Case Study

Blue Sky Network turns $5K grant into 36% export increase

ServiceExport/Logistics Consulting

ServiceMarketing/Visibility

San Diego-based Blue Sky Network provides technology solutions to a wide range of commercial and government customers located in over 50 countries, specializing in satellite-based communications and fleet management for aviation, maritime, land mobile, and IoT application. With international customers representing more than 40 percent of its total sales, exporting is crucial for Blue Sky Network’s growth and resilience.

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COMPANY

CHALLENGE

A satellite-based communications and fleet management company, Blue Sky Network‘s international exports to a wide range of commercial and government customers provide more than 40 percent of its sales. Its international presence has created resilience, protecting the company against domestic economic downturns and anticipating seasonal customer needs.

But with COVID-19 disrupting both domestic and international markets, the company saw supply chain issues and a substantial drop in revenue from aviation and oil and gas customers.

WTCSD SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED

Blue Sky Network applied to World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD)’s export accelerator MetroConnect and was one of 15 small to mid-sized companies accepted into its fifth cohort.

As the company doubled down on government and military sales, prioritized existing efforts in Brazil, and sought opportunities to streamline its international sales, it leveraged MetroConnect’s resources, including:

$5,000 MetroConnect grant and executive workshops to augment its web presence and raise brand awareness in Brazil
Systran to translate user manuals in French for a military customer in Quebec, Canada
JAS Forwarding for exporting advice pertaining to shipping to customers in Egypt and Ukraine
YCP Solidiance for advice on designing a tactical strategy built on sound, local market intelligence geared towards Southeast Asian exporting

VALUE DERIVED

Armed with new expertise, resources, and connections, Blue Sky Network increased its monthly recurring revenue in Brazil by 36 percent since the start of the program and generated its largest order to date for its new SkyLink product from a customer in Brazil. To support this growth, the company also hired seven new full time employees.

Finally, as a top performing company, Blue Sky Network pitched—and won—MetroConnect’s Grand Prize Pitchfest, netting an additional $25,000 grant to support continued expansion into Brazil and other key markets. WTCSD placed the company’s win in key media outlets like SatNews, San Diego Business Journal, and SD Metro, and promoted the company across EDC social media channels to nearly 15,000 followers.

And the 2021 #MetroConnectSD Champion is…. @blueskynetwork! ?
Made possible by @jpmorgan and @procopiolaw, Blue Sky Network will use the $25K award to expand its presence in Brazil and promote the launch of its new SkyLink product in global markets ?https://t.co/Zmyfc0qqbz
— World Trade Center San Diego (@WTCSanDiego) November 19, 2021

“We’ve successfully navigated an incredibly challenging global environment over the past year and a half and the MetroConnect program has helped exceed our international sales targets. We look forward to using MetroConnect’s [$25,000 grand prize] to keep promoting the Blue Sky Network brand and our new SkyLink product overseas.”

—Gregoire Demory, President, Blue Sky Network