In 2021 there were just two funding rounds raised by university spinouts developing pureplay telecoms related technologies, but things appear to be looking up in 2022, with four rounds so far. The level of estimated total capital deployed in 2022 stands at $105m, a big jump from last year.
The 2022 number are still considerably lower than 2020 when we saw 10 such deals, worth an estimated total of $201m.
Federated Wireless, a US-based phone spectrum-sharing technology developer based on Virginia Tech research, has picked up $58m in a series D round backed by commercialisation firm Allied Minds. The round was led by an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management and also included Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC. Federated Wireless completed a $64.7m series C round in 2020 and its investors also include telecoms infrastructure providers SBA Communications and American Tower, telecoms equipment maker Arris International, as well as Pennant Investors.
Eridan, a US-based mobile telecoms infrastructure developer, revealed a total of $46m in funding, split between a previously undisclosed $8m series A round led by Social Capital and a $38m series B round co-led by Capricorn Investment Group, Monta Vista Capital and Social Capital, according to TechCrunch. Eridan was co-founded by Earl McCune, a professor at Delft University of Technology until his death in May 2020.
Resonant Link, a US-based developer of wireless charging technology for medical devices and automotive fleets, raised $9.3m in a seed round led by The Engine, the venture fund established by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The round also featured Volta Energy Technologies, Emersen Collective, Scout Ventures, Urban Us and FreshTracks Capital. The company is based on research at Dartmouth University, with additional work conducted at Stanford University. Emerson Collective, Scout Ventures, Urban Us and FreshTracks Capital were all identified as pre-seed investors, but further details could not be ascertained.
In the full telecoms report:
- 5G starts to pull telecoms sector out of investment doldrums (free to read)
- Web3 is a ‘game changer’ for telecoms says Telefónica Ventures (free to read)
- Singtel on the hunt for new 5G tech with extra $100m (free to read)
For subscribers: - What is strategic investing for a telecoms company in 2022?
- Investments in telecoms startups halved in value last year
- Telecoms incumbents part of $50bn worth of exits in 2021
- A resurgence in telecoms funds?
- Fundraising by university telecoms spinouts picks up
- SoftBank creates ripple of job moves in telecoms sector
