Northwood Space Raises $375 Million at $2 Billion Valuation to Expand Satellite Ground Network

US-based spacetech startup Northwood Space has raised $375 million in a Series C funding round at a $2 billion valuation, as it looks to expand its shared satellite ground network for commercial, government and allied missions.

The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and DFJ Growth, with participation from Washington Harbour Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, StepStone and In-Q-Tel. HSBC Innovation Banking has also provided a multi-year credit facility.

The fresh capital will support existing contracts, recruitment and expansion of Northwood's ground infrastructure. The company plans to add approximately 400 jobs over the next three years as it scales manufacturing and network operations.

Founded in 2022, Northwood is building shared satellite ground infrastructure that allows satellite operators to access communications and data services without having to establish and maintain their own ground stations.

From a lake-house experiment to a space infrastructure company

Northwood Space was co-founded by Bridgit Mendler, Griffin Cleverly and Shaurya Luthra.

Mendler took an unconventional route into the space industry. After working in acting and music, she studied at MIT's Media Lab and Harvard Law School and interned at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

During the 2020 lockdown, Mendler and her husband, aerospace engineer Griffin Cleverly, began building antennas using hardware-store components to receive weather satellite data.

The experiment helped them recognise a growing infrastructure challenge: as satellite constellations expand, the amount of data being transmitted from orbit will increase pressure on existing ground networks.

The company was established in 2022 in El Segundo, California. It has since opened its headquarters and factory in Torrance, with the facility opening in September 2026. Northwood currently employs more than 140 people.

Building shared infrastructure for satellite operators

Northwood's business focuses on making satellite ground infrastructure more accessible through a shared network.

The company manufactures two main types of antenna systems at its Torrance facility.

Its Portal phased-array antennas support satellite command and control, with each unit capable of supporting six satellites. Its Prism dishes are designed for high-speed data downlinks.

Satellite operators can schedule access to the shared network through a web-based platform, reducing the need to build and operate individual ground stations.

Northwood says a new ground site can become operational within three months, while an antenna can be brought online within three to four hours of delivery.

The company takes a vertically integrated approach, developing its antennas, ground sites and scheduling software internally. This allows it to manage more of the deployment process rather than depending entirely on external infrastructure providers.

Its competitors include KSAT, AWS Ground Station, Leaf Space and ATLAS Space Operations.

Expanding deployments and government contracts

Northwood has made progress in deploying its network since its previous funding round.

Following its $100 million Series B in January 2026, the company deployed six multi-orbit ground sites across two continents.

It has also demonstrated the ability to command a geostationary satellite using a Portal phased-array antenna during a Space Force prototype programme. The company has additionally launched its Prism antenna system.

Northwood holds a $49.8 million contract with the US Space Force, providing another source of demand for its ground infrastructure capabilities.

The company plans to expand its network during the first half of 2027 and aims to have sites capable of handling more than 100 Gbps in high-demand locations by the end of that year.

Investors back the growing satellite ground infrastructure market

The $375 million Series C was led by Andreessen Horowitz and DFJ Growth.

Other investors included Washington Harbour Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, StepStone and In-Q-Tel. HSBC Innovation Banking provided a separate multi-year credit facility.

DFJ Growth founder and managing partner Randy Glein highlighted Northwood's phased-array technology and vertically integrated manufacturing approach as important factors behind the company's growth.

Andreessen Horowitz general partner Katherine Boyle, who sits on Northwood's board, has backed the company across multiple funding rounds, reflecting the firm's view that ground infrastructure is essential to the expansion of the space economy.

Northwood previously raised a $6.3 million seed round in 2024 and a $30 million Series A in April 2025, followed by its $100 million Series B in January 2026.

With the latest investment, the company has raised approximately $511 million in total funding.

The next challenge: scaling the network

The satellite ground station market is expected to grow as more satellites are deployed and operators require greater capacity to communicate with spacecraft and retrieve data.

MarketsandMarkets estimates the market could expand from $41 billion in 2025 to $82.7 billion by 2030.

For Northwood, the next phase is about converting its technology and existing deployments into a reliable network at commercial scale.

The company plans to expand its ground sites, fulfil existing contracts and recruit approximately 400 additional employees over the next three years.

Its $2 billion valuation reflects investor confidence in the importance of satellite ground infrastructure. However, the ability to deploy sites quickly, maintain network reliability and attract satellite operators will be central to proving the business model as the company expands.