SWISSto12, a provider of telecommunications components for the satellite and aerospace industries, announced the closing of a CHF 18.1M (USD 18.5 Million) Series B financing round led by Swisscanto Invest by Zürcher Kantonalbank, Swisscom Ventures and returning investor Constantia New Business (CNB). This new round will accelerate the company’s industrialization and the commercial deployment of antenna products for communication satellites. The company will also direct the funding toward the introduction of new advanced communication payloads for the SmallSat market as well as continue the expansion of its recently opened offices in the U.S. and Israel. In addition, SWISSto12 will explore first opportunities in terrestrial communications such as 5G.
The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Swisscanto Invest and Swisscom Ventures, which together with CNB which constitute a first-class pool of experienced, global investors, committed to the long-term success of SWISSto12. These major institutional investors will contribute to strengthening a sustainable ramp-up capacity for SWISSto12.
Additive manufacturing (3D-printing) provides a unique opportunity for next-generation equipment onboard communication satellites. With SWISSto12’s innovative solutions, satellite communication operators gain high-performance, lightweight, and highly customizable products, opening a new area in payload engineering. The technology also brings new design and manufacturing possibilities that SWISSto12 has mastered after development and successful space qualification of its patents.
In a very short amount of time, SWISSto12 has convinced the aerospace and satellite communities of its high level of expertise and its ability to deliver on the promise of space ready, 3D-printed radio frequency communication products. As the company also moves into the SmallSat and constellation markets, SWISSto12 is the market leader, providing high-performing and versatile antenna payload products based on their mastery of additive manufacturing technology. Their expertise, innovative processes, and customer focus combines to make SWISSto12 an engineering thought-leader in this space.
A 3D-printed monolithic feed chain from SWISSto12
"SWISSto12 convinced us with its innovative technology and business model. With its space-ready, 3D-printed radio frequency communication products, we believe SWISSto12 has great growth potential. It is an ideal addition to our portfolio, which focuses on unlisted Swiss growth companies in the expansion phase,” says Nils Granath, responsible for ICT investments at Swisscanto Private Equity Switzerland Growth I KmGK.
Pär Lange, Investment Partner at Swisscom Ventures added, “With its innovative 3D-printing technology, SWISSto12 is leading the way into the next generation of microwave components such as wave guides, antennas, and filters, giving the aerospace industry unrivaled solutions in terms of performance, weight and size. As the satellite industry is transforming, with many low earth constellation initiatives on the way, we believe that SWISSto12 will have an important part to play in this development and we are excited to be part of that journey together with Sto12.”
“We are very proud of the path already taken by SWISSto12 and are delighted to join forces with two highly experienced investors who bring complementary strengths to our investor base,” expressed Philipp Thurn und Taxis, Managing Director of CNB.
Opening U.S. Office
Marking another major company milestone, Michael Kaliski has joined as Head of SWISSto12’s U.S. team. With more than 25 years of satellite communications experience, Kaliski will build a US engineering and sales team, in Santa Clara, CA, to meet increasing customer demand. Previously, Kaliski worked at RUAG Space as Director of Payload Systems and Business Development with a focus on telecom satellite Digital Payloads and Solid State Power Amplifiers. Prior to this, Kaliski spent over 23 years in multiple roles at Space Systems/Loral (SSL, now Maxar) including Satellite Thermal Systems, Communications Payload Systems, Program Management, and as the Engineering Lead for the payload supply chain.
Dr. Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12, said that with this financing round, their mission to bring disruptively performing and reliable, 3D-printed communication products to the aerospace industry goes to the next level. They are very proud to have brought their first products into operation in space this year and look forward to further developing their journey with their clients by enabling increasingly affordable and flexible satellite communication services. They are very excited to have the trust of Swisscanto Invest, Swisscom Ventures and continued support from CNB as they bring new capabilities to the space industry. SWISSto12 also uses the opportunity to thank its fantastic team, shareholders and long-term supporters for their work and help in the successful growth of the company.
