Univity raises €27 million to accelerate the deployment of its space connectivity

Univity, a newspace startup co-supported by SQYCub, ESA BIC and IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay, announces a €27 million Series A funding round from Blast, Expansion and the Deeptech 2030 fund managed on behalf of the State by Bpifrance as part of France 2030, as well as two family offices.

A major step for this deeptech company which aims to build the benchmark high-speed internet spatial infrastructure for telecom operators.

A technology at the service of telecom operators

Founded in 2022 by Charles Delfieux, Univity (formerly Constellation Technologies & Operations) develops a wholesale space infrastructure that enables telecom operators to offer their customers high-speed, low-latency internet access from space, complementing their terrestrial networks. Through the use of satellites in very low Earth orbit and the innovative utilization of operators' 5G spectrum, the company offers a high-performance, affordable, and sustainable solution designed for the broadband and direct-to-cell markets.

The objective is to enable telecom operators to offer connectivity services that complement terrestrial networks, particularly in areas that are not covered or are saturated, by relying on the convergence between terrestrial and space networks.

This positioning is part of a context of rapid transformation of the sector, marked by the emergence of major international players and by growing challenges of technological sovereignty.

«We are building the benchmark space infrastructure designed for telecom operators, covering all connectivity needs from ultra-high-speed broadband to direct smartphone connectivity. The convergence between terrestrial and space networks is inevitable. Our ambition is to enable operators to leverage space as a natural extension of their terrestrial 5G networks, with performance, competitiveness, and sovereignty.»

Charles Delfieux, founder and CEO

A differentiating technology: the bet on very low Earth orbit and the 5G spectrum

Univity's technological strategy is based on two key choices:

• Positioning in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), at only 375 km above the Earth, is much lower than most commercial constellations. At this distance, latency decreases, performance increases, and the satellites eventually disintegrate naturally in the atmosphere at the end of their lifespan. A constraint transformed into an argument for sustainability.
• The use of 5G spectrum already owned by telecom operators to connect its satellites to existing terrestrial networks and a continuity of 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) service, without dependence on frequency bands already saturated by new entrants.

€27 million in Series A funding to accelerate scaling up

This round of discussions is led by Blast (Anthony Bourbon's investment club), Expansion (Charles Beigbeder's deeptech aerospace and defense fund), and the Deeptech 2030 fund managed by Bpifrance as part of France 2030, alongside two family offices. This follows an initial fundraising of 9.3 million euros completed in October 2024.

The funds raised will allow Univity to reach several key milestones in its development:

• Finalize the execution of the demonstration program uniShape — the world's first 5G NTN demonstrator in very low Earth orbit, developed with the support of CNES.
• Develop a unique offering dedicated to telecom operators
• Strengthening and structuring your teams
• Preparing for industrialization and commercial deployment by 2028

In the short term, the startup plans in particular to launch its first demonstrator satellites as early as 2027, an essential step to validate the performance of its technology.

«We are delighted to continue supporting Univity, whose world-class innovations in VLEO and 5G NTN spectrum are critical to enabling telecom operators to remain competitive and independent in the space connectivity market. This investment perfectly addresses national and European sovereignty challenges in the field of connectivity, which resonate with our investment thesis.»

Stéphane Lefevre-Sauli, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance

The entire IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay team extends its warmest congratulations to Charles Delfieux and the entire Univity team for this successful Series A funding round!

To learn more about Univity: https://www.univity.global/