In recent months, Bridgit Mendler, known for her role as a Disney Channel star, has transitioned into the tech industry as the CEO of a space startup named Northwood. The company has successfully closed a $100 million Series B funding round, which was led by Washington Harbour Partners and Andreessen Horowitz. This significant financial backing highlights the growing interest and investment in the space economy, which Mendler believes is evolving from a niche market to a more mainstream sector. During a discussion with Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell, she emphasized the importance of space networking as a shared resource, similar to cloud infrastructure that supports tech startups. Mendler's journey from entertainment to entrepreneurship has garnered attention, but she acknowledges the challenges of proving her credibility in a field that is often skeptical of outsiders. As Northwood aims to provide innovative solutions with its flagship product, Portal, which utilizes a network of smaller antennas to replace traditional parabolic dishes, Mendler's vision for the future of the space economy is becoming clearer. She sees the potential for significant market share and adoption from major sectors, such as telecommunications, as the industry continues to grow and evolve.