REG - IP Group PLC - Portfolio company AccelerComm raises $15m funding

IPAnnouncement

02/06/2025 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20250602:nRSB8558Ka&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 8558K  IP Group PLC  02 June 2025

 FOR RELEASE ON  2 June 2025

 

IP Group plc - Portfolio company AccelerComm secures $15m funding to speed
adoption of technology for space-based 5G networks

 

IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) ("IP Group" or "the Group"), which invests in
breakthrough science and innovation companies with the potential to create a
better future for all, is pleased to note that portfolio company AccelerComm
("AccelerComm" or "the Company") has closed a funding round totalling $15m.

AccelerComm, which is a leading provider of high-performance 5G technology for
satellite networks, will use the capital to further develop and accelerate
deployments of the company's 5G satellite communications products and
technology that enable Direct-to-Device (D2D) communications between phone
handsets and space-based satellite networks.

The round was led by IP Group, comprising £3.0m from its balance sheet and
£4.5m from its Parkwalk and Hostplus managed funds*. Following completion, IP
Group plc has an undiluted beneficial holding of 26.6% in AccelerComm, with a
further 21.2% held via its managed funds. The round was also supported by IQ
Capital, Swisscom Ventures' digital transformation fund and Bloc Ventures.

AccelerComm also announced the appointment of David Helfgott as CEO, a senior
executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across wireless and
satellite communications markets.

*Includes funds managed/advised on behalf of Parkwalk and Hostplus.

The full announcement follows:

AccelerComm Secures $15m Funding to Speed Adoption of Technology for
Space-Based 5G Networks to Deliver Universal Mobile Coverage

·    UK company closes funding round led by IP Group, including its
Parkwalk and Hostplus managed funds

·    Appoints Satellite industry veteran David Helfgott as CEO

 

Southampton, UK: June 2 2025 - AccelerComm, the company delivering
high-performance 5G technology for Satellite networks, today announced that it
has closed a funding round totalling $15m. The capital will be used to further
develop and accelerate deployments of the company's 5G satellite
communications products and technology that enable Direct-to-Device (D2D)
communications between phone handsets and space-based satellite networks.

 

The round was led by IP Group, including its Parkwalk and Hostplus managed
funds, with support from IQ Capital, Swisscom Ventures' digital transformation
fund and Bloc Ventures. The investment will support the company's ongoing
implementations with key mobile operator and satellite network customers and
partners, including Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is using AccelerComm's
solutions in their Advanced Regenerative 5G NR NTN Base Station, set to be the
first regenerative 5G NTN payload on orbit.

 

The company also announced the appointment of David Helfgott as CEO, a senior
executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across wireless and
satellite communications markets. In his new role David will be responsible
for accelerating customer and partner traction in the US and globally for
AccelerComm's cutting-edge technology. Most recently he held the position of
CEO at SmartSky Networks, a leader in inflight communications, with an
air-to-ground (ATG) 4G LTE/ 5G network for aviation. Prior to that he held
President and CEO roles at Phasor, Inmarsat Government, DataPath Inc, and SES
Government.

 

"There is growing momentum in the mobile communications industry towards using
5G enabled satellites to augment existing coverage and capacity delivered by
terrestrial networks," said David Helfgott, CEO of AccelerComm. "AccelerComm's
unique technology and acumen position us at the centre of this shift,
delivering a critical building block required to provide best in class 5G
services from space. I'm delighted to be joining the company at such an
exciting time as it launches a world-first solution, and with further
ground-breaking innovations and launches around the corner. The recent
announcement of our 5G NTN solution has led to great interest from mobile
operators and satellite networks from around the world."

 

"Non-terrestrial network convergence of satellite and mobile technology is
reshaping the future of connectivity, and UK companies like AccelerComm are
helping to drive that transformation," said Henny Sands, Head of
Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency. "This investment marks a
significant step towards achieving universal mobile coverage through
space-based 5G. The UK Space Agency is proud to support pioneering businesses
developing world-class and unique capabilities, and we welcome AccelerComm's
continued innovation in this critical sector."

"Having supported AccelerComm since inception, we're delighted to see the
Company attract an experienced CEO and close a new funding round, supported by
additional blue-chip investors,"said Lee Thornton, Partner (Deeptech), IP
Group. "AccelerComm has one of the world's leading technologies for fast and
efficient communications in the nascent low-earth-orbit satellite market. The
company is well-positioned for growth, with a market that is projected to be
worth $100bn within a decade, and we look forward to future progress."

About AccelerComm

AccelerComm is a leading provider of high-performance physical layer solutions
for 5G Non Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Experts in specialized Radio Access
Networks (RAN) applications, AccelerComm deliver solutions with cutting-edge
performance and power efficiency to meet the unique demands of satellite-based
5G networks. The company's portfolio ranges from complete physical layer
solutions to customisable signal processing components, implemented on a wide
range of next generation silicon, AI Engines, FPGA , and ASIC-ready IP cores
including space hardened platforms. AccelerComm's modular approach allows
seamless integration based on O-RAN, SCF and 3GPP standards.

Find out more about us at www.accelercomm.com (http://www.accelercomm.com) .

 

For more information, please contact:

 

 IP Group plc                       www.ipgroupplc.com
 Liz Vaughan-Adams, Communications  +44 (0) 20 7444 0062/+44 (0) 7967 312125
 Portland
 Alex Donaldson                     +44 (0) 7516 729702

 

Notes for editors

 

About IP Group

 

IP Group accelerates the impact of science for a better future. As the most
active UK based, early stage science investor, we develop and support some of
the world's most exciting businesses in deeptech, life sciences and cleantech
(led by Kiko Ventures). Through Parkwalk, the UK's largest growth EIS fund
manager, we also back world-changing innovation emerging in leading
universities and research institutions. Our specialist investment team
combines sector expertise with an international approach. Together we have a
strong track record of success, having backed high-profile companies including
Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc, Featurespace, First Light Fusion, Hysata,
and Oxa. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
under the code IPO. For more information, please visit our website at
www.ipgroupplc.com (http://www.ipgroupplc.com/) .

 

ENDS

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  MSCURASRVOUVOAR