Hubble Network, a Seattle-based company founded in 2021 by Alex Haro and Ben Wild, has achieved a significant milestone in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector by demonstrating the first-ever direct-to-satellite connection using standard, off-the-shelf Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chips. This breakthrough means everyday wireless devices can now achieve global connectivity without needing expensive cellular modems or specialized satellite hardware. The technology was publicly demonstrated at Embedded World 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, and also featured at CES 2026 in Las Vegas through a collaboration with Texas Instruments. Hubble’s method leverages a proprietary protocol and a lightweight Software Development Kit (SDK) to bridge the 650-kilometer gap between terrestrial BLE chips and its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
The Hubble Network's innovative architecture transforms the standard Bluetooth protocol, originally designed for short-range communication, into a long-range, narrow-band satellite link. This is made possible by high-gain phased-array antennas on their satellites, described by CEO Alex Haro as “giant magnifying glasses,” capable of detecting weak BLE signals from over 600 kilometers away. The system supports small data packets of up to 13 bytes per message, primarily optimized for data like temperature, motion, and location. Importantly, it is 20 times more energy-efficient than traditional satellite IoT solutions, allowing devices to run for years on coin-cell batteries.
Historically, satellite IoT has been limited by high hardware costs, often exceeding $50 per unit, and complex integration. Hubble Network aims to dismantle these barriers by enabling connectivity through a simple firmware update. The company has raised $70 million in Series B funding, bringing its total capital to $100 million. As of March 2026, Hubble operates a constellation of seven satellites providing global coverage at least once every 24 hours. The plans are to scale this to 60 satellites by 2028, which will enable near-real-time global coverage with revisits every 15 minutes. This direct-to-satellite BLE model is particularly aimed at high-volume, low-margin sectors requiring global visibility, such as consumer safety (integrating with Life360 and Tile), fleet tracking, and industrial asset monitoring.
