Kymeta Corporation has announced the recapitalization of the company along with the successful funding raise of approximately $85 million, led by Bill Gates with members of the leadership team personally investing approximately $1 million led by Executive Chairman, Doug Hutcheson.
Kymeta™ continues to strengthen and accelerate new product development and commercialization for satellite and cellular communications globally. Meeting the needs of current and future customers drives new product innovation and market development and are key areas of focus for Kymeta.
The financing builds on an extraordinary 18 month period for Kymeta, which saw a rapidly growing influx of new customers, the appointment of key executives, new product releases and market momentum in the areas of defense, public safety and land mobility. Kymeta’s channel network grew to include over one hundred reseller partners and several defense and commercial customers around the globe.
The new u8 terminal paired with Kymeta’s hybrid satellite-cellular connectivity services, Kymeta Connect™, transforms the purchase and consumption of mobile data with an all-inclusive hardware, connectivity and services monthly subscription. The Kymeta™ u8 is the world’s only commercially available flat panel electronically steered antenna built specifically for mobility and designed for the needs of military, first responders and commercial customers.
Key features and benefits of the Kymeta u8 terminal and Kymeta Connect platform also include 2 GHz support across the full Ku-Band, improved performance and efficiency which translates into lower total cost of ownership, integrated hybrid satellite-cellular hardware for always-on connectivity and turnkey Kymeta Connect options that include hardware, connectivity and service with affordable purchasing options.
Executive Comment
“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. “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.”
Additionally, the company announced the Kymeta™ u8 terminal beta trial program with select partners and customers globally, such as DoD/MoD contractors and end-users, satellite service providers, and commercial resellers, bringing Kymeta one step closer to the market launch of the Kymeta u8, planned for the fourth quarter of 2020.
The Kymeta u8 electronically steered terminal has been redesigned for ease of use and improved performance over previous versions of Kymeta’s signature flat-panel antenna. The advanced u8 antenna supports global land mobility, covering the full Ku-band with improved efficiency. The Kymeta u8 terminal offers a low-profile form factor with native DC power input for easy integration into mobile platforms.
What makes the u8 unique in the market is the integrated satellite and cellular modems for a multi-WAN configuration offering seamless hybrid satellite/cellular connectivity. Along with the new terminal, Kymeta is also beta trialing its new Kymeta Connect™ suite of services offerings, making connectivity as easy as buying a wireless plan.
Together, the two create a complete turnkey solution for public safety, DoD/MoD, enterprise, and other markets requiring always-on on-the-go communications. In addition to the plug-and-play u8 terminal, the u8 antenna is designed for integrators to create customized mobile satellite terminals with flexible integration to meet a variety of use cases.
Prior to the beta trials with customers and partners, Kymeta conducted its own u8 terminal prototype trials with test drives from Washington DC to Redmond, WA. During the trials, the Kymeta u8 terminal achieved 100% connectivity on the move with line of sight, meaning the vehicle maintained 100% internet connectivity, with either satellite or cellular connection, validating the hybrid solution for continuous and seamless connectivity. The remarkable results of the prototype trials are available for download from the Kymeta website.
“We are excited to bring our customers the new u8 terminal, paired with Kymeta Connect services and support, for a fully managed, optimized, and easy to use blended service,” said David Harrower, Sr. Vice President of Global Sales, Kymeta. “It is a complete solution that will be very attractive to companies who need predictable OPEX pricing for their regional mobile connectivity services. We believe this is an industry game changer that will provide mobile connectivity in all parts of the world.”
