Shield Space announced it has raised a $2.7 million pre-seed round to develop autonomous “Space Control” and counterspace capabilities designed to support NATO and allied forces.
The startup, founded by former operators, is positioning itself at the intersection of national security, space operations, and autonomy. In its announcement, Shield Space argued that space superiority is becoming more contested and that losing access, resilience, or operational advantage in orbit could have direct consequences for future military readiness. The company said it was formed by people who have “seen first-hand how space advantage is being lost,” framing its mission around preventing that erosion and ensuring allied forces can maintain freedom of action in space.
Shield Space said it is building autonomous capabilities intended to help allied forces “sense, act, and win in orbit,” describing the effort as a step toward credible deterrence. While the company did not provide technical details on specific products or timelines, the emphasis on autonomy and counterspace suggests a focus on rapid decision-making and responsive operational tools in increasingly complex orbital environments. Space control, a term used broadly across defense and space communities, typically refers to the ability to protect friendly space assets, monitor and understand activity in orbit, and, when necessary, counter hostile interference.
The round was backed by Mercia Asset Management PLC, Twin Path Ventures, ROI Ventures, P3A, Ventures Together, and Halceon, according to Shield Space. The company said the financing gives it the mandate to turn operational insight into deployable capability, with an explicit emphasis on delivering a “credible, sovereign advantage” for NATO in space—language that underscores allied interest in developing resilient, independent, and interoperable systems.
Shield Space’s announcement arrives amid rising concern among NATO members and partner governments about the vulnerability of satellites and space-enabled infrastructure that underpin modern military and civilian operations, from communications and navigation to intelligence collection and early warning. By focusing on autonomous space control, Shield Space is signaling that future space operations may rely less on manual oversight and more on software-driven systems capable of responding at machine speed to dynamic threats.
For Shield Space, the pre-seed raise is an early step toward proving the concept, building the product, and engaging with stakeholders across the defense ecosystem. The company said it intends to translate its operational experience into a capability deployable by NATO and its allies, aiming to contribute to deterrence by making space a domain in which allied forces can operate with greater confidence and resilience.
