Apolink Is Revolutionizing LEO Satellite Connectivity with $4.3M in Funding
Real-time LEO satellite connectivity is becoming increasingly essential as the global space economy scales. Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup led by 19-year-old Indian-origin founder Onkar Singh Batra, is building a next-generation solution to an age-old problem: how to keep satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) connected 24/7. The startup has raised an impressive $4.3 million in an oversubscribed seed round, hitting a $45 million post-money valuation. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Apolink plans to change satellite communication as we know it — and why its vision for always-on connectivity could be the backbone of future space infrastructure.
Image Credits:Apolink
Why LEO Satellite Connectivity Needs Disruption
Most satellites in LEO suffer from intermittent communication due to their fast-moving orbits and frequent entry into dead zones — areas where they are not visible to any ground station. While NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system historically filled this gap for geostationary satellites, the agency began phasing out the program in 2022, leaving a growing opportunity for commercial innovators. Today’s commercial solutions mostly focus on higher orbits or require costly infrastructure. Apolink is addressing this challenge head-on by targeting LEO with a unique architecture that delivers 24/7 satellite coverage. Its orbital rings are capable of supporting 256 simultaneous users at 9.6kbps — a balance of throughput, power efficiency, and cost that suits many modern space missions.
Inside Apolink’s Vision for Always-On LEO Networks
Apolink’s real-time leo satellite connectivity model is designed with both backward compatibility and flexibility in mind. According to founder Batra, the close proximity of LEO satellites to Earth enables lower power requirements and better compatibility with a range of satellite hardware. This means customers don’t need to retrofit their systems with proprietary hardware to access Apolink’s services — a major advantage for startups, national space agencies, and universities. The company’s strategy is built on the premise that every second a satellite is offline, valuable data or control may be lost. Apolink wants to eliminate these blind spots by offering seamless communication with ground and satellite assets, regardless of location or time.
From Open Source Satellite to Startup: Apolink’s Origin Story
The vision behind Apolink began when Onkar Singh Batra, then just 14 years old, started exploring satellite design. By 2022, while still in school, he had developed InQube, India’s first open-source satellite system. His passion for space tech grew as he taught satellite engineering to university students and identified gaps in satellite communication infrastructure — particularly around low Earth orbit. This hands-on experience, combined with mentorship from Y Combinator and early-stage investors, laid the groundwork for Apolink. Now, with $4.3 million in fresh capital, the company is scaling its operations to deploy its first constellation and serve customers who demand reliable, high-availability communications in space.
What’s Next for Apolink and the Future of LEO Connectivity
Apolink is currently refining its network architecture and preparing for initial satellite launches that will test its 24/7 connectivity model in real-world conditions. The company's roadmap includes collaborations with both commercial space operators and academic institutions to accelerate adoption. As space becomes more commercialized and populated, leo satellite connectivity will be a critical enabler of everything from Earth observation and climate monitoring to space-based IoT and defense. Apolink’s modular, always-on approach positions it to become a cornerstone in the evolving space communications stack — and potentially set a new standard for how we keep satellites connected in an increasingly data-driven world.
Apolink’s entry into the satellite communications space isn’t just another startup story — it’s a signal that innovation in LEO is accelerating. Backed by significant seed funding and a bold technical vision, this young company is poised to redefine how we think about real-time satellite communications. Whether you're a space agency, satellite operator, or tech enthusiast, it’s worth keeping a close eye on how Apolink advances its mission for continuous, efficient leo satellite connectivity across the globe.
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