Elve

About Elve

Elve Speed, Inc. manufactures high-efficiency, lightweight millimeter-wave (mmWave) power amplifiers designed to enable wireless connectivity that surpasses 5G capabilities. The company leverages advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and automated production processes to revolutionize the construction of vacuum electronic devices, specifically traveling-wave tubes (TWTs). This approach allows for the cost-effective and high-volume production of amplifiers that were traditionally expensive and built by hand.

Founded in 2020 by Dr. Diana Gamzina, Elve was born from the challenge of making powerful amplifier technology affordable for real-world infrastructure. Dr. Gamzina, who serves as the company's CEO, has a background as a staff scientist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and a development engineer at the UC Davis millimeter-wave research group. The company's CTO is Dr. Rich Kowalczyk, who has extensive experience in the research and development of advanced RF sources. The founding vision was to address the connectivity gap in areas outside of densely populated urban centers by providing fiber-like internet quality over the air.

Elve's core products are mmWave traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) that enhance communication for satellite networks and create long-distance ground-to-ground links. By using nanocomposite emitters, Elve's devices achieve higher electron emission efficiency at lower temperatures, which extends their lifespan and improves performance. The company offers a product line of power amplifier systems for various frequency bands, including Ka, Q, V, and E-bands, catering to the rigorous demands of both commercial and defense sectors. The business operates on a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, serving clients in telecommunications, satellite communications, electronic warfare, and advanced imaging.

Headquartered in Davis, California, Elve became fully operational in its manufacturing facility in 2023. In February 2024, the company announced it had raised $15 million in a Series A funding round to increase its manufacturing capabilities and expand its customer base in the space connectivity market. Key investors include Lockheed Martin Ventures, Green Sands Equity, TomEnterprise Private AB, Yu Galaxy, and Cambium Capital Partners. The company aims to scale production to approximately 2,000 amplifiers per year.