Azora
Techstars '25San Francisco, US · Founded 2024 · Delaware corporation · 9 employees on LinkedIn · 3 known investors
Azora develops optical ground stations for space-to-Earth data communications. The company's systems enable satellites to transmit data at significantly higher speeds and lower cost than traditional radio frequency downlinks.
Founders & leadership
Azora was founded in 2024 by James Schalkwyk.
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James SchalkwykinCo-Founder and CEO
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Cameron PorterNamed on SEC filing
Investors · 3
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$7.7M disclosed across 1 round · 2026
▶$7.7MraisedJul 2026 · 18 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$7.7MraisedJul 2026 · 18 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- James SchalkwykExecutive Officer
- Cameron PorterDirector
- Offering amount
- $7.7M
- Amount sold
- $7.7M
- First sale
- May 2026
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2024
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Competitors · 4
by search overlap
Capella Space8 shared keywordsCapella Space designs, builds, and operates synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellations that provide all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation imagery at sub-0.25m resolution. It offers an automated end-to-end tasking and data delivery platform serving defense and intelligence, maritime, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring customers.
Esa4 shared keywordsThe European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's intergovernmental organization for space, carrying out missions and research across space science, technology, and applications. It supports the competitiveness of the European space industry through procurement, commercial opportunities, and collaboration with its Member States.
Vantor3 shared keywordsVantor provides professional services including training programs, custom analytics, and consulting to help organizations build spatial intelligence systems and develop workforce expertise.
Umbra3 shared keywordsUmbra designs, builds, tests, and operates satellite systems with precision radar imagery capabilities for space-based missions and intelligence applications. The company provides end-to-end spacecraft and sensor solutions for government and defense customers globally.
Companies competing with Azora for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
In the news
Investing in Volta | Andreessen Horowitza16z.com · Aug 2026
Volta secures $10B partnership and $300M raise, co-led by a16z, at a $2.4B valuationcryptobriefing.com · Aug 2026
Nvidia, Dell Back AI Cloud Startup Volta at $2.4 Billion Value - Bloombergbloomberg.com · Aug 2026
Azora raises $7.67 million for modular optical ground stations - RuntimeWireruntimewire.com · Jul 2026Frequently asked questions
- What does Azora do?
- Azora develops optical ground stations for space-to-Earth data communications. The company's systems enable satellites to transmit data at significantly higher speeds and lower cost than traditional radio frequency downlinks.
- Who founded Azora?
- Azora was founded by James Schalkwyk in 2024.
- Who are Azora's investors?
- Azora's investors include Techstars, Andreessen Horowitz, NVIDIA.
- How much funding has Azora raised?
- Azora has disclosed $7.7M raised across 1 round.
- Where is Azora headquartered?
- Azora is headquartered in San Francisco, US.