focus on compact miniaturized systems and strategic partnerships with hosting/launching platforms, we manage to keep technology expenses relatively low.

The transition from pre-seed to seed stage will primarily support our commercialization and expansion plans. We intend to execute multiple planned missions, commercialize early products, expand our team, and establish a significant presence in the U.S. market between Seed and the Series A. The funds will contribute to move the product development needle towards our end goals, manufacturing and monetizing our diverse product lines. This includes our first standalone payload ‘Data DOT’, offering space environmental data detection as-a-service, alongside the development of our in-orbit testing services for advanced materials.

VIA SATELLITE: You have won some tech startup awards, including Deeptech Startup in the Europas, there seems to be a buzz around the company. What would represent success for you?

Cefalo: Our primary focus is on tangible accomplishments. Success, for us, is rooted in consistently fulfilling our commitments and addressing our customers’ challenges effectively. Before I stepped into the CEO shoes, I was an engineer, and nothing feels more like a win than finding and delivering a solid solution to a common problem.

Sure, getting awards is cool; it helps with the brand and attracts investors and customers. But let’s be real, true credibility comes from doing the work, doing it again and again, and growing steadily. The pivotal moment for us will be when we make our first customer genuinely happy – that’s when we’ll dig in, learn, and figure out how to consistently deliver excellence, not just a product or a service people think may be nice to have.

For instance, this year, we are eagerly anticipating launching our first MVP on the Space-X Transporter-12 mission. It doesn’t mark just a milestone; it’s about building products that are actually worth adopting.

VIA SATELLITE: We are seeing more women become CEOs in our industry. What has been your experience so far?

Cefalo: Embarking on the journey of being a founder has been truly transformative for me. It’s a rollercoaster of personal growth, an exhilarating and humbling experience where I find myself learning on my feet every single day. However, being one of the few women in this space (no pun intended) adds an extra layer of growth, with its trials, failures, and expansive moments.

What sets my experience apart? While male founders often have predecessors whose journeys they can relate to and draw inspiration from, my journey as a woman in this industry has a unique flavor. There are not as many women founders with established visibility or trajectories that I can look up to because we have all nearly started around the same time. This means I’m essentially carving out my own path — determining how I lead my team, shape our culture, trying to have a personal life outside work and check my ‘CEO hat’ at the door (still learning how to actually do that). It is an ongoing learning curve and there is no right or wrong, only what feels authentic to me, my team and moves the business needle forward.

This unique twist in my journey might just become a handbook for future generations of women navigating similar paths. It is all about pioneering roles in a way that feels true to yourself. At the same time, it involves looking out for other women founders, and having each other’s backs! We assist each other with introductions to investors, share insights on potential red flags and negotiations, and navigate instances where biases may try to overshadow our capabilities. The tightly knit support network we are building has resulted in some of my closest friendships, and I aspire to contribute to the next generation, passing on the valuable lessons we are all learning in this chaotic but rewarding journey.

VIA SATELLITE: What do you hope to accomplish with Space DOTS this year? 

Cefalo: At the beginning of 2025, our goal for Space DOTS is to successfully close our seed round, secure our first commercial customer contracts, and start generating revenue. We aim to demonstrate the value of our initial product, called ‘Data DOT’, and move towards its commercialization.

Looking forward, our ambitious plan for 2025 and 2026 includes scheduled customer missions and preparations for a potential inaugural Moon mission. Therefore, this year is truly a pivotal ‘make or break’ period for us – a crucial time to ensure that all our planned initiatives are delivered and set the foundation for the exciting roadmap ahead.