At LEAP 2025, Telecom Review had the opportunity to sit down with Hassan Aljohani, VP of Business Development, Neo Space Group Geospatial, and discuss Neo Space Group’s ambitious vision for the space industry and its evolving role in geospatial innovation.
From the launch of its marketplace in 2025 to advancements in satellite services and venture capital investments in space technologies, Neo Space Group is making bold moves and shaping the future of geospatial intelligence and space technology.
Following the acquisition of UP42, how does Neo Space Group intend to enhance its geospatial data offerings and integrate them into existing services?
Neo Space Group is on a mission to become the Saudi Arabian national champion in the space industry and aspires to establish a strong and impactful presence in global markets. Our strategy centers around building a comprehensive value chain of geospatial services and data, enabling us to create value and deliver uniquely impactful services to government and business clients in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
NSG’s geospatial division, one of the Group’s 4 divisions, is committed to deliver value across the Geospatial chain. From acquiring Earth observation satellites to supply critical raw data to our clients, VAS providers and to our data factor, through to geospatial services that deliver insights that elevate the speed, accuracy and impact of decision making. In this value chain, the acquisition of UP42 serves as the missing link, introducing to organizations in Saudi Arabia and beyond a marketplace where businesses and government entities can seamlessly access raw data from multiple providers, along with VAS, and data management services all through a one-stop shop; easing and accelerating the process, expanding the range of use cases to be addressed and supporting clients to attain the value they seek from geospatial data, technology and services with high efficiency and effectiveness.
This acquisition is not only a business opportunity; but rather a significant step towards supporting the government’s efforts to build a robust Saudi space industry; a role we proudly play as a PIF company and the national space champion.
How do you see geospatial technology evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what role will Neo Space Group play in this evolution?
I believe developments in space and geospatial technologies have a transformative role in democratizing geospatial services, lowering the barriers and extending the impact clients (large and small) can attain from this industry. Technological advancements in Earth observation assets, data collection and analytics tools and systems are evolving at an unprecedented pace. The rapid evolution of these technologies—particularly in terms of speed, accuracy, and data resolution—will significantly impact the industry moving forward.
On the demand side, clients are shifting their focus from raw data to actionable information and insights. There is a growing need for high-frequency updates—clients want real-time insights, not just data. This push for immediate, actionable intelligence aligns with the rapid technological advancements occurring across the space sector.
I believe these developments will take the space industry in fascinating new directions. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), geospatial services will have an even greater impact. They are capable of enhancing quality of life, protecting the environment, and driving efficiency in projects and programs. Neo Space Group is fully attuned to these advancements.
To fulfill our vision of becoming Saudi Arabia’s space champion, we must stay ahead of both technological developments and market demands, ensuring that we consistently deliver maximum value for our country and the industry as a whole.
Could you elaborate on NSG's approach to integrating AI and machine learning into geospatial solutions?
No one can dispute the remarkable developments taking place in AI and machine learning. We find it interesting to observe the expanding role these technologies play in data processing, image analytics, and object identification. It is exciting to see how AI tools and algorithms are increasingly enhancing efficiency and accuracy, making it easier to automatically detect changes, objects and trends in satellite imagery and data.
We are also witnessing significant advancements in AI-driven analytics, where satellite imagery and data are being leveraged to deliver impactful insights, in near real time. Additionally, one of the most intriguing areas where AI and machine learning are gaining traction is predictive analysis. By identifying patterns and historical trends, AI algorithms can anticipate future developments with growing speed, accuracy, and reliability. Year after year, these capabilities continue to improve, streamlining operations and increasing the efficiency of organizations that rely on advanced analytics to enhance the effectiveness of their programs and objectives. It will be exciting to see what additional insights emerge, what new analytics can be uncovered, and how rapidly and precisely these advancements can be applied.
This field is evolving at an extraordinary pace, and at NSG, we are actively integrating these cutting-edge tools into our ecosystem.
By bringing the most advanced AI-driven solutions to our clients, we ensure they have access to the technology needed to maximize the value they seek.
As private sector investments in space continue to rise, how is Neo Space Group positioning itself to compete with global players in satellite and space tech?
Neo Space Group is uniquely structured and strategically positioned. Unlike typical space companies that focus on a single area—whether it be in the upstream or downstream segment, such as SATCOM, satellite construction, or value-added services—NSG has a broad and multifaceted approach.
We have significant ambitions in SATCOM, having completed multiple acquisitions within this domain, positioning NSG on the global stage. Our geospatial division is set to acquire satellites that provide valuable raw data, alongside a marketplace that grants clients seamless access to geospatial data and VAS, and geospatial services and solutions that solve challenges for organizations in Saudi through local talent and advanced capabilities. Additionally, NSG has a dedicated PNT (positioning, navigation, and timing) division, further diversifying our expertise. Beyond these divisions, we are also committed to fostering innovation through venture capital investments in space industries and emerging technologies.
This unique structure makes NSG an all-encompassing space company, with each division representing a major industry in its own right. We have deliberately designed our organization to ensure that every division has clear priorities, robust backing, and the necessary funding to drive progress. Our goal is to position Saudi Arabia as a key player in the rapidly growing space industry.
This mandate is one we take very seriously. While we actively seek business opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements, we are equally driven by a national mission.
We are committed to developing the necessary capabilities for Saudi Arabia and establishing the country as one of the world’s leading nations in the space industry—sooner rather than later.
What are Neo Space Group’s plans for 2025? What can customers or partners expect from you?
In 2025, the market and our customers can anticipate the launch of our marketplace in Q2. This will revolutionize the way data is procured and how organizations in Saudi Arabia access these services.
Throughout the year, we will also be rolling out a series of new products related to geospatial services, providing clients with an innovative way to acquire real-time insights. By addressing the growing need for spatial intelligence across multiple data sets, we aim to enhance decision-making for our clients. Additionally, we will continue expanding our presence in SATCOM while gaining momentum within the PNT domain.
Exciting developments are unfolding at NSG, and we are just getting started.
2025 will be the year we truly establish our presence in the market and we will not stop there. The immense talent we have, the advanced capabilities we possess and the ambitious vision we are fuelled by ask for nothing less.
