Home / Technology / Xona Raises $170M for GPS Alternative
Xona Raises $170M for GPS Alternative
27 Mar
Summary
- Xona secured $170 million in Series C funding.
- The funds will accelerate deployment of its satellite constellation.
- Pulsar is designed as an alternative or backup to GPS.
Xona, a California-based startup, has successfully raised $170 million in a Series C funding round. This significant investment is earmarked for accelerating the deployment of its low-Earth orbit satellite constellation and bolstering its manufacturing capabilities. The company is developing Pulsar, a commercial positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service intended to serve as a robust alternative or backup to the existing Global Positioning System (GPS).
Pulsar aims to overcome GPS vulnerabilities such as jamming and spoofing by broadcasting stronger signals from its low-Earth orbit satellites. Crucially, it is designed to be compatible with most existing GPS devices, a key factor in its scalability. The company plans a broader ramp-up in satellite deployments starting in 2027, with an ambitious goal of deploying 258 satellites.
Beyond its satellite constellation, Xona is moving towards vertical integration in manufacturing and expanding its global operations. The startup has established a new factory in Burlingame, California, and is growing its engineering talent in Montreal, Canada, while also opening an office in London. Initial demand is anticipated from sectors requiring high-precision timing, such as telecommunications, banking, and data centers, with the U.S. military also identified as a key target user.
