19-Year-Old Space Company Raises Millions for Satellite Connectivity

Apolink Secures $4.3 Million Seed Funding for Satellite Connectivity

Apolink, a space-tech startup supported by Y Combinator and led by a 19-year-old entrepreneur of Indian descent, has successfully raised $4.3 million in a seed funding round. The round was oversubscribed and values the company at $45 million post-money.

The company’s primary focus is the development of a real-time connectivity network specifically designed for satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Addressing the Challenge of Satellite Communication

A significant issue in space communications involves satellites experiencing intermittent offline periods. These outages occur due to “dead zones” – instances where satellites are outside the line of sight of ground stations.

While relay satellites and extensive ground station networks attempt to mitigate this problem, they offer only incomplete solutions.

The Evolving Space Industry and Apolink’s Solution

The need for improved connectivity has become increasingly critical as the space industry undergoes rapid evolution. NASA, historically reliant on its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system, announced plans to transition to commercial providers for satellite communications starting in 2022.

However, many existing commercial systems primarily cater to geostationary or medium Earth orbits. Apolink, previously known as Bifrost Orbital, intends to fill this gap by providing consistent 24/7 connectivity to LEO satellites.

Each orbital ring is engineered to support 256 users with a data rate of 9.6kbps.

LEO Advantages and Apolink’s Technological Approach

“LEO offers distinct advantages,” explains Apolink founder Onkar Singh Batra. “Its proximity to Earth simplifies establishing a connection between the customer satellite and our constellation.”

This closer proximity minimizes power requirements and enhances compatibility.

Apolink’s strategy is rooted in Batra’s early identification of this connectivity challenge. He began exploring space technology at age 14 in 2020.

In 2022, while attending a defense school in Jammu, India, he created InQube, recognized as India’s first open-source satellite.

He also shared his expertise by teaching space ecosystems to engineering students at IIT Jammu between 2022 and 2023.

Recognizing the Need for Interoperability

Batra identified a key problem while developing his initial satellite system: a lack of backward compatibility in existing solutions. Current systems often require specific hardware for network access in orbit.

He notes that existing inter-satellite links (ISLs) frequently lack interoperability and fail to meet the Space Development Agency’s standards.

“We address this with our hybrid-RF optical architecture and a hardware-independent approach, eliminating the need for user terminals,” Batra states.

Beyond Ground Stations: A Constellation-Based Solution

While some companies are attempting to resolve connectivity issues by constructing new ground stations, Batra points out their limitations. Ground stations are “cumbersome to operate and cannot guarantee a continuous 24/7 link.”

“At best, they can provide a reliable connection during the satellite’s window of visibility,” he adds.

Apolink’s Constellation and Future Plans

Established in 2024 and based in Palo Alto, Apolink plans to deploy a constellation of 32 satellites. These satellites will utilize both lasers and radios to ensure connectivity, even for satellites lacking specialized hardware.

The company, whose name combines “Apogee” and “link,” aims for approximately 99% uptime and initial latency of 10-15 seconds, with plans to reduce this to 2-3 seconds as the network matures.

Differentiating from Competitors

Companies like Amazon’s Kuiper and SpaceX’s Starlink are also developing inter-satellite links. However, Batra asserts that these multipurpose constellations often do not prioritize virtual relays, resulting in limited bandwidth for customers.

Furthermore, they typically require customers to install optical terminals for connectivity.

“Unlike other ISL providers who focus on Ku/Ka-band and optical terminals for EO image downlink, our approach is different,” he explains.

Licensing and In-House Development

Apolink possesses its own FCC license, simplifying the process for customers by removing additional licensing requirements.

The company also manufactures key satellite components, including lasers and radios, internally to ensure compatibility with its algorithms.

Launch Schedule and Early Traction

Apolink intends to launch its initial demonstration mission via a SpaceX rideshare in Q2 2026. This mission will feature LinkONE/IPoS, a 3U technology demonstration satellite designed to validate the backward-compatible radio-frequency relay in LEO.

A second demonstration is planned for June 2027, involving two satellites. The commercial constellation rollout is scheduled for 2028, with the complete 32-satellite network expected to be operational by 2029.

Despite its early stage, Apolink has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from companies in the Earth observation, communication, and spatial data sectors, including Astro Digital, Hubble Network, and Star Catcher Industries.

Investment and Team

The seed round was supported by Y Combinator, 468 Capital, Unshackled Ventures, Rebel Fund, Maiora Ventures, and several angel investors, including Laura Crabtree, Benjamin Bryant, and Kanav Kariya.

Apolink’s core team comprises four individuals, each with over five years of experience from companies like Maxar, Audacy, and Astra. They operate from a 4,000-square-foot R&D facility, currently focusing on spacecraft integration, testing, and validation with early partners.