YB Tracking

What YB Tracking does

YB Tracking (legally Ground Control Technologies UK Ltd, formerly Yellowbrick) is a UK-based provider of satellite-based GPS tracking hardware and software for off-grid adventures and competitive events. The company designs, assembles, and tests its own hardware in the UK - the YB3 Handheld Tracker and YB3i Fixed Tracker - and operates as an Iridium Value Added Reseller, using Iridium's 66-satellite network to provide pole-to-pole coverage where cellular signals are unavailable. Tracking data is relayed via Iridium to a UK satellite dish and in-house servers, then surfaced through an embeddable web Race Viewer (Google Maps), the YB Races App (iOS and Android), YBlog for trip sharing, and The CORE fleet management platform; an API is offered for third-party system integration, including Mapbox overlays used by Rebelle Rally.

The company's commercial model is anchored on a rent-and-return event rental service used by approximately 200 adventure races per year and most major ocean races (Fastnet, Sydney Hobart, ARC), with tiered pay-as-you-go pricing of £50 to £100 per tracker for 2-to-4 day deployments plus monthly line-rental subscription charges for active devices. Hardware sales, custom digital prints (£7.50 to £24.17 + VAT), and API access form secondary streams. Customers span event organizers (Rebelle Rally since 2015, Ourea Events' Cape Wrath Ultra), governing bodies (Guinness World Records, Ocean Rowing Society), educational programs (Duke of Edinburgh Award), and individual adventurers and record-setters.

Since 2021, YB Tracking and its sister brand Rock 7 have been amalgamated under satellite technology firm Ground Control while retaining the YB brand and customer base. The company is small (~5 full-time staff plus a testing/support role) and headquartered in Whiteley, UK, with global shipment of devices for events and expeditions.

Name

YB Tracking

Legal name

Ground Control Technologies UK Ltd

Website

https://ybtracking.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

YB Tracking designs and operates Iridium-based satellite GPS trackers (YB3 handheld and YB3i fixed) plus Race Viewer software and mobile apps, providing off-grid tracking, two-way messaging, and emergency SOS for adventure races, ocean yacht races, expeditions, and educational programs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Basingstoke

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of YB3 Handheld Tracker and YB3i Fixed Tracker devices. Devices are designed, assembled and tested in the UK.
2. Event Rental Services: Primary revenue stream where most customers use products on a rent-and-return basis. Rental fees charged for event participation with monthly line rental requirements.
3. Subscription Services: Monthly access fees, call and message/data charges. Monthly line rental must be paid to keep device active. Credit-based system where fees are charged in advance and reside on account until used.
4. Custom Digital Prints: Digital downloads of race tracks showing participant paths with event branding. Prices range from £7.50 to £24.17 + VAT depending on resolution.
5. API Access Services: Integration services for customers with their own mapping or systems to access YB tracking data.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YB Tracking designs, assembles, and tests satellite GPS tracking hardware (YB3 Handheld and YB3i Fixed trackers) in the UK and operates the associated tracking service via the Iridium satellite network. Around these devices the company provides the YB Race Viewer, YB Races mobile app, fleet management (The CORE), YBlog trip sharing, custom race prints, and an event-rental service used by individual adventurers, event organizers, expeditions, and programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Product overview

