Gogo Inc. has announced a strategic equity investment in Farcast, a San Francisco‑based startup that is developing a single‑aperture, full‑duplex flat‑panel antenna (FPA) for aviation customers. The investment, valued at $30 million, will fund Farcast’s production ramp slated for 2026 and full‑scale manufacturing in 2027, positioning Gogo to offer a more compact, cost‑effective terminal that can be installed on existing aircraft real estate.
Farcast’s FPA leverages an Active Electronically Scanned Antenna (AESA) that enables simultaneous transmission and reception from a single aperture. The technology reduces size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP‑C) while increasing bandwidth, allowing Gogo to deliver a multi‑band, multi‑orbit connectivity experience from a single, lightweight terminal. Gogo CEO Chris Moore said the partnership will “substantially reduce key SWaP‑C constraints aviation faces, including scalability, while retaining and improving performance in a small form factor design.”
The investment aligns with Gogo’s broader multi‑orbit strategy, which combines geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks with air‑to‑ground (ATG) services. By integrating Farcast’s advanced antenna, Gogo can expand its reach to a broader range of aircraft categories and strengthen its position as the only provider of purpose‑built, multi‑orbit connectivity for business and military/government aviation. Farcast was founded in 2019, has raised $23.6 million to date, and plans to begin production ramp in 2026.
Gogo’s Q3 2025 earnings, released the same day, showed a net loss of $1.9 million, largely due to a $15 million pre‑tax acquisition‑related earn‑out accrual. Revenue of $223.6 million beat analyst estimates by $1.4 million (0.34%) but the company missed earnings per share (EPS) by $0.09, reporting –$0.01 versus an expected $0.08. The EPS miss was driven by the earn‑out accrual and higher operating expenses associated with recent acquisitions, including the Satcom Direct purchase. Despite the short‑term hit, Gogo reiterated its 2025 guidance at the high end of its ranges, signaling confidence in long‑term growth.
The market reaction was sharply negative, with Gogo’s shares falling 18.04 % in pre‑market trading. Analysts cited the substantial EPS miss as the primary driver of the sell‑off, noting that while revenue growth was modest, the company’s profitability was under pressure. The investment in Farcast is viewed as a strategic long‑term play that may offset short‑term earnings volatility by enhancing Gogo’s product offering and opening new revenue streams.
Management emphasized that the Farcast partnership will accelerate the deployment of next‑generation terminals and support Gogo’s goal of delivering high‑bandwidth, low‑latency connectivity to a wider fleet of aircraft. The company’s focus on cost control and strategic investments suggests a balanced approach to managing current financial challenges while positioning for future market leadership.
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