Astranis joined the Unicorn Club on April 14, 2021, marking its entry into billion-dollar valuation territory through innovation in satellite-based internet connectivity. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States, Astranis develops compact, low-cost telecommunication satellites that operate in geostationary orbit to deliver affordable broadband to underserved and remote regions.
Its technology helps bridge the digital divide by rapidly deploying internet access in rural areas, islands, and indigenous communities worldwide.
Keep reading to learn how Astranis became a $1.6B pioneer in small satellite communications and space-based connectivity.
What Is Astranis and What Does It Do?
Founded in 2015, Astranis builds small geostationary satellites designed to deliver low-cost internet connectivity. Unlike traditional large satellites, Astranis focuses on smaller spacecraft with dedicated bandwidth for specific regions, significantly reducing the cost and deployment time for broadband infrastructure.
The company’s satellites use proprietary radio-frequency technology and a vertically integrated approach, designing, building, and operating satellites in-house to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity for telecom operators and governments.
How Much Funding Has Astranis Raised?
1. Series D Round
- Amount Raised: $200 million
- Date: July 24, 2024
- Lead Investors: Fidelity Investments, Baillie Gifford
- Purpose: Scale satellite production, expand internet coverage, and strengthen manufacturing capabilities
2. Earlier Rounds (Seed to Series C)
- Cumulative Funding: ~$553 million
- Key Backers: Andreessen Horowitz, Venrock, BlackRock
- Purpose: Satellite R&D, launch costs, and network operations
Total Funding Raised: ~$753 million
Latest Funding Date: July 24, 2024
Latest Known Valuation: ~$1.6 billion
Employee Count: 302 (as of December 31, 2023)
Key Investors
1. Fidelity Investments
- Details: One of the largest global investment firms, managing a broad portfolio across public and private markets.
- Focus Areas: Space technology, telecommunications, and next-generation infrastructure.
2. Baillie Gifford
- Details: Global investment management firm known for supporting high-growth, innovation-driven companies.
- Focus Areas: Aerospace, satellite communications, and advanced hardware systems.
Where Is Astranis’s Headquarters?
Astranis is headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States, where it designs and builds its small GEO satellites, overseeing development, integration, and testing under one roof.
What’s Next for Astranis?
Astranis aims to deploy a constellation of regional satellites to deliver affordable internet coverage to billions currently without reliable access. The company is advancing next-generation payload technology to increase satellite throughput and accelerate global partnerships with telecom providers.
As space-based internet infrastructure evolves, Astranis is poised to play a pivotal role in bridging the global digital divide with scalable, cost-effective satellite connectivity.
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