Near Space Labs nabs $20M to take its high-res imaging Swift robots into the stratosphere

When it comes to creating images of the earth from above, satellites, drones and planes are the air and spacecraft that tend to come to mind. But a startup called Near Space Labs is taking a very different approach to high-resolution photos from up high. It’s building aircraft that are raised by helium balloons and then rely on currents to stay up, move around to take pictures from the stratosphere, and eventually glide back down to earth. On the back of significant traction with customers using Near Space’s images, the startup has raised $20 million to expand its business. Bold Capital Partners (the firm founded by Peter Diamandis of XPRIZE and Singularity University fame), is leading the Series B round, with strategic backer USAA (the U.S. Automobile Association) participating alongside Climate Capital, Gaingels, River Park Ventures, and previous backers Crosslink Capital, Third Sphere, Draper Associates, and others that are not being named. Near Space has now raised over $40 milli ... Read full article.