European Chip Startup TUSK IC Raises €15 Million to Mass-Produce Satellite Chips
Belgian semiconductor startup TUSK IC has raised €15 million in Series A funding as it prepares to move its satellite communication chips into mass production.
The Antwerp-based company was spun out of KU Leuven and develops semiconductor technology designed for satellite communications, particularly in the Ka-band frequency range.
The funding round was led by Matterwave Ventures, FORWARD.one and the Flanders Future Tech Fund, with participation from the Schaubroeck family and existing investors.
TUSK IC’s technology addresses a growing requirement in the satellite industry.
As satellite constellations become larger and commercial space companies deploy more spacecraft, there is increasing demand for smaller, more efficient and affordable communications hardware.
Semiconductors are an essential part of that infrastructure.
Satellite communication systems require specialised chips capable of handling high-frequency signals while operating under demanding conditions.
TUSK IC is developing its technology specifically for these applications.
The new funding will allow the company to move from development toward mass production, an important transition for any semiconductor startup.
Moving into volume manufacturing can allow a company to reduce unit costs while making its technology available to a much larger number of customers.
For the European space industry, the development is also significant.
Europe has been attempting to strengthen its domestic semiconductor and space technology capabilities, reducing reliance on suppliers outside the region.
Companies like TUSK IC sit at the intersection of both industries.
Its technology could eventually support communications equipment used across commercial satellite constellations and other space infrastructure.
The company’s location in Belgium also connects it to Europe’s strong semiconductor research ecosystem.
KU Leuven has played an important role in semiconductor research and has produced a number of technology companies through its research and innovation programmes.
TUSK IC’s latest funding therefore demonstrates how university research can move into commercial applications with the support of venture capital and industrial investors.
The satellite industry is becoming increasingly dependent on specialised components.
While rocket companies and satellite manufacturers often attract most of the public attention, the semiconductor companies developing the chips inside spacecraft are becoming increasingly important to the overall space ecosystem.
TUSK IC is now entering the next phase of that journey.
The company will have to demonstrate that its chips can achieve reliable performance at commercial production volumes while meeting the demanding requirements of satellite operators.
If successful, its technology could become part of the communications infrastructure supporting Europe’s expanding commercial space sector.
