Want to stay up to date on the latest startup fundings, launches, and expansions in Austin? Startup Over Coffee’s weekly roundup of Austin startups to watch will keep you in the loop on the latest Austin tech news. 

Catch up on previous weekly roundups here.

CesiumAstro

Cesium Astro is an Austin-based startup that specializes in higher-throughput active phased array systems for satellite beams that can be steered. They just announced raising $60 million in a Series B round of funding, bringing their total funding to around $90 million. They plan to use this funding to further enhance their communication transmissions for drones, satellites, and other airborne vehicles. 

This space startup launched its first two drones into orbit last September, with plans to launch additional assets into space this year. With this new funding, CesiumAstro plans to open several new “satellite” locations, no pun intended. They also plan on doubling their workforce from 80 to 160, or even 200. 

Be Chipper, Inc. 

Austin-based startup Be Chipper, Inc. just reported raising $5.6 million in new equity funding. Along with this new funding, Chipper has been backed by investors including SoFi, Capital Factory, FJ Labs, and Central Texas Angel Network. Founded in 2017 by Tony Aguilar, this startup’s app helps individuals manage student loan payments, identify payment options, qualify for forgiveness programs, and enable them to “chip” away at their loans. 

E2open

E2open, an Austin-based startup supply chain software company just announced that it will acquire Logistyx Technologies for $185 million. This acquisition of Logityx will offer omnichannel fulfillment technology that connects retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers to 550 in-network carriers including UPS, DHL, USPS, and FedEx. CEO Michael Farlekas led the company in this decision to obtain Logistyx in order to grow its reach and integration strategies within the shipping industry. 

Virdee, Inc. 

Austin startup Virdee Inc. is a software virtual reception and concierge service. This startup just raised $8.2 million in equity funding a little less than a year after its seed round. Co-founded by Branigan Mulcahy and Dadav Cornberg, this startup’s software targets the real estate and hospitality industries. They offer door lock and property management integration systems for reception and other check-in services.

About Lara Tanner: Lara is an Account Associate Intern for Swyft, which is a tech PR firm in Austin and Houston and a top digital marketing and PR agency in Denver since its founding in 2011. Swyft also has a small satellite office where it offers tech PR in San Francisco. Swyft has been listed as one of the top tech PR agencies in Texas for two years running by the B2B services review site, Clutch.co.