Skylo Announces Series B, Will Scale in Emerging Markets

Skylo Ren, backed by the First Order of SoftBank, announced its plans for interstellar domination yesterday.

In other words, networking startup Skylo emerged from stealth with a $103 million SoftBank-led Series B. Skylo wants to use satellites to provide affordable internet of things (IoT) connectivity to devices across the world.

Skylo CEO Parth Trivedi told me he's looking to connect analog industries "out of the scope and geographies of existing telecom networks," such as farming, fishing, remote utilities, mining, forestry, and disaster avoidance.

The tech

Skylo's network leverages geostationary satellites and the Narrowband IoT protocol, a low-power cellular technology. Customers self-install Skylo's terminal kits, which use digital antennas and off-the-shelf mobile phone components. Skylo can link up previously unconnected sensors/machines on the cheap—for 95% less than the competition, Trivedi said.

Looking ahead...Skylo has tested its tech with government and enterprise clients. Now, it plans to scale service in emerging markets, starting with India and Southeast Asia.