JAPAN, 11 NOV 2025, Transcelestial has expanded its total funding to US$34.7M with an additional close of its latest round of US$9.7M.
The new backing from MPower Partners and expanded support from SEEDS (investment arm of SG Growth Capital) and Kickstart Ventures. This adds to the list of strategic backers from Japan including NTT Finance (investment arm of NTT Group, Japan’s oldest telecommunication company) Golden Egg Ventures and Paspalis Capital (leading Australia deeptech investor).
The fresh injection will accelerate Transcelestial’s deployment of its laser communications solution across Japan’s most urgent needs: resilient emergency connectivity during earthquakes and typhoons, secure non-jammable defence networks, and space capabilities ( optical links to ground, HAPS and Orbital Data Centers).
“We invested in Transcelestial because Japan urgently needs resilient, high-capacity communications that can be deployed in hours, not months. Its laser links deliver fiber-class throughput without trenching, keeping cities, hospitals, and businesses online during earthquakes and typhoons, while enabling secure, non-jammable networks for public safety and defense. We’re equally excited by the roadmap from ground to HAPS and LEO—foundational for space-based optical connectivity and future orbital data centers. With early pilots under way and strong alignment with telcos and government, Transcelestial is both commercially compelling and nationally important for Japan’s digital resilience,” said Kathy Matsui, General Partner at MPower Partners
Transcelestial’s response to these challenges encompasses three initiatives that will revolutionise Japan’s approach to emergency communications while advancing its defense and space capabilities:
- Breaking through disaster recovery barriers with rapid-deploy laser solutions
Japan’s communications infrastructure faces unique challenges due to its susceptibility to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. Transcelestial’s laser technology enables critical connectivity services to maintain operations within hours, not days: empowering emergency services, healthcare providers, and essential businesses to operate through any disruption. Transcelestial’s laser communication technology is poised to address this crucial need, offering a resilient solution that can operate independently of traditional ground-based infrastructure.
- Advancing national security with next-generation laser capabilities
This breakthrough extends to strengthening Japan’s defense infrastructure through the Self-Defence Force. Transcelestial’s non-jammable laser communication systems will secure critical communications across land, sea, and air operations, creating a resilient network that operates where traditional systems cannot reach.
- Pioneering Japan’s space communication frontiers
Completing this vision, Transcelestial aims to collaborate with JAXA to advance laser communication applications for High Altitude Platform Stations and Low Earth Orbit satellites. This groundbreaking initiative will enhance both disaster recovery capabilities and deep space communications, positioning Japan at the forefront of space-based laser technology.
Image: NTT-AT President & CEO Tadashi ITO visit to Transcelestial’s Singapore Office
“Japan’s need for resilient communications is immediate, and we’re seeing that reflected in conversations with national telcos and early pilots already in motion. Whether it’s proving our systems at major public gatherings or exploring defence-grade trials, our lasers are demonstrating how quickly they can deliver secure, high-capacity connectivity where fiber falls short,” said Rohit Jha, CEO and Co-Founder of Transcelestial.
“At Kickstart, we invest in technologies that strengthen and complement our LPs’ strategic capabilities and drive solutions that improve access to goods, services, and information. We’ve seen Transcelestial’s laser technology deployed in the Philippines with our LP, Globe Telecom, where it strengthens networks in hours instead of months– critical during typhoons, major events, or hard-to-reach communities. As they expand into Japan with partners like MPower, NTT Finance, and Golden Egg Ventures, we’re proud to continue our support for a company that builds the optical backbone for a more resilient, inclusive, and connected Asia,” said Joan Yao, General Partner at Kickstart Ventures
“SEEDS is delighted to continue supporting Transcelestial in advancing its pioneering work in laser communications. As an early investor in its seed round, our further investment reflects SEEDS’ commitment to backing Singapore-based innovators developing deep technology solutions that address real-world challenges with sizeable market opportunities. With a growing international footprint, Transcelestial exemplifies how local deep-tech ventures can scale from Singapore to the world, delivering resilient connectivity solutions where they are needed most — in Japan, the USA, and beyond,” said Kaixin Tan, General Manager at SEEDS.
“This investment reflects our focused commitment to advancing Japan’s communication infrastructure. Transcelestial’s laser connectivity is not just innovation for innovation’s sake—it addresses a very real challenge in urban density, high-speed data transmission, and infrastructure resilience. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks for what advanced connectivity can deliver in our communities,” said Chikashi Sakurada, Executive Manager at NTT Finance.
“Transcelestial’s laser communications technology is exactly the kind of innovation Paspalis looks for—practical, resilient, and ready to scale. By collaborating with key institutions in the Territory, we’re helping to close infrastructure gaps, improve remote connectivity, and support long-term economic growth,” said Harley Paroulakis, CEO of Paspalis Capital.
END OF ANNOUNCEMENT
For press enquiries and requests, please contact: Rachael De Foe ([email protected])
For more, visit our website www.transcelestial.com OR follow us on Twitter (@trans_celestial)
For sales enquiries, please contact: [email protected]
About Transcelestial:
Transcelestial has mass-produced a solution for superfast global Internet distribution that leverages its proprietary wireless laser communication technology to create a wireless distribution network between buildings, traditional cell towers, street-level poles and other physical infrastructure – with a much lower total operating cost for Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and enterprises.
Transcelestial aims to develop a constellation of LEO satellites allowing their laser network to not only connect inter-cities but upwards in space to connect continents globally.
Transcelestial has won numerous industry and global awards such as Most Frontier Company by Asiastar10x10, SPIFFY San Andreas Award for Most Disruptive Technology by Telecom Council, Forbes 30 Under 30 to their CTO Dr. Mohammad Danesh, Edge 35 Under 35 to their CEO Rohit Jha, The Most Ambitious Start-Up in Photonics Award by The Optical Society (OSA).
