A model of SkyFi's turnkey communication system: the nano satellite pictured is approx 30 centimeters in length and 10 by 10 in cross section. The antenna (dish) is 55cm in diameter.
“The high flexibility of our nano satellites and the ability to provide multiple services to different customers enables us to offer free internet access to the whole planet in the same manner as GPS services are free.
Tel Aviv, Israel (PRWEB) February 25, 2016
(Tel Aviv - February 25th, 2016) Israeli startup SkyFi unveiled new technology at the Microsoft Think Next event in Tel Aviv today that can bring the web everywhere and connect people across the world.
Universal Internet access has been unfeasible due to current satellite technology, which makes satellites costly to launch, prone to operational error, and thus financially risky for those who send them into space.
SkyFi’s innovation revolves around a flexible sub-reflector that compensates for any reflector shape imperfections. This does away with expensive, poor performing satellites by enabling a nano satellite to be sent into space with a 55cm diameter antenna folded up, greatly reducing launch load and costs. Once in orbit, the satellite’s antenna expands and the proprietary flexible sub-reflector enhances transmitting precision and power by as much as 500x.
Putting 60 such satellites into space using SkyFi technology would bring internet connectivity to the entire globe and would be less expensive than the current cost of putting one satellite into space.
Such a constellation of satellites would enable 1 gigabit per second communication bandwidth from anywhere on the planet. Moreover, SkyFi’s technology allows satellite owners to change the pattern of coverage on Earth while a satellite is in orbit, something that has not been possible to date.
“The high flexibility of our nano satellites and the ability to provide multiple services to different customers enables us to offer free internet access to the whole planet in the same manner as GPS services are free. We think this has the potential to bridge great divides and give everyone worldwide a part in the great global connected community,” said Raz Itzhaki Tamir, Co-Founder and CEO of SkyFi.
SkyFi’s staff of aerospace engineers has several decades of combined experience working on both nano satellites and space antennae design. Members of the team have filed over 20 patents combined, and have worked at Israeli Aerospace Industries, RaySat Broadcasting and Gilat Satellite Network, among others.
"The advancements in materials together with high end mechanics and algorithms have enabled us to design an unprecedented communication system," said Daniel Rockberger, Co-Founder and COO of SkyFi.
Based in Tel Aviv, SkyFi recently raised a $3 million investment round led by Jerusalem Venture Partners (“JVP”), one of Israel’s leading Venture Capital Firms. Liberty Israel Venture Fund, a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, also participated in the round.
“We’re impressed with SkyFi’s strong team and see the huge potential of this disruptive technology. We envision a great future for this company and are very excited to have led a significant round of investment in them” said Raffi Kesten, JVP Managing Partner.
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ABOUT SkyFi
SkyFi (formerly known as NSL Comm) is an Israel based company that has developed patented technology to reduce the cost of putting satellites into orbit and greatly enhance link bandwidth, enabling 1 gigabit per second communications from anywhere on Earth. The key components of SkyFi’s solution are an expandable antenna that is deployed in space and a flexible sub reflector that compensates for any reflector shape imperfections. The technology allows satellite owners to change the pattern of coverage on Earth while a satellite is in orbit. Co-Founders are Raz Itzhaki Tamir (CEO), Daniel Rockberger (COO) and Danny Spirtus (CTO). This group of space engineers has worked with Israeli Aerospace Industries, RaySat Broadcasting and Gilat Satellite Network, among other, and has lectured at the International Space University. SkyFi’s customers include aerospace, defense, and commercial satellite and spacecraft developers.
ABOUT JVP
Jerusalem Venture Partners (“JVP”) is an internationally renowned venture capital fund based in Israel. Established in 1993 by Member of Knesset, Dr. Erel Margalit, JVP has raised to date over $1 billion and has been ranked as one of the top-ten consistently performing VC firms in the world. JVP has built over 120 companies, leveraging a broad network of partners and market expertise to help companies to become global market leaders. JVP has enjoyed 29 notable exists – 12 IPOs and 17 M&As – for a total transaction value of more than $20bn. JVP’s current investment focus includes cyber security, big data, enterprise software, next-generation storage, mobile and IoT. JVP invests in all stages, from seed to late stage transaction and is renowned for its hands-on approach and strong ties to a host of industry leading companies.
ABOUT LIBERTY ISRAEL
Liberty Israel Venture Fund, LLC (“Liberty Israel”), a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LMCA, LMCB, LMCK), invests primarily in start-up Israeli technology companies. Liberty Israel focuses on a broad range of technology applications relevant to the media and telecommunications industry. Recent investments include companies focused on cyber-security, e-commerce, the internet-of-things and the connected-car. Liberty Media Corporation operates and owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including its subsidiaries SiriusXM and Braves Holdings, LLC, its interest in Live Nation Entertainment, and minority equity investments in Time Warner Inc. and Viacom. For more information regarding Liberty Israel, please email info(at)libertyisrael(dot)vc. For inquiries regarding Liberty Media Corporation, please contact Investor Relations at 720-875-5420.