Connecting the world through startups

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to expose the hard truth of the digital divide, bringing more people online to a faster internet is more important now than ever. Earlier this year, we announced our commitment to emerging startups that shared similar goals in addressing internet connectivity challenges by introducing the Facebook Accelerator: Connectivity program. This 12-week virtual program will help startups scale their business through industry-oriented training and workshops, access to experts, and potential strategic partners and investors. After months of sourcing and vetting, we are thrilled to announce the innovative startups that have been selected to participate in our inaugural connectivity cohort:

• BandwidthX Inc.
  BandwidthX provides cloud services to unlock existing mobile capacity in single operator networks and across multiple independent networks, saving costs and improving performance.
• Bridgefy
  Bridgefy increases engagement and revenue for tech companies by making mobile apps accessible without the need for an internet connection.
• Cirrus360
  Toolchain that enables telecom operators to build a multi-vendor HW/SW disaggregated, secure, cost-effective, reliable open RAN infrastructure.
• Clear Blue Technologies
  Clear Blue Technologies provides Smart Off-Grid power technology and Energy-as-a-Service for cost-efficient power that can be installed anywhere, managed over the internet, and deliver reliability and performance to help enable the world's internet connectivity.
• Connecting Company
  Connecting Company is bringing accessible and quality internet to rural communities through a self-sustaining system.
• Crunch Mediaworks
  Crunch takes low resolution, distorted videos with missing frames, and converts them into a smooth, high definition video during playback.
• eino
  A decision making platform for 5G capital planning.
• Equal Access Santa Cruz
  EASC’s goal is to bridge the digital divide and bring true high-speed broadband to every family in Santa Cruz County.
• FreedomFi
  FreedomFi builds cost efficient cellular networks using open source software and commodity hardware.
• Galgus
  Galgus’s mission is to unleash the full potential of Wi-Fi networks for optimization, management, analytics, and security.
• GenXComm, Inc.
  (Private) 5G/LTE: Enabling reliable, interference-free 5G/LTE-mesh networking for operators and enterprises
• Metawave Corporation
  Metawave is advancing automotive radar sensing and boosting 5G mm-wave coverage with its all-analog platforms.
• NetExperience
  Software platform to control, manage and automate disaggregated Wi-Fi networks compatible with Telecom Infra Project Open Wi-Fi architecture,
• Netwey
  Netwey is a telecom operator addressing the digital divide through a model that focuses on availability and affordability.
• Plexus Controls Inc.
  Plexus Controls is a developer and manufacturer of wireless sensor systems, autonomous robotic and drone platforms.
• Plumeria Networks Inc.
  Plumeria Networks eliminates expenses for enterprise Wi-Fi by using software defined wireless and smart algorithms, on top of commoditization of the hardware, to reduce customer costs.
• Radio Innovation
  Delivering affordable mobile internet thus eliminating digital illiteracy and helping mobile operators improve coverage, data rates, capacity and profitability primarily in emerging markets.
• Robin
  Robin’s cloud-native infrastructure and automation solutions enables mobile operators to transform their networks to support the next generation of services, including 5G.
• Tanaza
  Tanaza offers a flexible cloud-based platform to efficiently operate Wi-Fi networks and democratize connectivity.
• Whitestack
  Whitestack provides efficient connectivity and cloud infrastructure to operators around the world, leveraging open technologies.

The program officially kicks off on November 9th, at which point the startups will begin to meet industry experts, get to network amongst themselves, and join a workshop where they will learn about partnering with Facebook Connectivity and how to make the most of the program. The program will conclude with a demo day in February, giving these startups the opportunity to showcase their work to date. At Facebook, we understand the importance of investing in the next generation of innovators and partners that bring us closer to a more connected world. We’re so excited to see the impact that startups will make through the program. Congratulations to all of our 2020 startups!

To continue to stay up to date on Facebook startup programs launching check out developers.facebook.com/startups and follow @FacebookforStartups.