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| Bill Gates supports the manufacturer of the Kymeta satellite antenna |
Satellite antenna maker Kymeta announced that it has closed a new round of critical fundraising led by Bill Gates as the startup plans to increase manufacturing and sales of its portable products.
"The problem our customers want to solve is a highly reliable broadband service," CEO Doug Hutchson told CNBC.
The startup raised $ 85.2 million in its most recent financing round, including $ 78.5 million from Gates.
Since its inception in 2012, the company has raised nearly $ 300 million to date, including investments from Lux Capital, Intelsat and Liberty Global.
The company's flagship is an electronically aligned flat screen satellite antenna that aims to replace tracking technology for satellite dishes in mobile satellites, but it can also be connected to cellular networks.
Kymeta said the product appears to be filling the gap in connecting satellite networks to Earth: Another antenna that is not durable enough to support mobility.
The U8 Station is the newest antenna from Kymeta. The company is expected to start marketing the product later this year.
Describing U8 as a transformative product in the telecom industry, Hutchson said: It is the only product of its kind in U8 that can be connected to various satellites such as ViaSat in geosynchronous orbit and the closest distance in SpaceX, which is a small Starlink satellite. Low Earth Orbit.
“By using a super flat screen, the technology can provide satellite communications without moving parts,” Hutchinson said.
Earlier this month, Kymeta acquired Lepton Global Solutions, a communications network via satellite, and Kymeta said it will work to improve its services connectivity.
Kymeta has approximately 200 employees and hopes that this number will increase steadily over the next year.
Gates (Kimita) invested in 2016. Hutchinson called him a patient investor. He said: I think Bill believes we have the right technology, designed so that we can change and use the way we think at any time. Types of communication.
The company said that the average retail price for the Kimita plant is $ 30,000. (Kymeta Connect) options are also available. Monthly fees start at $ 995 including hardware. Software and communication services.