blackshark.ai
Blackshark.ai builds AI-powered geospatial intelligence tools, including a 3D digital twin of Earth and a no-code object detection platform. The 70-person Austrian company raised $35M in Series A funding in November 2023.
The growth story
blackshark.ai grew from 52 to 70 employees between 2021 and 2026, raising $35M along the way, most recently a Series A in November 2023.
About
Blackshark.ai develops AI software that analyzes satellite and aerial imagery to create detailed 3D models of Earth's surface and detect objects. Its tools are used for applications like urban planning, defense, and environmental monitoring. The company also offers a no-code platform for training AI models to recognize specific objects in geospatial data.
Founded in 2020, Blackshark.ai has grown to 70 employees and secured $35M in Series A funding in late 2023. Backers include Microsoft's venture fund and Maxar Technologies, a major satellite imagery provider.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is Blackshark.ai's largest function, with 21 employees. The company is led by a team with backgrounds in geospatial technology and AI, though specific leadership details are not available.
The blackshark.ai org chart
Michael Putz (Co-Founder & CEO) leads 18 mapped leaders with 6 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 26 (+4% YoY), Entrepreneurship 9 (+13% YoY), Information Technology 5 (-17% YoY), Business Development 5 (+25% YoY), Human Resources 4 (0% YoY), Media and Communication 4 (0% YoY).
Talent flow
Blackshark.ai draws talent primarily from local tech companies like Bongfish and academic institutions like Technische Universität Graz. Alumni have moved to companies including Canva, Mistral, and Dynatrace.
Most common previous employers of blackshark.ai staff: Bongfish (12), Technische Universität Graz (4), LVT (LiveView Technologies) (3), Nearmap (3), TomTom (2), Trayport (1). Former blackshark.ai employees most often moved to Canva (4), Mistral (4), Dynatrace (3), Huawei (2), Nejo (1), World Data Lab (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The blackshark.ai mafia
Blackshark.ai alumni have founded six companies, including Magenta Telekom, a major Austrian telecom provider with over 1,300 employees, and Nejo, a smaller geospatial analytics startup.
6Thomas Kicker, was COO until 2023Manfred Bauer, MBA, was VP Flight Simulation, ADAS & AD until 2024Patrick Meade, was General Manager North America and Head of Sales until 2022Samir Kumar, was Member Board Of Directors until 2022Simona Huebl, was Member Board of Directors until 2024Nisha Devar, was Product Manager until 2024Web traffic
Traffic mix: 47% direct, 37% search, 5% social, 1% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at blackshark.ai: Python (Programming Language) (22), C++ (20), Project Management (18), Java (17), Software Development (17), JavaScript (14), Scrum (14), Management (13).
Where the team actually sits
blackshark.ai people are concentrated in Styria, Austria (19), Austria (11), Vienna, Austria (5), Zagreb, Croatia (3). 2 offices on record.
Search footprint
blackshark.ai attracts about 44 organic search visits a month. It gained 4 ranking keywords and lost 7 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 3.10 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 3.10 / 5
- Senior management
- 3.20 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 3.90 / 5
Frequently asked
blackshark.ai has 70 employees as of September 2026.
blackshark.ai has raised $35M in total, most recently a Series A round in November 2023.
blackshark.ai was founded in 2020 by Michael Putz, Thomas Richter-Trummer.
Michael Putz (Co-Founder & CEO) sits at the top of blackshark.ai's reporting structure, with 6 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current blackshark.ai staff are Bongfish (12 people), Technische Universität Graz (4 people), LVT (LiveView Technologies) (3 people).
Former blackshark.ai employees most often move to Canva (4), Mistral (4), Dynatrace (3).
At least 6 companies have a founder who previously worked at blackshark.ai, including Magenta Telekom, BBRZ GRUPPE - VEREIN ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER BBRZ GRUPPE, 541 Advisors.
blackshark.ai attracts about 44 organic search visits a month.
The most common skills among blackshark.ai staff are Python (Programming Language), C++, Project Management, Java, Software Development.
blackshark.ai staff are concentrated in Styria, Austria (19), Austria (11), Vienna, Austria (5).
blackshark.ai has about 26 people in Engineering, up 4% over the past year, as of September 2026.
blackshark.ai has about 9 people in Entrepreneurship, up 13% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 54 current and 100 former blackshark.ai profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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