Google X and former leader of Project Loon, Tom Chi, has made a strategic investment in Near Space Labs and joined the company as a board observer, marking a major endorsement for the high-altitude robotics startup. Chi’s involvement brings deep expertise in stratospheric systems and a proven track record of scaling breakthrough technologies.
At Google X, Chi led Project Loon, deploying internet-beaming balloons in the stratosphere to provide connectivity to rural and underserved areas. The project achieved notable milestones, including laser-based data transmission, mesh networking in the sky, and the launch of the world’s first balloon-powered internet service in Kenya. He also contributed to Google X initiatives such as self-driving cars and Google Glass, growing teams from 8 to 250 people and securing 75 patents in areas ranging from autonomous robotics to nanosecond-level control systems.
“Near Space Labs has achieved what many in the stratospheric technology field have long pursued – making high-altitude robotics economically viable at commercial scale,” Chi said. “Their work combines engineering excellence with operational execution and has the potential to redefine entire industries.”
Rema Matevosyan, CEO and co-founder of Near Space Labs, welcomed Chi’s participation, noting that his experience navigating complex stratospheric challenges is invaluable. “Having navigated similar problem sets at Project Loon, Tom understands exactly what it takes to scale an innovation like ours into a sustainable, market-defining business,” she said.
Near Space Labs is expanding its Swift robot network across the U.S., delivering high-frequency Earth observation to Fortune 500 insurers and other mission-critical organizations. Chi’s backing arrives at a pivotal moment as commercial demand grows for precise climate and environmental monitoring.
