Pioneering Stratospheric Solutions
Innovating Above the Clouds
Involve Space, a startup founded in 2021 by Jonathan Polotto and Claudio Piazzai, is transforming Earth observation and data-relay services with reusable High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). Their quantum-inspired division, qool, launched in 2024 by Claudio and Fabio Piazzai, Raoul Vetere, and Italo Robello, powers fleet optimization. “CASSINI’s support turned our bold ideas into reality,” says Claudio Piazzai, COO and qool lead.
The Challenge
Traditional satellites are costly and less flexible for real-time monitoring. Involve’s Stratostats® platforms, paired with qool’s Neurostar® v3 software, use Copernicus data and quantum-inspired algorithms to deliver affordable, near-real-time insights for infrastructure, security, and environmental monitoring. Their 2024 CASSINI Challenge win in the Ideas track for qool’s quantum routing concept earned €10,000 and six months of mentoring. A CASSINI environmental monitoring demonstrator validated their Stratorelay platform, mapping 1,500 km² in 18 hours for municipal clients.
Measurable Wins and Growing Impact
Involve’s achievements are impressive. Quantitatively, they secured €1.3 million—€0.3 million from CASSINI and ESA’s QC4EO grant, plus €1 million from Earlybird, CDP VC, and Innowwide. They’ve completed 30+ paid pilot missions and 100+ engineering flights across three European test ranges. Their Stratorelay mapped 1,500 km² with 95% accuracy, and qool’s Neurostar® v3 cut constellation routing time from 11 days to under one hour using quantum annealing.
Qualitatively, Involve has built credibility through partnerships with IBM Quantum, Saab, and Houston Spaceport, where they launched a Stratostats® to 26 km in January 2025. Their CASSINI Hackathon mentoring role and presentations at global events like the Wallenberg Centre workshop elevated their profile. The team grew to 19, adding expertise from advisors like former Google Loon CEO Alastair Westgarth.
EUSPA’s CASSINI programme was instrumental. The 2024 Challenge win provided €10,000 and mentorship from E. Désiré Nzengou, refining qool’s quantum approach. Selection for the CASSINI Business Accelerator (Batch 5, June–November 2025) offered investor matchmaking and go-to-market coaching, aligning with their €10–15 million Series A round. The demonstrator ensured Stratorelay met client needs, driving contracts with municipalities.
Why It Matters and What’s Next
Involve’s solutions address critical needs: cost-effective, real-time monitoring for climate and infrastructure challenges. Their platforms support EU Green Deal goals, enhancing resilience against environmental risks. This success has spurred growth, with five new hires and U.S. market entry via a €60,000 Innowwide grant.
Next, Involve plans a five-balloon LoonHive® constellation by 2026, powered by Neurostar® v3. They’re exploring quantum-enhanced data-relay services and aim to expand into Asia. “We’re making space data accessible to solve Earth’s challenges,” Piazzai says.
Learn more at Involve Space.
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