Spain's startup Xoople has raised $130 million to launch a satellite constellation that provides precise data for deep learning models. The firm aims to be the go-to source of 'ground truth' for enterprise platforms, focusing on embedding its services directly into existing ecosystems.

The company is partnering with U.S. space giant L3Harris Technologies to develop sensors for Xoople's spacecraft, which will offer data two orders of magnitude better than current systems. This move comes as AI becomes increasingly critical in business, but Xoople faces competition from established players like Vantor and Airbus.

CEO Fabrizio Pirondini emphasises the quality of their data, noting that 'we are in unicorn territory.' However, Xoople has yet to disclose details about its satellite plans, including the exact number it intends to build. For now, it relies on publicly available data from ESA's Sentinel-2 spacecraft.

The startup’s business model focuses on enterprise platforms, with use cases ranging from government agencies tracking infrastructure and natural disasters, to agribusiness monitoring crop health and large firms overseeing supply chains. The challenge lies in striking a balance between raw data provision and developing proprietary analysis tools.