YB Tracking
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersBasingstoke, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
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.
YB Tracking firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Where YB Tracking is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basingstoke
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
YB Tracking business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of YB3 Handheld Tracker and YB3i Fixed Tracker devices. Devices are designed, assembled and tested in the UK.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- API Access Services: Integration services for customers with their own mapping or systems to access YB tracking data.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Bronze Level - 2 Days of Tracking |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Silver Level - 3 Days of Tracking |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Gold Level - 4 Days of Tracking |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Digital Prints - Very High Resolution |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Digital Prints - Medium Resolution |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Digital Prints - Low Resolution |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
YB Tracking product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use YB Tracking
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
YB Tracking technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature6 records
YB Tracking partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- SeaLabsminorSeaLabs (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 EventscorePartnership 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 ControlcoreYB 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 RallycoreYB 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.
- IridiumcoreYB 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)coreOfficial 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
YB Tracking competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
YB Tracking social profiles
Digital presenceYB Tracking financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YB Tracking leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
YB Tracking subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
YB Tracking funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YB Tracking M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YB Tracking
What does YB Tracking do?
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.
Is YB Tracking a public or private company?
YB Tracking is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was YB Tracking founded?
YB Tracking was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is YB Tracking based?
YB Tracking is headquartered in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does YB Tracking make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are event Rental Services, subscription Services, custom Digital Prints and API Access Services.
Who are YB Tracking's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ground Control and Iridium Communications. Direct peers are Garmin, ACR Electronics, ZOLEO, SPOT (Globalstar) and Rock Seven. Emerging players are McMurdo (Orolia), Somewear Labs and Ocean Signal.
Does YB Tracking have an API?
Yes. YB Tracking offers API access for customers who want to integrate data from their tracking products into their own mapping or systems. The homepage states: 'If you have your own mapping or systems, and want to integrate data from our products, that's OK.' No specific API documentation URL, authentication details, endpoint specifications, or rate limits are provided on the available pages.