TUSK IC, a KU Leuven spin-out developing CMOS integrated circuits for automotive, industrial and satellite communications applications, has secured €15 million in funding to accelerate the commercialization of Standard CMOS-based Beamformer ICs for Ka-band satellite communications.
Matterwave Ventures, FORWARD.one and Flanders Future Tech Fund, managed by PMV, led the investment, with participation from the Schaubroeck family and existing investors.
Scaling CMOS Technology for Satellite Communications
TUSK IC develops Beamformer ICs used in Flat Panel Antennas for satellite user terminals. Standard CMOS technology provides a lower-cost and lower-power alternative to SiGe and Specialty CMOS technologies, supporting scalable connectivity for next-generation LEO and MEO satellite constellations.
The funding follows a European Space Agency contract awarded to TUSK IC with support from BELSPO under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems programme. TUSK IC is also working with a leading satellite communications manufacturer to integrate the technology into a new Electronically Steered Array antenna.
“The future of connectivity will be determined not only by the constellations in orbit, but also by the technologies that make high-performance user terminals scalable and affordable on the ground. TUSK IC combines leading-edge mmWave innovation with the economics and scalability of standard CMOS, addressing a critical bottleneck in satellite communications. We believe this positions the company to underpin a more diverse and resilient space-based communications infrastructure.” said Silviu Apostu, Partner at Matterwave Ventures.
Moving From Prototypes to High-Volume Production
The €15 million investment will support commercial expansion and the transition of TUSK IC technology from prototype chips to high-volume manufacturing.
“By bringing the economic and manufacturing advantages of CMOS to satellite communications, TUSK IC is democratizing high-performance connectivity from space,” said Arjan Göbel, General Partner at FORWARD.one. “Its unique combination of breakthrough semiconductor technology and a scalable manufacturing approach positions the company to play an important role in the rapidly expanding global satellite communications market.”
“This investment is a strong endorsement of both our technology and our team,” said Kathleen Philips, CEO of TUSK IC. “This milestone reflects the expertise and excellence of our entire team, who have turned an ambitious vision into a commercially relevant product platform. The investment will accelerate the transition from prototype chips to high-volume production. We are grateful for the trust our investors have placed in us and for the confidence our customers and partners continue to show.”