[Press Release] Space Shift and Taiwan’s MacroMicro Sign MOU to Jointly Explore the Use of Satellite Data in Finance
– Combining Space Shift’s satellite data analytics with MacroMicro’s expertise in macroeconomic analysis, the two companies will assess, in light of market needs, the potential for delivering new insights to financial institutions and investors –
Space Shift, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naruo Kanemoto; hereinafter “Space Shift”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MacroMicro Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based provider of financial and macroeconomic data, with the aim of jointly exploring the potential for using satellite data in the financial sector.
Satellite data is a source of information that can capture physical changes actually taking place on the ground, over wide areas and on a continuous basis. Space Shift believes that combining this satellite-derived change data with MacroMicro’s financial and macroeconomic data and analytical expertise could lead to new information of value to market participants. This MOU marks the starting point for testing that potential against actual market needs.
■ Growing Interest in “Alternative Data” in the Financial Sector
In investment and economic analysis, the use of alternative data is expanding alongside traditional data such as corporate financial information and official economic statistics. Alternative data refers to data that captures the reality of economic activity from a different angle; examples include location data, payment data, and information on the web.
Among these, satellite data has characteristics that other data sources do not.
- Objectivity
Without relying on announcements by companies or governments, satellites can directly observe physical changes on the ground from a third-party perspective. - Coverage
Because wide areas can be observed at once, countries and regions can be compared on the same basis. - Continuity and retrospectivity
The same location can be observed repeatedly, and changes can also be traced back through accumulated historical archive data.
In particular, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites observe the Earth’s surface using radio waves, allowing them to acquire data unaffected by clouds or darkness. Because they can continue fixed-point observation regardless of weather, they are attracting attention as a well-suited means of tracking change.
At the same time, there are challenges to actually using satellite data in finance. Vast amounts of observation data must be analyzed and translated into an economic context that market participants can understand. This partnership is also an effort to bridge the gap between “satellite data” and “the financial context.”
■ Why Space Shift and MacroMicro
In finance, the use of data that captures the reality of economic activity from a different angle (alternative data) is expanding alongside financial and market data. Satellite data is being considered for such uses as a source of information capable of continuously observing changes on the ground across wide areas.
Space Shift is a company that uses AI to analyze Earth observation data from SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and optical satellites to visualize changes and risks on the ground. It captures physical changes on the ground over wide areas, such as the construction and demolition of buildings, changes at facilities, and the movement of vessels.
MacroMicro operates a global financial and macroeconomic data platform, combining proprietary data infrastructure, macroeconomic research, data visualization, and AI-powered analysis to help investors and businesses understand economic and market developments.
Space Shift captures “physical changes on the ground,” while MacroMicro brings “the financial and macroeconomic context” and “expertise in serving financial institutions.” By working together, the two companies can test—against real market needs—whether satellite data can go beyond analysis and be turned into information usable in the financial sector. This is the core of the partnership.
■ Strengths of the Two Companies
Space Shift
Space Shift uses AI to analyze data from SAR and optical satellites, capturing physical changes on the ground over wide areas, such as the construction and demolition of buildings, changes at facilities, and the movement of vessels. Since its founding in 2009, it has built up expertise in fields such as disaster prevention, urban development, agriculture, and maritime monitoring. It will handle satellite data analysis and the provision of satellite-derived ground-change information and data, and will explore use cases applicable to finance.
MacroMicro
MacroMicro operates a data platform that brings together global economic and financial data, supported by macroeconomic analysis and research. It presents data through easy-to-understand visualizations for investors and companies around the world. It will provide macroeconomic data, analytical expertise, and customer relationships in different verticals, and will explore the potential for combining these with Space Shift’s data.
What the Two Companies Aim to Achieve Together
The value of satellite data is not fully realized through observation and analysis alone. Value is created only when the meaning of those changes for the economy is interpreted and delivered to those who need it. Space Shift will take on the role of “capturing and interpreting changes on the ground,” while MacroMicro will focus on macroeconomic and financial analysis. The two companies will also explore mutual introductions and joint marketing activities, with the aim of raising awareness of how satellite-derived information may complement financial and macroeconomic perspectives. Through this, the companies aim to establish a framework that can validate the entire process, from observation to information delivery.
■ Space Shift’s Direction
Space Shift aims to organize changes on the ground observed from satellites into information that can be used more widely in the financial sector. It plans to focus on themes that may indicate trends in economic activity and shape them into forms that meet market needs, and will verify this potential through market validation with MacroMicro.
■ Next Steps
The two companies will first confirm market needs for the use of satellite data and, starting with areas where demand is expected, consider concrete initiatives such as data provision and validation. Through this partnership, Space Shift will broaden dialogue with financial institutions, investors, and data providers, and explore the use of satellite data in the financial sector.
■ About Space Shift
Founded in December 2009, Space Shift is a satellite data analytics company. Under the theme “Sense the Unseen from Orbit” (making every change on Earth recognizable), it uses AI to analyze Earth observation data from SAR and optical satellites to visualize changes and risks on the ground in fields such as disaster prevention, urban development, agriculture, and maritime monitoring.
Company name: Space Shift, Inc.
Representative: Naruo Kanemoto, CEO
Founded: December 2009
Head office: Inspired.Lab, Otemachi Building 6F, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Business: Development of satellite data analysis systems, satellite data analysis services, and research and consulting related to the space industry
URL: https://www.spcsft.com/en/
■ About MacroMicro
Company name: MacroMicro Co., Ltd.
Head office: 19F., No. 555, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao East Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110, Taiwan
Representative: Chia-Ju Chen (Rachel), CEO
Founded: 2016
Business: Provision and analysis of financial and macroeconomic data, research, and data-driven analytical solutions
Users / customers: More than 600,000 registered users worldwide and more than 100 leading companies across a range of industries
URL: https://macromicro.me/
Media Inquiries Regarding This Release
Space Shift, Inc. Public Relations: sales@spcsft.com
MacroMicro Co., Ltd.: business@macromicro.me
* Product names, company names, and organization names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
