Pixxel Launches US Subsidiary Pixxel Federal to Win Government Deals

Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Pixxel has set up a US subsidiary, Pixxel Federal, to pursue American government business and build on its existing work with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

The company, which raised $100 million last month, plans to open an office around Washington, DC to work more closely with government customers and partners. Pixxel Federal will offer earth observation technologies, satellite mission systems and geospatial intelligence to agencies across civilian, defence and intelligence sectors.

Leadership and existing contracts

Allyson Jenkins, previously Vice President of Public Sector, has been appointed CEO of Pixxel Federal. She has led Pixxel's US government business since joining in January 2025. The new unit will build on recent wins: a contract under NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Programme and a Strategic Commercial Enhancements contract from the NRO. It will use these ties to chase further federal work.

"The US government market represents a significant opportunity for Pixxel as we expand our capabilities beyond hyperspectral imaging into advanced sensing technologies, software, and satellite systems," said founder and CEO Awais Ahmed.

What Pixxel will offer

Pixxel Federal will draw on the company's hyperspectral satellites, Earth intelligence software and satellite mission systems. Target uses include camouflage detection, terrain characterisation, critical mineral and rare earth element detection, environmental monitoring and agriculture. Pixxel says it operates the world's highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral constellation, which captures light across many narrow wavelength bands to reveal surface details that conventional imagery can miss.

Founded in 2019 by BITS Pilani alumni Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, Pixxel has also won several iDEX challenges from India's Ministry of Defence. It is developing a public-private Earth observation constellation under IN-SPACe, expected to be India's first of its kind, with 12 satellites carrying different imaging sensors.

In September, Pixxel raised $100 million in a Series C co-led by Temasek and Seraphim, the largest single round for an Indian spacetech company. Its total private funding now stands at around $195 million, with Google, Radical Ventures, growX ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and 360 ONE Asset among its investors.