UA’s FreeFall Aerospace completes merger

FreeFall Aerospace, a US-based antenna manufacturer spun out of University of Arizona, has merged with 5G telecommunications business ED2 to become FreeFall 5G.
The merger is the result of a deal struck between Arizona-spinout focused venture firm UAVenture Capital (UAVC) and DVI Equity Partners, shareholders in FreeFall Aerospace and ED2 respectively.
Founded in 2016, FreeFall Aerospace develops ground, air and space-based antennas on behalf of a variety of commercial and government clients.
The spinout’s portfolio had included a 5G concept prototyped by ED2 that will now continue under FreeFall 5G’s stewardship, with a demonstration expected later this summer.
FreeFall’s 5G antenna – dubbed FreeStar 5G – is billed as a desktop-sized system designed to provide better range and energy efficiency than competing products.
The concept stems from UA research undertaken by Chris Walker, professor of aerospace-mechanical engineering, and Marwan Krunz, the Kenneth VonBehren endowed professor in UA’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
UAVC had supplied FreeFall Aerospace with an undisclosed sum in 2018 in exchange for a 20% stake.
A regulatory filing from January 2018 shows FreeFall had lined up $250,000 in securities although, due to a $500,000 minimum investment clause, it was unclear whether the money was ever received.
ED2 meanwhile raised an undisclosed series A sum from investors led by DVI Equity Partners in July 2019.
Robert Robbins, president of University of Arizona, said: “This new company has the potential to be a tremendous success, particularly as the importance of 5G technology grows.
“I am very proud to see this kind of partnership grow out of innovative thinking from UA, and I am grateful to UAVenture Capital for their leadership in making sure this outstanding technology will be available to the public. I am looking forward to seeing what FreeFall 5G will accomplish.”