Commcrete Ltd., an Israeli innovator specializing in tactical communications systems, has successfully secured $29 million in funding to revolutionize satellite communication for defense applications. The investment was obtained through two funding rounds: the first, a seed investment led by Professor Amnon Shashua, founder of Mobileye, and the second, a Series A round spearheaded by Greenfield Partners, with contributions from Redseed Ventures.
With a mission to provide military and emergency response clients with enhanced, portable communication systems, Commcrete’s technology addresses the limitations of traditional satellite setups. Their solution replaces bulky vehicle-mounted satellite terminals with compact, lightweight handheld devices that can be attached to clothing, vastly improving mobility and accessibility in challenging conditions.
Commcrete’s innovative approach focuses on narrowband SATCOM, enabling the development of miniature antennas capable of connecting nearly any radio or mobile device via satellite. This technology promises performance improvements tenfold compared to existing satellite communication systems, ensuring reliable interactions in various environments, including urban landscapes, deserts, and dense forests.
The founders—Itzik Daniel Michaeli, Josh Yedidia, and Michael Mor—assert that their firsthand experiences in the Israeli Defense Forces have informed their understanding of the shortcomings of conventional military communications systems. They recognize that dependable connectivity is crucial for mission success, which is why they are committed to redefining military communications with advanced handheld systems that provide secure, continuous voice and data links under any circumstances.
Michaeli highlights a significant achievement in 2023, where Commcrete’s systems facilitated communication during a natural disaster that had disrupted all existing infrastructure, demonstrating the effectiveness of their technology in both crisis and operational settings.
Commcrete offers three primary products, each designed for distinct applications. The Flipper device, weighing only 150 grams, adapts any radio—including commercial walkie-talkies and military-grade units—into a satellite-enabled communicator. Their second product, Stardust, is a multi-channel satellite communicator that can transmit voice, text, file transfers, and location tracking all at once. The third upcoming offering, Bittel, is a vehicle-compatible system that provides multiband satellite-based communications similar to those of Stardust.
The potential of Commcrete’s systems is amplified by their historical reference to Navy SEAL Michael P. Murphy, whose story underscores the critical need for reliable communication in life-or-death situations.
Currently, Commcrete’s technology is in use by military forces from 12 nations, and the recent funding will accelerate the company’s efforts to expand globally, delivering robust SATCOM solutions to defense agencies, emergency services, and security organizations across Europe, North America, East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. According to Raz Mangel of Greenfield Partners, the demand for resilient communications technology in defense and public safety sectors is paramount, and Commcrete’s solutions offer a viable alternative where conventional systems often fail.
