Disney star turned CEO: Bridgit Mendler rockets into space tech with the launch of satellite startup Northwood Space

Bridgit Mendler, best known for her roles in “Good Luck Charlie” and “Wizards of Waverly Place,” has made a surprising career shift from Hollywood to space technology. Having reached millions through her various roles, she is now on a mission to revolutionize how satellite data is transmitted to the Earth’s surface through her new startup Northwood Space.

The core idea behind Northwood Space is to create a network of advanced “ultra-wideband gateways,” essentially supercharged ground stations capable of efficiently managing the increasing volume of data transmitted by the growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).

What sets Northwood Space apart is its ability to mass-produce these gateways, making them quicker to deploy and more cost-effective than conventional options. This breakthrough not only benefits satellite operators but also opens up new possibilities for utilizing LEO data across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, and extending internet access to remote areas.

“The vision is a data highway between Earth and space,” Mendler said in an interview with CNBC. “Space is getting easier along so many different dimensions but still the actual exercise of sending data to and from space is difficult. You have difficulty finding an access point for contacting your satellite.”

Founded in 2023 with the ambitious goal of transforming communication between Earth and space, Northwood is already drawing attention from prominent venture investors, having secured approximately $6 million in initial funding from notable backers such as Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Also Capital.

This substantial investment not only reflects confidence in Mendler’s leadership but also underscores the company’s potential to revolutionize the utilization of LEO data. Announcing the new funding on Twitter, Mendler said:

“Expect the unexpected! So excited to announce our $6.3M seed led by @foundersfund and @a16z with participation from @CapitalAlso, @LongJourneyVC, @BoxGroup, @humbavc”

Expect the unexpected!

So excited to announce our $6.3M seed led by @foundersfund and @a16z with participation from @CapitalAlso, @LongJourneyVC , @BoxGroup, @humbavc

At @NorthwoodSpace we have our sights on building a data highway between earth and space. We are designing… https://t.co/JwtEuTOTJI

— Bridgit Mendler (@bridgitmendler) February 19, 2024

The name Northwood was inspired by a lake in New Hampshire, where Mendler revealed that the concept for the company took root during her family time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While everybody else was making their sourdough starters, we were building antennas out of random crap we could find at Home Depot … and receiving data from [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] satellites,” Mendler said. 

“For me, why the ground-side matters is because it actually is about bringing the impacts of space home to people,” Mendler added.

Despite these successes, Northwood Space faces challenges as a newcomer in a competitive field. The company must demonstrate that its technology can scale and adapt to the dynamic landscape of the space industry. However, with Mendler’s distinctive perspective and a dedicated team of engineers, they are strategically positioned to bridge the gap between Earth and space, addressing data challenges one packet at a time.

This marks only the beginning of Northwood Space’s journey. It will be fascinating to observe how Mendler and her team leverage their innovative approach to carve out a significant presence in the ever-expanding space technology market. So, keep an eye on the horizon, as this former Disney star may very well emerge as a major contender in the space race!

The startup’s co-founders, from left: Chief Technology Officer Griffin Cleverly, CEO Bridgit Mendler and Head of Software Shaurya Luthra.