Flat panel satellite antenna company Kymeta has announced that it has agreed a deal to recapitalise the company, raising additional funding of approximately $85 million led by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Mr Gates was an existing Kymeta investor, having been involved in multiple earlier investment rounds since the company was launched as an independent venture in 2012. The latest funding round also included members of the company’s leadership team, who personally invested approximately $1 million.
Kymeta has recently expanded its portfolio to offer satellite and cellular connectivity options with its electronically steered flat panel antenna platform, with 2 GHz support across the Ku-Band and integrated hybrid satellite-cellular hardware available.
“As a company, we’re just scratching the surface of how powerful hybrid satellite-cellular communications can be when combined with an affordable electronically steered flat panel antenna offered to the global land mobility ecosystem,” said Doug Hutcheson, Executive Chairman, Kymeta, and a personal participant in the funding round.
“Having the continued support of Bill Gates will help us execute our vision even more rapidly and broadly – and with the benefit of experience, perspective and relationships of a leading and highly successful technology backer.”
