Viasat joins Native America Catalyst to expand connectivity on Native lands

Hangar 75 says Viasat has joined the Native America Catalyst, a multi-year initiative with Kiva Capital Group aimed at improving coordination and execution across opportunities in Native American communities. The partnership puts connectivity at the center of efforts tied to healthcare, education, financial access and long-term economic development.

Why it matters: - Connectivity is a core barrier for many First Nations communities in remote and underserved areas. - Reliable, affordable access can affect healthcare, education, financial inclusion and community development. - Viasat’s role adds a technical layer the initiative sees as essential to scaling impact across Native American lands.

What happened: - Hangar 75 announced a collaboration with Viasat on the Native America Catalyst. - The initiative launched with Kiva Capital Group and is designed as a multi-year effort. - The program is meant to strengthen coordination, accelerate momentum and drive execution across opportunities in Native American lands. - The announcement was issued from Irvine, California, on Aug. 10, 2026. - Hangar 75’s social media page is available here.

The details: - The Native America Catalyst is built to align capital, partners and operational capabilities around urgent challenges affecting Indigenous communities. - The initiative creates a structured environment for tribal nations, investors, corporations, policymakers and operators. - Focus areas include infrastructure, healthcare, education, financial access and long-term economic development. - Hangar 75 says Kiva Capital Group is focused on orchestrating the scale of funding needed for impact across First Nations communities globally. - Hangar 75 provides the stakeholder environment where opportunities can be surfaced, structured and advanced. - Viasat’s connectivity capabilities are intended to support the program across multiple categories, not as a standalone add-on. - The collaboration is positioned to help communities access services, strengthen resilience and participate more fully in the digital economy.

Between the lines: - The partnership reflects a broader shift in how development efforts are being framed: connectivity is being treated as infrastructure, not just a convenience. - The announcement suggests the Catalyst is trying to reduce fragmentation between funding, partners and execution. - Viasat’s involvement gives the initiative a practical implementation layer where digital access can unlock other services. - Ian Wilding, CEO of Hangar 75, said the Catalyst is about connecting real community needs to the partners and capabilities required to move them forward. - Joe Herrera Jr., CEO of Kiva Capital Group, said progress becomes more practical and scalable when capital, partners and capability are coordinated. - Wayne Parrish, head of U.S. sales at Viasat, said connectivity can expand healthcare access, extend education, strengthen financial inclusion and enable long-term economic participation.

What's next: - The Native America Catalyst will continue developing as it aligns funding, infrastructure and operating partners around community priorities. - Viasat’s participation is expected to support efforts to bring reliable, affordable connectivity to Native American lands. - Hangar 75 and Kiva Capital Group will keep using the Catalyst structure to surface and advance opportunities tied to long-term growth.

The bottom line: - The collaboration makes connectivity a central input in a broader effort to move capital and partners toward measurable improvements in First Nations communities.