Club degli Investitori has announced the strategic entry of its members into AIKO, a Turin-based scale-up grown in I3P developing advanced software solutions based on artificial intelligence and automation for space applications.
Through Simon Fiduciaria, the members of the Club degli Investitori have contributed an investment of €520,000, bringing AIKO’s Series A funding round to a total of €4 million. This new investment will enable AIKO to strengthen its growth in Europe and the United States, further expanding its artificial intelligence solutions for onboard satellite applications.
The financing operation
The Club degli Investitori, known for supporting the most promising startups and scale-ups, joins the key players in the round – which in 2024 helped AIKO raise €3.5 million – led by Deep Blue Ventures (DBV), the deep-tech-focused venture capital fund managed by Deep Ocean Capital SGR SpA, and Primo Ventures SGR SpA, through its specialized fund Primo Space.
Among the Club degli Investitori members, Marco Villa plays a key role as Champion of the Club. He stated: "AIKO is a pioneer in automation through the practical application of artificial intelligence, leveraging a flexible architecture that has accelerated the adoption of its technology in the space sector. The company has quickly established itself as a reference point in Italy and Europe. Lorenzo is a determined founder, leading a top-tier team that has already demonstrated the value of its solutions in the field. As a Champion of the Club degli Investitori, I am proud to support this outstanding Italian company that is redefining the future of space automation and beyond."
With this investment, AIKO’s total funding reaches €7 million, while the Series A round remains open for additional investments up to a maximum of €5 million. AIKO aims to consolidate its global presence, using the new capital to strengthen its market position in Europe, with a particular focus on France, where AIKO already has an office in Toulouse, and to launch its expansion into the United States by 2025. Thanks to the funds raised, the company plans to grow its workforce from 40 to 70 employees over the next two years.
"We have been following AIKO for a long time and are thrilled to solidify this partnership with the Club degli Investitori. Lorenzo and his team have demonstrated excellent planning and execution capabilities, supported by strong demand in the aerospace sector, which we strongly believe in. We will leverage our network and the expertise of our members to accelerate AIKO’s growth", said Zeno Kastelic, Associate at Club degli Investitori.
The future of the project
"The entry of the Club degli Investitori members into this round marks a strategic step for us at a key moment in our growth. Their support will enable us to enhance our solutions, accelerate scalability, and kickstart expansion into overseas markets", said Lorenzo Feruglio, Founder and CEO of AIKO. "This is yet another confirmation of the market’s confidence in our project and vision: to establish ourselves as a global player capable of serving key space industry stakeholders in Europe and the United States with cutting-edge AI-based software solutions for space applications."
AIKO will continue investing in the development of innovative software solutions to automate the entire operational process of space missions. Among its key products in development are gifted_GENE, a predictive maintenance software for space missions, and orbital_OLIVER, an onboard operating system that enables autonomous satellite operations. The company’s goal is to build an integrated platform that allows for the complete automation of space mission operations, improving efficiency and reducing associated costs.
The contribution of the Club degli Investitori members and the involvement of Marco Villa further reinforce the confidence in AIKO’s potential and its ability to drive innovation in the space sector.
