The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds, the direct investment program of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Investment Division, has made a follow-on investment in Alexandria, Va.-based SCOUT. SCOUT is the developer of systems to give spacecraft vision, and de-risk the space ecosystem. Since its initial CIT GAP Funds investment in June 2020, SCOUT has continued to grow, meeting their fundraising and technical milestones while engaging in strategic partnerships with satellite industry players. The startup will use this latest investment to support initial pilots as well as research and development into systems to enable better in-space situational awareness.

SCOUT was founded in 2019 following the loss of one of our own satellites to unknown causes. Our mission is to give spacecraft the ability to see and avoid potential threats. SCOUT's passive sensor hardware and control software enhances resolution of space objects by up to 1000 times, enabling on-board vision, detection, and avoidance. The company is a Techstars and venture-backed startup, and a 2020 MassChallenge Gold Winner. For more information, visit www.scout.space