FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ty Mitchell
Akash Systems, Inc.
(408) 800-9022
Info@akashsystemsinc.com
Akash Systems Raises $3.1 million in Seed Round Funding Led by Khosla Ventures
Sky is the limit for company that aims to reimagine satellites and the components that power them
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2018 – Akash Systems, Inc., focused on resolving the explosive growth of data consumption by enabling smarter and lighter satellite systems, announced today it has raised $3.1 million and closed its seed round funding. Led by Khosla Ventures, the seed round also included Social Capital, Data Collective, Ruvento Ventures, Sriram Krishnan, and Backstage Capital. The funding will allow Akash to further its mission of reimagining tomorrow’s communication systems by developing the next generation of small satellites and the components that power them.
"Today’s worldwide data demand is outpacing the bandwidth and power capabilities of our current communication infrastructure," said Co-founder, CEO and GaN-on-Diamond Inventor Felix Ejeckam. "We have the technology and innovation to look beyond current satellite systems in order to enable the design of small satellite (Cubesat) systems and subsystems in the very near future."
With clarity on the limitations of existing satellite capacity and networks, Akash has set out to revolutionize the future of fast, affordable satellite communications using gallium nitride (GaN)-on-Diamond technology. Akash’s patented GaN-on-Diamond science is enabling smaller, lighter and higher performing satellites that will pave the way to lower launch costs, reduced cost-per-bit, more launch cycles, and increased communications access and throughput.
"Technology is all around us, and the constant use of communication strains our satellite infrastructure more each year," said Sven Strohband, partner at Khosla Ventures. "Akash Systems is here to revolutionize satellite communications by creating high-performance components to get ahead of current satellite limitations such as heat generation and efficient cooling."
Creating this future begins with Akash’s high-performance components – phase one of their business approach – which includes GaN-on-Diamond MMIC Power Amplifiers that are currently on the market. Akash plans to move into phase two, working with satellite system makers to design small satellite (Cubesat) systems and their transmitters by 2019.
About Akash Systems
Akash Systems, Inc., (San Francisco, CA) founded in 2016 by Felix Ejeckam and Ty Mitchell, is focused on developing and supplying the next generation of small satellites (CubeSats), and the RF Power Amplifiers that power them. A pioneering new material, GaN-on-Diamond, is at the heart of the company’s RF technology and products.
Email: Info@akashsystemsinc.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ty Mitchell
Akash Systems, Inc.
(408) 800-9022
Info@akashsystemsinc.com
Akash Systems Debuts, Transforms Satellite Communications with Revolutionary GaN-on-Diamond Technology
Confirms agreement to acquire GaN-on-Diamond patents and intellectual property
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2017 – With worldwide data demand outpacing the frequency, bandwidth and power capabilities of our current communications infrastructure, Felix Ejeckam and Ty Mitchell, both experts in gallium nitride (GaN)-on-Diamond technology have joined forces to create Akash Systems, Inc. (Akash), a company committed to revolutionizing the future of fast, affordable satellite communications.
Through the application of GaN-on-Diamond materials, Akash’s technologies can resolve issues critical to the expansive growth of data use and consumption, enabling smaller, lighter and higher performing satellites that lead to lower launch costs, reduced cost-per-bit, more launch cycles, and increased communications access and throughput.
“There is a great need and demand for new satellites that are lower-cost and allow for faster downlink data rates,” said Co-founder, CEO and GaN-on-Diamond Inventor Felix Ejeckam. “Our technology will also create opportunities not envisioned today, including deep space communications, faster data links between spacecraft, and higher-density information access between human communities, no matter where they are in the universe.”
Creating this future begins with Akash’s high-performance components – phase one of their business approach – which includes GaN-on-Diamond Hybrids and MMIC Power Amplifiers that are currently on the market. Akash plans to move into phase two, working with satellite system makers to design small satellite (Cubesat) systems and subsystems, by 2019.
Ejeckam invented the GaN-on-Diamond technology in 2003, while at Group4 Labs, Inc., by lifting GaN epitaxy from its original growth substrate—for example, silicon—and transferring it to a synthetic CVD diamond substrate. Group4 Labs’ assets were acquired in 2013 by Element Six Technologies, a member of the De Beers Group of Companies.
In 2016, Ejeckam with Akash Co-founder and COO Ty Mitchell, entered into an agreement with RFHIC Corporation to jointly negotiate the repurchase of the GaN-on-Diamond intellectual property (IP), with Akash acquiring all patents and other IP rights related to GaN-on-Diamond technology for use in satellite communications and related markets.
“Imagine extending the reach of fast, affordable communications to every human on earth. Imagine the possibility of high-bandwidth communications between Earth and deep space, or even human colonies in space. At Akash, we are creating technologies to make that vision come true,” said Mitchell, who prior to forming Akash was at Cree, Inc., a $1.6B market-leading innovator of technologies and products based on GaN-on-SiC, where he served in roles including EVP/GM and VP/GM of Cree’s Optoelectronics, GaN/SiC materials, and LED Lighting businesses. “Akash is excited to acquire this IP to serve our customer base of satellite system makers around the world. We want to redefine what people believe are limitations in satellite communications.”
About Akash Systems
Akash, Systems, Inc., (San Francisco, CA) founded in 2016 by Felix Ejeckam and Ty Mitchell, is focused on developing and supplying the next generation of small satellites (CubeSats), and the RF Power Amplifiers that power them. A pioneering new material, GaN-on-Diamond, is at the heart of the company’s RF technology and products.
Email: Info@akashsystemsinc.com
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