UNIVITY, a Paris-based operator of space-based connectivity services, has raised €27 million in a Series A funding round to complete its VLEO 5G demonstration program, develop its product offering for telecom operators, and prepare for industrial and commercial scale-up from 2028. The round was backed by Blast, Expansion, and the Deeptech 2030 fund managed on behalf of the French State by Bpifrance as part of the France 2030 investment plan, alongside two family offices.
In a market dominated by vertically integrated, consumer-oriented satellite constellations, UNIVITY is taking a different approach, aiming to place telecom operators back at the center of the value chain by developing a shared, neutral space infrastructure they can commercialize themselves, in the same way they operate terrestrial networks today. The company says the convergence of terrestrial and space networks is creating a global market expected to reach several tens of billions of euros by 2030, with telecom operators seeking to preserve their central role against vertically integrated models from new entrants.
UNIVITY’s platform is built around two core technological pillars. The first is its positioning in Very Low Earth Orbit, or VLEO, which enables significantly lower latency, improved performance for smartphones and connected vehicles, and rapid natural atmospheric disintegration at the end of a satellite’s operational life, contributing to orbital sustainability. The second is the use of telecom operators’ existing 5G spectrum, ensuring native integration with mobile networks and enabling seamless 5G Non-Terrestrial Network service continuity without relying on frequency bands already saturated or pre-empted by new market entrants.
The funding will support the execution of UNIVITY’s uniShape program, the first VLEO-based 5G NTN demonstrator, developed with the support of French space agency CNES. Two VLEO 5G satellites will be assembled, integrated, tested, and operated in orbit to validate an end-to-end high-throughput 5G NTN service as well as Direct-to-Cell smartphone connectivity. The demonstrator is intended to serve as a key milestone toward the eventual deployment of UNIVITY’s commercial uniSky constellation, and the company says it will demonstrate full interoperability between terrestrial and space networks within a controlled convergence framework.
Beyond the demonstrator, the funding also marks UNIVITY’s transition toward industrial and commercial scale, with the company strengthening teams across engineering, industrialization, and business development ahead of a scale-up phase set to begin in 2028. With support from CNES, UNIVITY is also accelerating the development of infrastructure designed to complement fiber and cellular networks, extend connectivity to rural and remote areas, strengthen the resilience of critical networks, and restore operators’ control over their space-based expansion. The company aims to position Europe as a key player in global hybrid connectivity.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are building the reference space infrastructure designed for telecom operators, covering the full range of connectivity needs — from ultra-high-speed broadband to direct-to-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, combining performance, competitiveness, and sovereignty.”
Charles Delfieux, Founder and CEO, UNIVITY
“UNIVITY represents an exceptional opportunity to support a breakthrough innovation that is rethinking space connectivity infrastructure. With this Series A, we are strengthening our commitment to enabling telecom operators to capture this strategic market while addressing the challenges of sustainable space usage.”
Charles Beigbeder, Co-Founder, Expansion
“We are delighted to continue supporting UNIVITY, whose globally impactful 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 fully addresses national and European sovereignty challenges in connectivity, which are at the core of our investment thesis.”
Stéphane Lefevre-Sauli, Senior Investment Director, Bpifrance
“UNIVITY is not just innovating—it is redefining the architecture of global communications. By positioning space as the natural extension of terrestrial networks, the company is already establishing itself as a pivotal player in the sector. At Blast, we support those who have the boldness and operational excellence required to build the industrial champions of tomorrow.”
Anthony Bourbon, Founder, Blast
