French SpaceTech Startup UNIVITY Secures €31 Million Funding

As part of the project, TDF will manage the setup and operation of three major gateway stations two in mainland France and one overseas. These stations are essential for ensuring that UNIVITY’s satellite network works seamlessly with existing ground-based telecom systems.

"We are proud to have the support of France 2030 for this project, which represents a true strategic milestone for us. This recognition validates both our expertise and our vision of converging terrestrial and space networks. Our entire team is fully committed to this challenge, ready to deliver with enthusiasm, ambition, and determination," said Véronique Bonnet, Programme Director at UNIVITY.

UNIVITY (formerly Constellation Technologies & Operations), founded in 2022, is building a satellite constellation using Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) and telecom operators’ 5G spectrum.

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This enables telecom networks to deliver fast, low-latency internet access from space, complementing existing terrestrial systems with affordable and sustainable solutions.

Just six months after securing €9.3 million in funding, UNIVITY launched its first regenerative 5G mmWave space payload in June 2025. It has also entered strategic partnerships with TDF and ESA.

Looking ahead, UNIVITY plans to launch two prototype satellites in 2027, with full constellation deployment scheduled between 2028 and 2030.

Selected under France’s 2030 space initiative, UNIVITY and TDF will conduct a live demonstration of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), combining VLEO satellites with ground-based infrastructure, making it a pioneering French-designed solution. The project receives €31 million in CNES funding, plus additional co-financing from UNIVITY, totalling a €44 million contract.

"Thanks to France 2030 funding, CNES is supporting UNIVITY in preparing, through the in-orbit demonstration ‘uniShape,’ a satellite-based 5G-NTN service designed to meet the needs of terrestrial operators. UNIVITY’s ‘uniSky’ constellation aims to deliver a distinctive French solution for high-speed space-based 5G-NTN connectivity, serving both consumer and professional users, built on innovative concepts and breakthrough technologies" said Caroline Laurent, Director of Orbital Systems and Applications, CNES.

"This project is a key milestone for TDF, underscoring our ability to integrate the space dimension into our telecom infrastructure offering. By combining our field expertise, local presence, and technological know-how, we are actively contributing to the emergence of a hybrid, resilient, and sovereign connectivity model driven by French players," emphasised Jean-Louis Mounier, Managing Director of TDF’s TowerCo Business Unit.

TDF is a neutral and open infrastructure operator that helps digital players tackle key connectivity challenges across mainland France and overseas territories. With over 50 years of experience and 8,600 active sites TDF supports telecom and media companies in connecting people and regions across the nation.

"Space is the new frontier for telecommunications," concluded Charles Delfieux, President of UNIVITY.

About UNIVITY

UNIVITY is a startup on a mission to launch a groundbreaking satellite constellation that helps telecom operators deliver high-speed, low-latency internet in areas where traditional networks can’t reach offering a more sustainable and affordable connectivity solution for underserved regions.