This move is part of the Group’s external growth strategy, which aims to explore new high-potential sectors, also through investments and partnerships with innovative start-ups. A joint initiative that combines technology scouting with R&D is now under way to identify new applications in the aerospace industry
SACMI enters the Space Economy, continuing its strategy of development and diversification into new sectors with high growth potential. Just a few days ago, SACMI formalized its stake in 2NDSpace, a specialized designer and manufacturer of satellites and their components.
Founded by aerospace engineers Niccolò Bellini, Stefano Naldi and Davide Rastelli - later joined by Riccardo Carlini - 2NDSpace is a well-established player in the New Space Economy: at present, more than 100 of its systems are in orbit and their customer base comprises more than 50 international clients. Moreover, the company has participated in more than 15 European and international satellite missions, both private and public, including missions sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Thanks to extensive direct experience in the industry, its team has a wide range of electronics, aerospace, and mechanical skills. The start-up’s early growth was in the nanosatellite segment: this concerns small platforms weighing up to 35 kg, mainly used for scientific missions, observation and technology demonstration.
Following initial contact with SACMI, a roadmap was drawn up to analyze opportunities in the Space Economy and identify potential technological synergies with the Group.
Today, 2NDSpace is set to expand into the smallSAT segment, which involves systems of greater size, value and complexity (weighing approximately 150 kg): systems for which the company has seen growing demand. “This scale-up,” explains Davide Rastelli, “requires new resources, expertise and organizational capabilities. It means creating an additional, specialized team and building on the work already done in the existing segment.”
As the company enters this crucial second phase, SACMI has acquired a stake in 2NDSpace, joining a new corporate structure that places it side by side with the founding partners. While designed to bolster the company’s growth, this investment also sees 2NDSpace retain full managerial and operational autonomy. In parallel, it gives the Group direct access to the expertise, relationships and opportunities of a high-tech industrial ecosystem. It should also be noted that the company has a new facility in Imola, in via Giacomo Brodolini 10A.
“For SACMI, this investment provides a vantage point and privileged access to the Space Economy, its supply chains and its key players,” points out Paolo Mongardi, President of SACMI. “We’ve chosen to invest in a young company with acknowledged expertise and an already-established market presence. Now, that company is on the cusp of a new phase of expansion. At the same time, this transaction gives us the opportunity to see where SACMI’s technological assets can generate new industrial opportunities.”
According to estimates, the global Space Economy could be worth €1,800 billion by 2035, with average annual growth rates of around 9%. The direction and scope of the space industry aligns with SACMI’s existing expertise: automation, robotics, vision and control systems, advanced materials and ceramic, composite and powder processing are just some of the fields in which the Group is exploring potential aerospace applications.
That vision is shared by the partners at 2NDSpace: “Thanks to targeted technology transfer processes, this growing market will increasingly involve businesses from different sectors,” says Stefano Naldi. “In this endeavor, 2NDSpace will provide direct knowledge of the supply chain and the market, helping SACMI focus research on applications of the greatest industrial potential.”
In turn, this process benefits 2NDSpace as it will be able to count on Group-developed expertise and technological assets. Niccolò Bellini explains: “2NDSpace is already a solid enterprise, with significant revenues and operations underpinned by business contracts. Nevertheless, this partnership will open up new avenues in additional fields of the space sector, beyond the nano- and micro-satellite sector where most of our work is currently concentrated.” “We’re at the start of a project we intend to develop gradually, with a sharp focus on industrial practicality,” concludes Paolo Mongardi. “We aim to start with the expertise already in our possession and align it with actual market needs. Partnering with 2NDSpace will allow us to work alongside people with in-depth knowledge of this sector and build experience, relationships and projects capable of generating new opportunities.”
In 2027, SACMI aims to launch new aerospace R&D projects with 2NDSpace, selected on the basis of technical feasibility, market demand and industrial potential. A working group with know-how in technology, research, and market analysis will be tasked with matching the needs of the aerospace industry with the Group’s technological capabilities. At the same time, SACMI will strengthen ties with the Space Economy ecosystem through industry events, associations and missions, and through collaboration with research centers, institutions and industry players.
This initiative could also lead to new partnerships with other start-ups and pioneering enterprises working in complementary Space Economy segments, gradually expanding the pool of expertise and technologies available to the Group.