YB Tracking provides satellite-based GPS tracking and communication products for outdoor adventures, racing events, and expeditions. The core product line consists of the YB3 Handheld Tracker and YB3i Fixed Tracker devices, which leverage the Iridium satellite network for global pole-to-pole coverage. These are complemented by software and service offerings including YBlog for trip sharing, The CORE for fleet management, and the YB Races App for event tracking. The company also offers a Custom Digital Prints service for race memorabilia and provides device rental services for event organizers covering yacht racing, adventure sports, motorsport, expeditions, and educational programs like the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YB3 Handheld Tracker Rugged, waterproof handheld satellite GPS tracking device for individuals in remote environments; features two-way messaging, RED ALERT emergency SOS, real-time position tracking via the Iridium network, and up to 12 months battery life.
• YB3i Fixed Tracker Fixed-installation satellite tracker for permanent mounting on vehicles, vessels, or equipment; delivers the same Iridium-based tracking capabilities as the handheld version in a permanently installed form factor.
• YBlog - Share Your Trip Online sharing platform that lets YB3 users publish their trip progress and positions so friends, family, and followers can follow the journey in real time.
• The CORE Fleet Management Centralized fleet management platform for monitoring and managing multiple YB-tracked assets, targeted at organizations operating several trackers simultaneously.
• YB Races App Mobile application for race participants and spectators to view live race tracking, competitor positions, and race progress on Apple and Android devices.
• Custom Digital Prints Custom high-quality digital downloads of race tracks showing participant routes with personalized highlights, event names, and logos, available in multiple resolutions for home or professional printing.
• Event Rental Service Rent-and-return rental service for YB3 trackers used at yacht races, regattas, adventure races, vehicle rallies, expeditions, fishing competitions, and Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions; includes shipping, web-based and mobile mapping, and 15-minute position reports.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 adventure races tracked per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SeaLabsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SeaLabs (initiative of Ambiente Europeo Association) partnered with YB Tracking to mobilize sailing community for ocean research. YB provides satellite-enabled tracking for precise GPS coordinates during citizen science data collection on seawater parameters.
• Ourea EventscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Cape Wrath Ultra - Scotland's premier multi-stage ultra-running event (400km, 8-day race). YB provides satellite tracking as cornerstone of event safety strategy with YB team on-site during registration and race start.
• Ground ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021YB Tracking and sister brand Rock 7 amalgamated with leading satellite tech company Ground Control in 2021. Ground Control is one of the biggest contributors in the satellite market with truly global solutions. YB Tracking continues operating under its own brand while integrating Ground Control products.
• Rebelle RallycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015YB Tracking has supported the Rebelle Rally since it began in 2015. All-woman navigation rally uses YB3 trackers for scoring platform and safety. YB team participates in event providing geofencing and real-time tracking support.
• IridiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationYB Tracking is an Iridium Value Added Reseller. Iridium provides the satellite network (66 satellites orbiting at 30,000 km/h, converging at poles) enabling pole-to-pole global coverage for all YB tracking devices.
• ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tracking partner for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the world's largest cruising rally. YB tracking provides live vessel tracking with approximately 1 million annual race viewer visitors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ground Control: Ground Control is YB Tracking's parent company following the 2021 amalgamation and a leading global satellite technology provider offering M2M, IoT, and asset tracking solutions. While operating at a broader enterprise/customer base, it shares the satellite telemetry technology stack and product line with YB.
• Iridium Communications: Iridium operates the 66-satellite LEO constellation that YB leverages as a Value Added Reseller. While Iridium provides the underlying network (and could compete by selling direct service to event organizers), its primary role is upstream connectivity — comparable to YB only as the broader satellite communications incumbent.

Direct peers

• Garmin: Garmin's inReach product line is a direct satellite tracker competitor, offering two-way messaging, SOS, and GPS tracking via the Iridium network to individual adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. Both companies target the off-the-grid communication and tracking use case, though Garmin's consumer retail reach and broader product portfolio dwarf YB's niche event focus.
• ACR Electronics: ACR Electronics manufactures personal locator beacons (ResQLink) and satellite communication devices for marine, aviation, and outdoor safety — directly comparable to YB's RED ALERT SOS and satellite tracking functionality in remote environments.
• ZOLEO: ZOLEO is a satellite communicator offering two-way messaging, SOS, and GPS tracking via Iridium, with consumer and enterprise use cases. It overlaps directly with YB's YB3 in features (global messaging, SOS, location sharing) but is positioned as a mass-market consumer device.
• SPOT (Globalstar): SPOT is a direct peer offering handheld satellite GPS messengers and tracking devices for outdoor adventures, using Globalstar's satellite network. Both YB and SPOT sell hardware and subscription services for personal and event-based tracking in remote areas.
• Rock Seven: Rock Seven (now part of Ground Control alongside YB Tracking) provides satellite tracking and two-way messaging solutions for maritime, land mobility, and remote asset monitoring. As YB's sister brand under Ground Control, it shares core satellite IoT technology but targets different verticals (commercial maritime vs. adventure events).

Emerging players

• McMurdo (Orolia): McMurdo produces satellite emergency beacons, EPIRBs, and search-and-rescue infrastructure used in maritime, aviation, and outdoor sectors. Comparable to YB on the SOS and tracking side, though McMurdo's focus is more on regulated distress signaling than event race tracking.
• Somewear Labs: Somewear Labs is an emerging satellite hotspot offering two-way messaging, tracking, and SOS via Iridium, targeting outdoor adventurers and small teams. It competes with YB in the individual/small-team adventure segment but lacks YB's established event-organizer relationships and race-viewer infrastructure.
• Ocean Signal: Ocean Signal manufactures satellite emergency beacons and AIS products for marine safety, including the rescueME PLB. While more focused on maritime emergencies than end-to-end event tracking, it overlaps with YB on safety-critical satellite SOS functionality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ybtracking
• Facebookfacebook.com/ybtracking
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yb-tracking-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/ybtracking

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YB Tracking