Skylo: Why We Invested

‍

By Kasper Sage, Samantha Huang, and Allen Chen

Non-terrestrial Networks (NTNs) extend wireless connectivity to places that lack connectivity to traditional terrestrial networks, enabling people in areas without cellular coverage to stay connected wherever they are in the world. The NTN industry is a fragile yet interdependent ecosystem, where each player is highly dependent on the other for market access and generating new revenue streams, analogous to how the terrestrial telecommunications industry works today.

Until recently, there have been barriers between satellite and terrestrial connectivity, making it cumbersome to connect anything, anywhere. First, connected devices today only connect to cellular networks (except Apple/Globalstar), making global coverage impossible because it is not economically feasible to put cell towers in every part of the world. Second, NTN approaches to date require a large antenna installation at the endpoint, which is physically impossible for small devices like smartphones.

The answer: a software-only solution

Enter Skylo, the only NTN provider with a ready-to-ship solution that enables Direct-to-Device (DTD) communications. With Skylo’s technology, connected devices never lose connectivity because they can switch seamlessly between terrestrial and satellite-based networks.

We are excited to participate in the company’s recent $37 million equity round, led by Intel Capital and Innovation Endeavors and joined by Next47, Samsung Catalyst Fund, and Seraphim Space. The raise brings Skylo’s total equity fundraising to $153 million, with prior investors including SoftBank and DCM.

A true disrupter

Devices enabled with Skylo’s software technology do not require any additional new hardware and can communicate directly with satellite networks where there are gaps in coverage. Skylo’s technology enables mobile network operators (MNOs), like Verizon and T-Mobile, and device makers to extend coverage to smartphone and IoT devices outside of areas not covered by current terrestrial networks, so such devices never lose connectivity.

Skylo is enabled on 90% of chips on the market, including Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, and Sony. These partnerships are critical because chipmakers, by integrating Skylo IP/software on the chip, enable Skylo’s technology to operate without the requirement of hardware installation in the end device.

At BMW i Ventures, we back disruptive technologies that redefine industries. Skylo has been working towards the day when the lines between satellite and terrestrial connectivity are finally erased and devices are always connected. Skylo has been able to entrench itself in the industry due to its superior network performance capabilities, setting the gold standard in NTN communications. It has developed a robust patent portfolio of 88+ patents that covers essential networking functions to ensure high performance of the network. Unlike competing alternatives, the company’s approach does not require new satellites to be launched in space, any modifications to cellular devices, or the acquisition of any new spectrum. For Skylo’s partners, this means that they can rapidly bring new solutions to market today.

A stellar team

Skylo is led by an outstanding founding team, each with their respective, complementary strengths across product, operations, and engineering. The team includes: CEO and Co-Founder Parthsarathi Trivedi, an aerospace engineer who has led multiple missions and aerospace projects at MIT; Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder Tarun Gupta, who formerly was Head of Strategy and Operations for Google Fiber; CTO and Co-Founder Andrew Nuttall, who is the technology visionary and brains behind Skylo; and CFO Jarad Backland, who was previously VP of Finance and Operations at the startup Bright, Finance Director at Facebook, and a controller at Google.