Monarch Antenna got its start developing next-generation antennas for the likes of NASA space suits and battle gear for the U.S. armed forces. Today its moving further into the commercialization of its technology, creating products for medical and mobile devices. Moves that hold potential for rapid growth.
"A military application is 50,000 to 60,000 units per year," says Randy Dence, CEO of
Monarch Antenna. "A smartphone application is 50,000 to 60,000 units by lunch today."
The Ann Arbor-based start-up is commercializing technology spun out of the University of Michigan for military, industrial and consumer electronics markets. The technology alters the electronic properties of an antenna so it can maximize signal quality. It started out in 2007 with grant money from NASA and the U.S. military to create its first applications for a space suit belt and a flak vest. Today it working toward creating revenue through producing the antenna technology in medical devices, military applications and smartphones.
That has allowed Monarch Antenna to expand its staff, hiring two people in the last year. Those new hires include Dence and a PhD researcher. "We're probably going to add one more person this year, depending on the programs we develop and additional funding."
Source: Randy Dence, CEO of Monarch Antenna
Writer: Jon Zemke
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