Led · Series D · Aug 2023

Pivotal Commware builds a mmWave product ecosystem for extending the wireless edge and increasing coverage for radio access networks, aimed at enabling Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) for mobile network operators. Its product lineup includes the Pivot 5G network repeaters that redirect mmWave signals beyond line-of-sight, Echo 5G subscriber repeaters for indoor penetration through glass, the WaveScape network planning tool, and an Intelligent Beam Management System. The company uses a patented Holographic Beam Forming antenna technology to minimize cost, size, weight, and power consumption. Pivotal offers Pivotal Turnkey Services as an end-to-end solution for planning and deploying FWA and emphasizes low total cost of ownership and fast time-to-revenue for MNOs. The company recently raised $102 million in a Series D to fund aggressive investment in Pivotal Turnkey and to develop next-generation software and hardware, supplemented by capital and cash flow from operations. Pivotal Commware is privately held and headquartered in Bothell, Washington. Pivotal Commware develops communications platforms, systems and applications built on Holographic Beam Forming (HBF) technology to enable cost-effective deployment of 5G millimeter-wave networks for mobile and fixed wireless access. Its product ecosystem includes the WaveScape network modelling tool, Pivot 5G outdoor network repeaters, Echo 5G indoor subscriber repeaters, and an Intelligent Beam Management System (IBMS) for remote management and optimization. The company says HBF antennas increase network speed, capacity and spectral efficiency while minimizing cost, size, weight and power consumption. Pivotal announced the closing of a $50 million Series C led by an affiliate of Tracker Capital Management, with participation from Devonshire Investors, DIG Investment, Thermo, Lux Capital and Bill Gates. Proceeds will be used to expand product support, distribution and R&D across its mmWave ecosystem and to extend offerings into mid-band frequencies including C-Band, CBRS and Band n53. Headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, the company positions itself to scale globally as a 5G telecom infrastructure provider. Pivotal Commware develops metamaterials-based flat-panel antennas and repeater systems intended to boost and extend millimeter-wave 5G signals. Its product lines include the Echo 5G, a customer-installed paddle-like device with an interior "power puck," and the Pivot 5G for operators to extend range and wrap signals around corners. The company demonstrated gigabit-scale indoor transmission rates in recent field trials and plans to begin shipping the Echo 5G to wireless operators in December, with broader appearances expected next year. Pivotal was spun out of Intellectual Ventures in 2016 and is based in Kirkland, Wash.; its prior investors include Bill Gates, DIG Investment, Lux Capital and Thermo Companies. Financially, the company has raised a $17M Series A in 2017 and a $22M Series B that closed last December, and has now secured $10M in convertible-debt financing. The fresh financing is intended to support the product launch and expand headcount, which is approaching 100 employees. Pivotal Commware is a Bellevue, WA–based developer of communications products that use Holographic Beam Forming (HBF). It is the exclusive licensee of metamaterials technology for terrestrial communications markets including cellular, Access-in-Motion (planes, cars, ships, trains and drones) and defense. The company's HBF products have generated significant 4G and 5G interest and been field-tested with Tier 1 operators. Pivotal is working with Globalstar to leverage its technology into future service offerings over Globalstar's terrestrial spectrum. The company was spun out of Intellectual Ventures in 2016. Financially, Pivotal raised $17M in a Series A round with backers that include The Thermo Companies, DIG Investment, Bill Gates, Lux Capital, the family office of Barry Sternlicht and others.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2022

AURA Network Systems builds a proprietary, safety-critical communications network to enable remotely piloted commercial flights beyond visual line of sight and to operate as a Command and Control Communication Service Provider (C2CSP). The network uses FCC-licensed aviation spectrum in the 450 MHz band and includes an airborne radio and voice comms module to support command-and-control data, telemetry, and air traffic control voice service. AURA demonstrated these capabilities at the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum in Springfield, Ohio and during mid-July demonstrations in Western Maryland. The company has a four-year cooperative R&D agreement with the FAA and two Space Act agreements with NASA, and it launched a coast-to-coast secure network in 2020. Founded in 2019 and based in McLean, VA, AURA says its technology increases the commercial viability of autonomous operations and targets emerging markets such as autonomous air cargo and urban air mobility. The company stated the recent $75 million financing will accelerate core development work and provide financial runway to launch commercial services. AURA Network Systems builds and operates the nation’s only coast‑to‑coast network using licensed aviation spectrum (450‑MHz band) to provide secure, reliable voice and data communications for unmanned and manned aircraft. The company’s core product is an FAA‑compliant nationwide communications network designed to enable beyond‑visual‑line‑sight (BVLOS) operations and advance AAM/UAM deployments. AURA emphasizes spectrum acquisition and demonstrations with government partners to integrate air taxis, cargo delivery aircraft and other advanced air vehicles into the national airspace. Recent regulatory milestones include an FCC ruling enabling expanded operations at all altitudes and selection by NASA as a National Campaign partner, plus participation on an FAA fast‑tracking rulemaking committee. Leadership has decades of aviation and telecommunications experience and the company says the technology increases the commercial viability of autonomous operations. The latest funding will support continuing commercial services for manned aviation, spectrum acquisition, and ongoing technology demonstrations with government agencies and partners.

Led · Series A · Nov 2022

Eliyan develops advanced connectivity technologies including silicon-proven NuLink™ PHYs and NuGear™ chiplet families that target I/O, memory-expansion and power-efficiency challenges in modern compute infrastructure. The company is expanding into optical interconnect to complement its existing electrical interconnect portfolio and to support heterogeneous, co-packaged, and bandwidth-intensive compute fabrics. Eliyan positions its platform to span intra-package electrical interconnects through system-level optical fabrics for scale-up and scale-in AI networks. The company is led by CEO and Co-Founder Ramin Farjadrad and is based in Santa Clara, California. Financially, Eliyan raised $145 million in a Series C at a $1 billion valuation. It plans to use the new capital to accelerate product and interconnect development, broaden ecosystem partnerships, and scale manufacturing.

Led · Equity · Sep 2022

Live Earth is a next-generation business intelligence SaaS platform that leverages AI and machine learning to integrate disparate, actual, and streaming datasets to deliver real-time insights and control. The platform ingests massive datasets and is designed to provide real-time insights without teams of data scientists, built for the toughest operating environments. Founded in 2015 and based in Austin, Texas, the company began by equipping U.S. Special Operations Forces with a real-time data visualization and streaming platform for classified situational awareness. Live Earth has since been adapted for commercial use and serves a global customer base including the world’s top 100 financial institutions, telcos, utilities, and government agencies. Management intends to expand the platform’s feature set and deploy the technology more broadly across commercial and government clients. Core capabilities highlighted include improved forecasting, root-cause analysis, and reduced exposure to risk.

Led · Series B · Dec 2021

Privoro is a Chandler, AZ-based mobile security hardware company that builds smartphone security devices to limit the data available to hackers and spies. Its products include the SafeCase™, a smartphone-coupled security device that helps organizations defend against audio and video surveillance by preventing spyware from hijacking cameras and microphones, and Vault™, a portable Faraday enclosure and audio masking chamber that protects against wireless attacks, location tracking, and audio/video surveillance. Led by founder and CEO Mike Fong, the company raised $30M in a Series B funding round led by Tracker Capital Management. As part of the transaction, Tracker Capital’s Louis Bremer and Senior Advisor Daniel Goldin joined Privoro’s board. Privoro intends to use the funds to scale its team, products, and operations to meet demand for its products. The company positions its technology to elevate smartphone users' security posture by limiting the data available to hackers and spies.