Airbase raises $5 million to tackle spectrum bottleneck as FCC eyes new space uses

TAMPA, Fla. — New York-based software startup Airbase emerged from stealth March 25 after raising $5 million to modernize how governments coordinate radio frequencies used by satellites, 5G networks and other wireless systems.

The venture says its technology would automate decades-old coordination systems with software-driven tools for managing interference, licensing and real-time spectrum access.

The effort comes as the Federal Communications Commission pushes to open up more spectrum to shared and flexible use. 

Earlier this month, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr proposed a rulemaking to expand spectrum access for “weird space stuff,” including satellite servicing, orbital labs and other emerging missions, by clarifying how existing rules apply and identifying new bands to support telemetry, tracking and command links. A vote on the proposal is scheduled for the agency’s March 26 open meeting.

“Physics defines the hard limits of spectrum availability, but the true bottleneck is analog coordination,” said Airbase CEO and cofounder Ari Rosner, previously of defense-focused space venture True Anomaly and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“We are replacing the friction of the past with software-led precision, ensuring that both regulators and spectrum end users across commercial and defense sectors can function at speed, without constraint.”

Airbase’s dual-use platform would support applications ranging from electronic warfare and tactical communications to spectrum license enforcement and Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiatives for the U.S. military.

The software is designed to reduce the burden of manual interference analysis and legacy database management, enabling engineers and policymakers to focus on more complex spectrum planning and policy challenges.

Rosner said Airbase is currently working under a U.S. government contract to automate some of the most time-consuming aspects of federal spectrum coordination, though he did not provide more details.

The funding round was led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), with participation from Squadra Ventures and Founders You Should Know.