Akash Systems, Inc., focused on resolving the explosive growth of data consumption by enabling smarter and lighter satellite systems, has raised $3.1 million and closed its seed round funding for its GaN-on-Diamond technology.
Led by Khosla Ventures, the seed round also included Social Capital, Data Collective, Ruvento Ventures, Sriram Krishnan, and Backstage Capital. The funding will allow Akash to further its mission of reimagining tomorrow's communication systems by developing the next generation of small satellites and the components that power them.
"Today's worldwide data demand is outpacing the bandwidth and power capabilities of our current communication infrastructure," said Co-founder, CEO and GaN-on-Diamond Inventor Felix Ejeckam.
"We have the technology and innovation to look beyond current satellite systems in order to enable the design of small satellite (Cubesat) systems and subsystems in the very near future," Ejeckam continued.
With clarity on the limitations of existing satellite capacity and networks, Akash has set out to revolutionize the future of fast, affordable satellite communications using gallium nitride (GaN)-on-Diamond technology.
Akash's patented GaN-on-Diamond science is enabling smaller, lighter and higher performing satellites that will pave the way to lower launch costs, reduced cost-per-bit, more launch cycles, and increased communications access and throughput.
"Technology is all around us, and the constant use of communication strains our satellite infrastructure more each year," said Sven Strohband, partner at Khosla Ventures. "Akash Systems is here to revolutionize satellite communications by creating high-performance components to get ahead of current satellite limitations such as heat generation and efficient cooling."
Creating this future begins with Akash's high-performance components - phase one of their business approach - which includes GaN-on-Diamond MMIC Power Amplifiers that are currently on the market. Akash plans to move into phase two, working with satellite system makers to design small satellite (Cubesat) systems and their transmitters by 2019.
Akash was founded in 2016 by Felix Ejeckam and Ty Mitchell, is focused on developing and supplying the next generation of small satellites (CubeSats), and the RF Power Amplifiers that power them. A pioneering new material, GaN-on-Diamond, is at the heart of the company's RF technology and products.
