YC-backed Apolink by 19-year-old bags $4.3M to build 24/7 connectivity for LEO satellites

Apolink, an innovative space-tech startup founded by a 19-year-old entrepreneur of Indian descent, has successfully raised $4.3 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $45 million. This funding will propel the development of a real-time connectivity network specifically designed for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, addressing a significant challenge in the realm of space communications. Satellites often experience downtime due to being out of range from ground stations during their orbits, a problem that traditional relay satellites and global ground station networks have only partially alleviated. As the aerospace sector continues to evolve, this issue has become increasingly urgent. Historically, NASA relied on its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system for near-constant communication with geostationary satellites. However, the agency announced in 2022 a shift towards commercial providers, leaving many current systems focused on geostationary and medium Earth orbits. Apolink, previously known as Bifrost Orbital, aims to change this paradigm by ensuring 24/7 connectivity for LEO satellites. Each orbital ring is engineered to support 256 users at a speed of 9.6kbps. "LEO has its own advantages, as it is significantly closer than geostationary orbit, making the connection between the customer satellite and our constellation much more efficient," explained Onkar Singh Batra, the founder of Apolink. Batra's interest in space technology ignited at the age of 14, leading him to create InQube, India’s first open-source satellite, while still in high school. His early experiences highlighted the connectivity issues faced by satellites, particularly the lack of interoperability in existing solutions, which often require specific hardware for network access. Apolink intends to tackle these challenges with a hybrid-RF optical architecture that operates independently of user terminal hardware. While some startups have attempted to create new ground stations to mitigate dark zones, Batra pointed out that these solutions can be cumbersome and fail to guarantee continuous connectivity. "The maximum you can achieve is a reliable connection to the ground during certain windows," he stated. Apolink, established in 2024 and based in Palo Alto, plans to deploy a constellation of 32 satellites that utilize lasers and radios to offer connectivity even to satellites lacking specialized hardware. The startup aims for an impressive 99% uptime with a latency of 10–15 seconds, which could be reduced to just 2–3 seconds once the network is fully operational. Competitors such as Amazon’s Kuiper and SpaceX’s Starlink are also working on inter-satellite links to enhance connectivity for satellite users. However, Batra noted that many of these companies do not dedicate their resources to virtual relays, which limits the bandwidth available to customers. Moreover, unlike other players that rely on optical terminals, Apolink’s technology does not require additional customer hardware. Apolink has secured its own FCC license, removing the need for customers to navigate additional licensing. The startup produces its satellite components, including lasers and radios, in-house, ensuring compatibility with its systems. A demo mission is slated for Q2 2026 via a SpaceX rideshare, featuring a technology demonstration satellite aimed at validating the backward-compatible radio-frequency relay in LEO. Following this, a second demonstration is planned for June 2027. The company is on track to launch its commercial constellation by 2028, with all 32 satellites expected to be operational by 2029. Despite being in the nascent stage, Apolink has already garnered over $140 million in letters of intent from various companies in sectors such as Earth observation and spatial data. Notable backers in this funding round include Y Combinator, 468 Capital, and several angel investors, all supporting a core team of industry veterans dedicated to spacecraft integration and testing.