Former Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler is making a major career change by becoming the CEO of a satellite data startup called Northwood Space. The company aims to build a “data highway” between Earth and space by producing ground stations that connect and send information to satellites. Mendler’s new venture has received a significant amount of initial funding from investors such as Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Also Capital. The startup plans to test its first connection to a satellite in orbit later this year.
Mendler’s interest in space technology was sparked during her time working at the Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau in 2022. She developed the idea for Northwood Space during the Covid-19 pandemic with her husband and co-founder, Griffin Cleverly. The increasing number of satellites orbiting Earth and the rapid growth of the space industry has created a need for more advanced ground architecture to facilitate data transfer to and from space.
Despite her success in entertainment, Mendler has pursued higher education and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at MIT and a law degree at Harvard University. Her transition from entertainment to academia has garnered admiration from fans, and her versatility has been widely celebrated on social media. While there had been speculation about new music from Mendler, her announcement of Northwood Space took many fans by surprise. Nonetheless, Mendler remains connected to her musical roots, and her hit song “Hurricane” has been widely used in TikTok videos.
This transition from entertainment to the tech and space industry has marked a significant career change for Bridgit Mendler. Her pivot into the world of startups and satellite technology is indicative of a growing trend of celebrities and public figures leveraging their platforms to make an impact in different industries. As she moves forward with Northwood Space, Mendler is poised to make a mark in the evolving landscape of space technology.
The rise of Northwood Space as a satellite data startup highlights the growing demand for advanced technology in the space industry. With extensive initial funding and a clear vision for the future, Bridgit Mendler’s venture is set to make a significant impact in the burgeoning field of satellite communication. As such, the industry and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the developments that will emerge from Northwood Space in the near future.
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