Wingbits is a decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) startup focused on the aviation industry. It aims to offer rewards-based flight tracking using cryptographically-secured Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers. The company’s model leverages hardware secured by a decentralized network and is described as a blockchain equivalent of cloud computing services offered by Big Tech. Flight tracking today relies on a global network of volunteers who install home antennas to collect flight data, while companies sell that data to airports, airlines and other organizations, generating hundreds of millions in revenue and volunteers receive nothing in return. Wingbits has raised $5.6 million in the reported funding round, taking its total backing to $9.2 million. The round was led by Borderless Capital and Bullish Capital; Bullish Capital’s parent, Bullish Group, is also the owner of CoinDesk. Wingbits builds a global flight-tracking network that shares revenue with community contributors via a blockchain-based, performance-driven rewards model. The platform captures flight-tracking data from antennas maintained by amateurs and hobbyists and remunerates individuals based on performance, coverage and uptime, with global leaderboards. The company has grown its network from 40 antennas at the end of 2023 to 1,600 less than a year later, and an investor cited a broader community of around 100k aviation hobbyists. Wingbits raised a $3.5M seed round and will use the funding to expand its engineering team, broaden its product offering, and increase sales and marketing efforts. The founding team includes Robin Wingardh and Alex Lungu, both with senior Klarna experience, and early backing from Antler. By incentivizing and rewarding the community, Wingbits aims to create one of the world’s largest and most reliable flight-tracking datasets to help improve delays, optimise routes, and drive efficiencies in aviation.

Total raised

$9M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jan 2025