From Disney Star to Space CEO: Bridgit Mendler Secures $100M for Satellite Antennas

Bridgit Mendler, former Disney Channel actress and singer, has raised $100 million for her space startup Northwood Space, which builds advanced ground infrastructure and phased array antennas to improve satellite connectivity. The Series B round was co-led by Washington Harbour Partners and Andreessen Horowitz.

Founded in 2023, by Bridgit Mendler, Shaurya Luthra, and Griffin Cleverly, Northwood Space is positioning itself as the “ground infrastructure backbone” for the new space economy, aiming to solve one of the least glamorous but most essential problems in satellite operations: how data gets back to Earth efficiently.

The California–based startup builds next‑generation ground infrastructure—specifically phased array antennas and mobile ground stations—to improve satellite‑to‑Earth connectivity. It has already raised more than $136 million in funding, including a $100 million Series B announced now hip?  

Key Highlights

• CEO & Co-Founder: Bridgit Mendler, known for her Disney Channel career and music, now leads Northwood Space.
• Funding Round: $100 million Series B, announced
  January 27, 2026.
• Investors: Washington Harbour Partners and Andreessen Horowitz jointly led the round.
• Company Focus:
  • Builds phased array antennas and mobile ground infrastructure.
  • Enhances satellite-to-Earth connectivity for telecom, defense, and climate monitoring.
  • Addresses the problem of aging and obsolete satellite ground systems.
• Location: Based in
  Southern California.
• Use of Funds: Expansion of manufacturing and production capacity to support time-sensitive space missions.

Why It Matters

• Satellite Boom: Thousands of satellites are being launched for communications, defense, and Earth observation.
• Bottleneck: While rockets and satellites are advancing,
  ground infrastructure lags behind, limiting data transfer efficiency.
• Northwood’s Solution: Modern, mobile ground stations that can be deployed quickly to meet mission needs.

Northwood Space's first phased array ground station

Rendering of Northwood Antenna

Comparison: Traditional vs. Northwood Approach

Feature	Traditional Ground Systems	Northwood Space
Technology	Fixed parabolic antennas	Phased array antennas
Mobility	Stationary, large facilities	Mobile, deployable units
Scalability	Slow to expand	Rapid manufacturing & deployment
Connectivity	Limited bandwidth	Enhanced, flexible connectivity
Target Users	Government-heavy	Commercial + defense + climate

Risks & Challenges

• Competition: Other startups and established aerospace firms are also modernizing ground systems.
• Capital Intensity: Manufacturing antennas and infrastructure requires significant upfront investment.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Satellite communications involve complex international regulations.
• Execution Risk: Scaling production while maintaining reliability is critical.

Takeaway

Bridgit Mendler’s transition from entertainment to aerospace highlights a growing trend of cross-industry leadership in tech startups. With $100 million in fresh capital, Northwood Space is positioned to play a pivotal role in modernizing satellite ground infrastructure, a sector often overlooked compared to rocket launches but essential for the future of global connectivity.