SWISSto12, a provider of telecom components for the satellite and aerospace industries, has successfully completed its Series B financing round worth CHF 18.1M (USD $18.5M). The funding was led by Swisscanto Invest by Zürcher Kantonalbank and Swisscom Ventures and returning investor Constantia New Business (CNB). The new round will accelerate the company’s industrialization and the commercial deployment of antenna products for communication satellites.
SWISSto12’s advanced and patented technologies deliver lightweight, innovative, high performing and competitive communication products. The company will also direct the recent 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.
Additive manufacturing (3D-printing) provides a unique opportunity for next-generation equipment on-board 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 the company 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, it 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.
The company’s Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Swisscanto Invest and Swisscom Ventures, which together with CNB 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.
Opening of a U.S. Office Marked another major company milestone, Michael Kaliski 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.
SWISSto12 will soon be exhibiting at the World Satellite Business Summit in Paris, France, September 9 – 13.
