Archangel Lightworks Raises Over £10M In Series A Funding Round

Archangel, a laser communications company, led by Richard J., Owain Pryce-Jones, Paul Davey, and Lucy Roberts, has raised £10 million of investment in a round led by Santander Alternative Investments, with participation from National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), Blackfinch Ventures, Oxford Capital, Lycka Limited, and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).

Archangel Lightworks is developing high-speed data infrastructure to connect space-based networks with ground systems, specializing in deployable laser links capable of Gbps+ and future Tbps+ capacity.

Its TERRA-M terminal is a compact, deployable optical ground station designed to address challenges such as the digital divide, quantum security, and continuous planetary monitoring. By providing a high-capacity, secure alternative to traditional radio-based systems, the company enables distributed, space-based connectivity solutions for a range of dual-use applications.

Demand for laser communication is rising due to limits in radio-based systems around bandwidth, spectrum access, and security. Optical links are already used in satellite networks and space missions, including Artemis II.

As orbital data centers and broadband constellations grow, higher-bandwidth connections are needed to serve Earth-based users. Combining optical space networks with satellites and data centers enables faster, more secure global data transmission and processing.

Archangel Lightworks has announced a successful funding round amid growing global demand for space-based connectivity. The company highlighted its progress in designing, building, and deploying laser communication systems, and plans to accelerate development with both new and existing partners to meet expanding customer needs across markets.

Nadir Maruf, Head of Infrastructure and Venture Capital at Santander Alternative Investments, expressed support for Archangel Lightworks, highlighting the strategic importance of ground-to-space communication infrastructure. He noted the company’s strong progress to date and expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration in the years ahead.