Asterra Company Profile

Background

Overview

Asterra is a geospatial technology company specializing in satellite-based infrastructure monitoring services. Founded in 2013 as Utilis, the company rebranded to Asterra in 2021 to reflect its expanded capabilities and applications. Headquartered in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, Asterra operates globally with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Mission and Vision

Asterra's mission is to become humanity's eyes, guiding it through Earth's changes by applying advanced analytic capabilities to synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The company's vision is to promote a more sustainable Earth by providing a greater understanding of humanity's impact on the planet.

Primary Area of Focus

Asterra focuses on providing actionable intelligence for infrastructure assessment, leak detection, and resource management through satellite-based SAR technology. Their solutions are utilized by water utilities, government agencies, and infrastructure managers to monitor and manage critical assets such as pipes, roads, rails, dams, levees, properties, and mines.

Industry Significance

Asterra's innovative approach has significantly impacted the infrastructure monitoring industry by enabling large-scale, proactive decisions that enhance resource resilience and sustainability. Since 2017, Asterra's technology has been used in over 64 countries, saving more than 557 billion gallons of water, 1.3 million MWh of energy, and reducing carbon emissions by 356,387 metric tons.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Infrastructure Monitoring: Utilize satellite-based SAR technology to monitor underground infrastructure, detecting issues such as leaks and soil moisture anomalies.

Sustainability: Support global sustainability efforts by providing solutions that conserve water, reduce energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions.

Global Expansion: Expand the reach of Asterra's solutions to a broader international market, addressing infrastructure challenges worldwide.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Leak Detection: Identify and locate underground water leaks in potable and wastewater systems to reduce non-revenue water and prevent environmental contamination.

Infrastructure Assessment: Evaluate the integrity of critical infrastructure such as dams, levees, roads, and railways to prevent failures and ensure safety.

Soil Moisture Mapping: Monitor soil moisture levels near infrastructure to assess potential risks related to soil stability and infrastructure resilience.

Key Technologies Utilized

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Employ satellite-based SAR data to penetrate the Earth's surface and detect subsurface anomalies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Apply proprietary algorithms and AI models to analyze SAR data and generate actionable insights.

Primary Markets Targeted

Water Utilities: Assist in leak detection and infrastructure management to improve water conservation and operational efficiency.

Government Agencies: Provide solutions for monitoring and maintaining public infrastructure, ensuring safety and sustainability.

Infrastructure Managers: Support proactive maintenance and risk assessment for critical infrastructure assets.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Asterra has raised a total of $10 million in funding. In March 2021, the company secured $6 million from the U.K. venture capital firm Beringea. Additionally, Asterra completed its Series A funding round from Maverick Ventures between 2016 and 2017.

Recent Funding Rounds

March 2021: Secured $6 million from Beringea.

2016-2017: Completed Series A funding from Maverick Ventures.

Notable Investors

Beringea: A U.K.-based venture capital firm that invested $6 million in March 2021.

Maverick Ventures: Participated in Asterra's Series A funding round between 2016 and 2017.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The funds raised have been utilized to expand Asterra's technological capabilities, enhance research and development efforts, and support global expansion initiatives. This includes investing in artificial intelligence to advance product offerings and establishing a stronger presence in international markets.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

MasterPlan: A solution for assessing underground pipe deficiencies to inform replacement decisions and long-term planning.

Recover: A leak detection technology that locates water or wastewater leaks from underground pipes, enabling proactive repairs.

EarthWorks: A soil moisture mapping tool for monitoring infrastructure such as roads, railways, dams, and levees to prevent failures.

Stages of Development

MasterPlan: Available for deployment, providing valuable insights for infrastructure management.

Recover: Recognized with the 2021 American Water Works Association Innovation Award, indicating successful implementation and adoption.

EarthWorks: In use for monitoring critical infrastructure, with ongoing enhancements to expand its capabilities.

Target Conditions

MasterPlan: Underground pipe deficiencies requiring assessment for replacement planning.

Recover: Underground water or wastewater leaks needing detection for proactive remediation.

EarthWorks: Soil moisture anomalies near infrastructure that may indicate potential failure risks.

Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

MasterPlan: Ongoing deployment with continuous updates to improve assessment accuracy.

Recover: Continued recognition and adoption in the water utility sector, with plans for further integration into industry standards.

EarthWorks: Expansion of monitoring capabilities to cover additional infrastructure types and regions.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

SAR Data Analytics: Utilize satellite-based SAR data to detect subsurface anomalies without the need for ground-based infrastructure.

AI-Driven Algorithms: Employ proprietary algorithms and AI models to analyze SAR data and generate actionable insights.

Significant Scientific Methods

PolSAR Imaging: Use of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar imaging to detect underground soil moisture and infrastructure anomalies.

Data Fusion Techniques: Integrate SAR data with other geospatial information to enhance analysis and decision-making processes.

AI-Driven Capabilities

Predictive Analytics: Leverage AI to predict potential infrastructure failures based on soil moisture and leak detection data.

Automated Reporting: Generate automated reports and visualizations to support decision-making and resource allocation.

Leadership Team

James Perry

Position: Chief Executive Officer

Professional Background: Extensive experience in leading technology companies, with a focus on innovation and market expansion.

Key Contributions: Guided Asterra through significant growth and technological advancements, establishing a strong global presence.

Lauren Guy

Position: Chief Technology Officer & Founder

Professional Background: Geophysicist and entrepreneur with expertise in satellite technology and remote sensing.

Key Contributions: Developed the core technology for Asterra, leading to the company's foundation and initial product offerings.

Gadi Kovarsky

Position: General Manager, Revenue

Professional Background: Experience in business development and revenue generation within the technology sector.

Key Contributions: Oversees revenue operations, driving sales strategies and partnerships to fuel company growth.

Yuval Lorig

Position: Vice President of Research & Development

Professional Background: Background in engineering and product development, with a focus on geospatial technologies.

Key Contributions: Leads R&D efforts, fostering innovation and the development of new products and features.

John Lee

Position: Vice President of Marketing

Professional Background: Expertise in marketing strategy and brand development within the technology industry.

Key Contributions: Drives marketing initiatives, enhancing brand visibility and market penetration.

Inon Aviad, CPA

Position: Vice President of Finance

Professional Background: Certified public accountant with experience in financial management and strategic planning.

Key Contributions: Manages financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and supporting strategic growth.

Michal Katzir

Position: Vice President of People

Professional Background: Details not provided.

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