TUSK IC, an Antwerp-based fabless semiconductor startup, has secured €15 million ($16.2 million) in Series A funding to accelerate the commercialisation of its Ka-band beamformer chips for satellite communications. The round was led by Matterwave Ventures, with participation from FORWARD.one, the Flanders Future Tech Fund (managed by PMV), the Schaubroeck family, and existing investors.
The capital injection will enable the company to transition its CMOS-based beamformer technology from prototype stage to high-volume production, while also facilitating integration partnerships with satellite equipment manufacturers. Founded in 2018, TUSK IC specialises in developing millimetre-wave semiconductors designed to address a fundamental challenge in the satellite communications sector: making user terminals both scalable and cost-effective.
Addressing a Critical Market Gap
The satellite communications industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by the expansion of low-Earth orbit constellations and rising demand for global connectivity. However, the development of ground terminals capable of supporting these systems at scale remains a bottleneck. TUSK IC’s approach leverages standard CMOS manufacturing processes, which offers economies of scale advantages compared to specialised semiconductor fabrication methods traditionally used in mmWave applications.
“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,” said Silviu Apostu, Partner at Matterwave Ventures. “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.”
European Momentum in Space Tech
The funding round reflects growing investor confidence in European space technology capabilities. Belgium has emerged as a notable hub for satellite communications innovation, with several companies developing components and systems for next-generation connectivity infrastructure. The involvement of region-specific investors like the Flanders Future Tech Fund underscores the strategic importance of space technology development within European economic policy.
TUSK IC’s success in securing this funding highlights the expanding opportunities in satellite hardware, particularly as global demand for high-speed broadband connectivity continues to increase. The company’s focus on integrating its technology with established satellite equipment manufacturers suggests a pragmatic commercialisation strategy aimed at achieving rapid market penetration.
The Belgian startup’s progression to Series A represents a significant milestone for the European satellite communications hardware sector, where competition is intensifying as both new entrants and established aerospace companies invest in next-generation terminal technologies. With this capital infusion, TUSK IC is positioned to play a meaningful role in supporting the infrastructure required to deliver satellite-based broadband services at scale across Europe and globally.