| Founded | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Closed | 1999 |
| Country | USA |
| Sector | Hardware |
| Total raised | $5B total (Motorola, institutional investors) |
| Collapse type | Sudden Collapse |
| Founder | Bary Bertiger |
Iridium Satellite (Original)
"Motorola's $5B satellite phone network that launched 66 satellites — then filed for bankruptcy 9 months after launch with fewer than 50,000 subscribers"
Unexpected shutdown within weeks of a trigger
Key Events Timeline
Iridium was conceived by Motorola engineer Bary Bertiger in 1987, when his wife struggled to reach him via mobile phone from the Bahamas.
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