EMV Capital (“EMVC”), the VC investor specialising in early-stage high-growth deep tech companies, is delighted to report that its portfolio company Sofant Technologies (“Sofant”), a leading innovator in advanced antenna technologies, and Inmarsat Government (“Inmarsat”), the leading provider of secure, global, mission-critical telecommunications to the US Government, have today announced a joint development aimed at revolutionising the communication capabilities of aircraft.
Together, Sofant and Inmarsat will collaborate on a state-of-the-art phased array antenna designed to enhance connectivity, reliability, and performance in airborne operations.
The collaboration will combine their respective expertise to develop an innovative solution that addresses the Government airborne users’ growing demand for efficient, low-profile communication systems.
The new phased array antenna will leverage Sofant’s core technology to produce a compact, lightweight, and low-power terminal, which will enable reliable, seamless high-speed global coverage on a wider range of aircraft through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) network, the world’s first and only high-throughput commercial wideband network available worldwide. This includes seamless switching on the GX commercial network’s global service beams and Inmarsat’s high-capacity, global military Ka-band (Mil Ka) network’s steerable beams.
David Wither, CEO, Sofant Technologies, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Inmarsat Government on this development program. By leveraging our leading-edge antenna technology, we aim to deliver a transformative solution that will redefine communication capabilities for airborne platforms. This collaboration aligns with our vision of revolutionizing connectivity in the aerospace industry and beyond. We are confident that our joint efforts will yield exceptional results.”
Steve Gizinski, President, Inmarsat Government, said:
“We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge communication solutions that empower our customers to excel in their missions. Collaborating with Sofant Technologies allows us to push the boundaries of innovation further, and together, we will develop a phased array antenna that sets new industry standards. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in meeting the Government’s growing demand for secure and reliable connectivity worldwide.”
Dr Ilian Iliev, Managing Director of EMV Capital, added:
“We originally backed Sofant in 2019 and have continued to build a stake in the business, in the belief that satellite networks are a key enabler of the future of connectivity and automation. A key feature of our deep tech investment model is to encourage portfolio companies to work closely with global OEMs as a capital efficient way of growth. Hence, we are delighted with today’s announcement, which is a significant milestone for the company. The development collaboration between Inmarsat and Sofant underscores their commitment to driving advancements in airborne communication technology.”
About EMV Capital
EMV Capital is an award-winning deep tech VC investor specialising in early stage high-growth companies in the life science, sustainability, and industrials sectors in the UK and internationally.
EMV Capital develops unique investment strategies for each portfolio company, drawing on its EIS fund and extensive network of private investors, family offices, institutions, and corporate VCs. Delivery and successful execution of these investment strategies enables innovative portfolio companies to raise funding to drive transformational growth.
EMV Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of NetScientific plc (AIM:NSCI), a life sciences and technology commercialisation and investment group.
EMV Capital has a multi-disciplinary team of specialist investors, portfolio managers, capital raisers, legal, finance, marketing, and support staff. The company is focused on primary and secondary investments, through debt and/or equity.
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