Disney Channel star is now directly competing with Elon Musk's SpaceX after raising millions in funding
Published on Dec 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Dec 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Jason Fan
In a twist few people saw coming, a former Disney Channel star is now building a company that directly challenges SpaceX in the space economy.
Once known for her roles in family-friendly sitcoms, she has completely reinvented herself, trading cameras for cutting-edge technology.
After leaving the spotlight, she pursued an extremely ambitious academic path, and is now applying that expertise to a bold new venture.
Investors have already poured millions into her startup, signaling that this isn’t just a hobby or passion project.
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This Disney Channel star isn’t satisfied with just singing
The actress in question is Bridgit Mendler, best known for Disney Channel hits like Wizards of Waverly Place and as the lead in Good Luck Charlie.
Following her time on television, Mendler enrolled at MIT, earning a Master’s in Media Arts and Sciences.
She then began a Ph.D. program at MIT, while simultaneously attending Harvard Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2024.
Combining technical knowledge, legal expertise, and entrepreneurial vision, Mendler co-founded Northwood Space, a satellite data startup launched in 2024.
Northwood Space focuses on developing next-generation ground station networks, the critical infrastructure that enables satellites to communicate effectively with Earth-based systems.
While SpaceX dominates headlines with rockets and its Starlink constellation, Northwood tackles the less glamorous but essential side of space: reliable, scalable satellite communications.
The company has already raised millions in funding, positioning itself as a serious competitor in a rapidly growing market for space infrastructure.
Mendler’s rare combination of technical knowledge, legal expertise, and entrepreneurial drive may just give Northwood an edge over other space startups.
What an incredible career pivot
From Disney Channel star to space-tech entrepreneur, there’s no better proof that reinventing yourself is possible (and profitable).
She’s definitely going to have her work cut out for her, tackling one of the most demanding industries on Earth.
And her opponent is no slouch either.
SpaceX recently announced its intentions to go public, and the company could very well be the first trillion-dollar space company in the world.
Competing against this behemoth in the space economy won’t be easy, but doing so successfully could potentially be extremely rewarding.
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Jason Fan is an experienced content creator who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a degree in communications. He then relocated to Australia during a millennial mid-life crisis. A fan of luxury travel and high-performance machines, he politely thanks chatbots just in case the AI apocalypse ever arrives. Jason covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on technology, planes and luxury.
