Business Alumnus Forges Path in Antenna Technology

Thomas Larkin is the president and founder of NanTenna, an innovative antenna company headquartered in Melbourne, Florida.

Larkin stands as a pioneering force at the forefront of driving innovative communication capabilities within the U.S. Department of Defense and collaborating with partner forces.

But what compelled a business alumnus to get into the antenna industry?

“In my previous roles, I kept hearing customers complain about the antennas they use in their day-to-day roles,” Larkin says. “They break too often; they don’t perform how they would like them to; or the technology, in general, hasn’t changed in years.”

He realized that no one in the market was focused on antennas, and NanTenna was born.

Using the skills he had learned in his business classes at Florida Tech with faculty such as instructor Tim Muth and professor Brian (Andrew) Cudmore, Larkin took a problem and created a solution.

Established in 2020, NanTenna began with a bold vision to redefine military satellite communications (SATCOM) with groundbreaking antenna technology.

Five years later, the company has five products and clients spanning over nine countries and every time zone.

“The most challenging part of starting my own business was the self-doubt,” Larkin says. “But there’s a lot to be said about being uncomfortable and trying new things.”

“The most challenging part of starting my own business was the self-doubt. But there’s a lot to be said about being uncomfortable and trying new things.”
– thomas larkin

Within his role, Larkin spends much of his time traveling for trade shows, where he oversees the https://news.fit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dr_wiggenhorn1-1.jpg and sales strategies of the company.

During his travels, Larkin has learned firsthand that no matter how far he is from Melbourne, the Florida Tech Panthers are never too distant.

“In October 2024, I attended the largest Army trade show in the world, which was being hosted in Washington, D.C.,” Larkin says. “At this event, I connected with another antenna company located in Norway, and it turns out that the company’s representative had a daughter on Florida Tech’s women’s soccer team who I went to school with!”

Through their Florida Tech connection, Larkin has gained a new business contact.

“Everyone always talks about how Florida Tech is a smaller university and has a more tight-knit atmosphere, but I’ve learned being in the outside world that we’re a small school with some seriously big reach.”

When he’s not working, Larkin likes to spend quality time with his wife and fellow Panther Devon Larkin ’17, ’18 M.S., and their young son, as well as their two dogs, Chloe and Marley.