Daria Stepanova is the CEO and Co-founder of AIRMO, a company specializing in innovative solutions for pipeline monitoring and safety. With a strong background in engineering and technology, Daria leads AIRMO in delivering advanced tools that enhance pipeline efficiency, reliability, and environmental compliance, driving the energy industry toward smarter and safer operations.
 

1. Looking back, what was the defining moment that inspired you to co-found AIRMO and step into the role of CEO?

I have been working in the space industry for more than 12 years. I had a great chance to see firsthand how transformative satellite data can be — from improving weather forecasting to enabling global navigation. Yet when it came to climate, and methane in particular, there was a clear bottleneck: actionable data simply wasn’t available at the scale or resolution the industry needed. Neither revisit rates nor sensitivity were sufficient for operators to make decisions. The technology already in orbit was impressive, but one of the most urgent climate challenges — methane — remained largely invisible, with only about 30% of emissions trackable. That’s when I saw the opportunity to apply small-satellite technology to close this gap and unlock one of the fastest and most effective levers for reducing emissions. I stepped into the CEO role because I had the vision and determination to turn that opportunity into reality.
 

2. Moving from an idea to a successful start-up is always challenging. What were the biggest obstacles you faced in the early stages, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacle was credibility. At the beginning, we had only a vision and a prototype on paper — yet we were competing with large incumbents and big-budget research projects. We had to prove that a small, agile team could build something better, faster, and more cost-effective. We overcame this by running campaigns with energy operators and regulators, generating hard evidence that our sensors worked and our insights added value. 
 

3. AIRMO is pioneering innovative solutions for methane detection. What has been the most technically challenging project so far, and how did your team approach it?

The most technically challenging project has been the development of our spectrometer–LiDAR payload, designed to detect methane from space. The real challenge was ensuring that the instruments remained both reliable and highly accurate while keeping costs low enough to make large-scale deployment feasible. To achieve this, we took an iterative approach: starting with space-grade components, then adapting and miniaturizing them for airborne and drone applications. Each step — from lab validation to field campaigns — allowed us to test, refine, and improve performance. This process gave us the confidence that we could deliver precision at a price point that makes global methane monitoring scalable.
 

4. As a female founder in the energy and technology space, how have you established credibility and built strong partnerships in a male-dominated industry?

It’s true, the energy and aerospace and energy sectors are still very male-dominated. For me, credibility has come from focusing on results. Delivering high-quality data, closing contracts with operators, and being invited by regulators to shape policy — these achievements speak louder than stereotypes. At the same time, I’ve been fortunate to find partners and mentors, male and female, who believed in the mission and valued expertise over gender. I also see it as part of my role to make space for more women in this industry and show that leadership can look different.
 

5. How do you balance the demands of being both a leader driving business strategy and a co-founder deeply engaged in technical innovation?

It’s definitely a balancing act. On one hand, I’m responsible for steering AIRMO’s vision, fundraising, and building partnerships. On the other hand, my technical background means I’m still deeply involved in product discussions, from instrument allocation in satellite to mission design. The key for me is having an exceptional team: I trust my CTO, Chief Scientist, and the whole tech team to lead the daily work, while I step in where strategy and technology intersect. That way, I stay close enough to guide innovation, without losing focus on the bigger picture.
 

6. What personal values or habits help you stay motivated in such a demanding role, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for innovation in the pipeline and energy sector over the next decade?

Curiosity and resilience keep me going. I genuinely love learning — whether it’s about laser physics, regulatory frameworks, or customer operations — and that curiosity makes even tough days meaningful. Resilience comes from knowing that climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and that every leak we help prevent has a real-world impact.

Looking ahead, I see enormous opportunities in data-driven transparency. Regulations like the EU Methane Regulation are just the beginning; investors, insurers, and society at large are demanding proof of environmental performance. The companies that succeed will be those who embrace accurate, independent monitoring — and AIRMO is building the infrastructure to make that possible at scale.