TUSK IC Propels its Mission to Make High-Performance Ka-band Satellite Technology More Scalable, Affordable, and Accessible

TUSK IC, a spin-out of KU Leuven and developer of CMOS ICs for the automotive, industrial, and SatCom segments, led by Kathleen Philips and the team, has announced the successful closing of its Series A funding round led by Matterwave Ventures, FORWARD.one, and Flanders Future Tech Fund, managed by PMV, with participation from the Schaubroeck family and continued support from the current investors. 

The funding will accelerate commercialization of TUSK’s Standard CMOS-based beamformer ICs for Ka-band SatCom. As a key component of flat-panel antennas, the technology offers a lower-cost, lower-power alternative to SiGe and specialty CMOS solutions used in SatCom terminals.

By combining Ka-band’s high-capacity connectivity with mainstream CMOS technology, TUSK aims to enable scalable, affordable connectivity for next-generation LEO and MEO satellite constellations.

Earlier this year, TUSK IC secured a contract from the European Space Agency, supported by BELSPO, under ESA’s ARTES programme.

With €15 million in funding, the company is positioned to accelerate commercialization and is working with a leading SatCom manufacturer to integrate its 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.

“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.”

“Flanders has built a strong ecosystem at the intersection of semiconductors and space technology, with ambition to create companies that can compete on a global scale,” said Vincent Hebbelynck, Head of Tech VC at PMV, managing FFTF. “TUSK IC is a strong example of how these capabilities translate into innovation with international potential. Supporting companies like TUSK IC as they move towards industrial scale is exactly what the Flanders Future Tech Fund was created for.”

“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.”

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