At a Glance
- Northwood Space closed a $100 million Series B round led by Washington Harbour Partners and co-led by Andreessen Horowitz.
- The company also won a $49.8 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to upgrade the satellite control network.
- These deals position the startup to expand ground-station capacity and meet growing satellite demand.
- Why it matters: The funding and contract signal confidence in Northwood’s phased-array antenna technology and open new commercial and defense markets.
Northwood Space announced on Tuesday that it has closed a $100 million Series B funding round and secured a $49.8 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to upgrade the satellite control network. The combined deal marks a major milestone for the El Segundo, California-based startup, which is only a few years old and recently closed a $30 million Series A.
Funding Milestone
The Series B was led by Washington Harbour Partners, a firm that has been active in space investments, with co-lead from Andreessen Horowitz. Founder and CEO Bridgit Mendler said the fresh capital will help Northwood keep pace with growing demand and represent an “inflection point in the business.”
> “Yes, this is happening faster than we thought – you know, two fundraises in the same year and large sums of capital,” said Mendler. “That’s really what we’re ready for from a production standpoint.”
The company used the Series A to build its first ground-station prototypes and validate the phased-array design. The new round will fund:
- Expansion of its manufacturing footprint.
- Hiring of additional engineers and support staff.
- Development of next-generation antennas capable of handling more simultaneous satellite links.
Government Contract
Northwood’s contract with the U.S. Space Force covers upgrades to the satellite control network (SCN), which manages a variety of space missions including GPS satellite tracking and control. Mendler explained:
> “The SCN handles a huge variety of consequential space missions for our government.”
The contract reflects the growing need for higher-capacity ground infrastructure, a need highlighted by a 2023 Government Accountability Office report that identified capacity issues with the SCN since 2011.
Technology and Market Opportunity
Northwood’s core offering is smaller phased-array antenna systems that can replace larger dish antennas. The company’s vertically-integrated model-design, manufacture, and operate-sets it apart in a market dominated by third-party providers.
Mendler noted the advantage of handling data volume:
> “The volume of data being transmitted to and from satellites is likely to keep growing, and that’s an advantage we’re keen to press.”
The company’s CTO, Griffin Cleverly, expects the expanded capacity from the new funding to benefit customers scaling into large constellations:
> “Scaling into large constellations-going from one or two satellites to dozens or more-will be most valuable.”
Currently, Northwood’s “portal” sites can handle eight satellite links. By the end of 2027, Cleverly anticipates next-generation stations will handle 10 to 12 links, with the overall network capable of communicating with hundreds of satellites.
Strategic Context
The Space Force’s focus on the SCN aligns with its broader goal of ensuring reliable control of government satellites. The GAO report highlighted that satellite users relying on the SCN could see mission compromises due to increased demand and limited availability.
Northwood’s solution offers a domestic, scalable alternative that can reduce reliance on leased third-party capacity. The company’s technology also positions it to serve commercial players like SpaceX and Amazon, who operate large satellite constellations but face capacity constraints.
Conclusion
With the Series B funding and the Space Force contract, Northwood Space is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory. The company’s phased-array antennas and integrated ground-station approach address a critical gap in both defense and commercial satellite operations.
The combined deals underscore the market’s confidence in Northwood’s technology and its potential to become a key player in the expanding satellite communications ecosystem.
Event: October 13-15, 2026 – Northwood Space will showcase its technology at a major industry event.
