Univity Secures $32M Series A to Launch 5G‑Ready VLEO Satellites Aiming for a 1,600‑Strong Constellation

Univity has secured approximately $32 million in Series A funding. This investment directly supports the deployment of two 5G demonstrator satellites. These prototypes will operate in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), an altitude typically below 450 kilometers, where atmospheric drag is higher but signal latency is significantly lower for communication.

The French startup aims to extend 5G coverage from space, helping telecom operators serve unreached areas globally. These initial demonstrators, weighing 350 kilograms each, will test interoperability between terrestrial and space networks. Two spacecraft are necessary to validate optical inter-satellite links and routing algorithms essential for the future constellation's performance.

Each demonstrator carries a hybrid regenerative payload designed for both broadband and direct-to-device (D2D) services. This technology allows the satellites to process signals onboard before relaying them, enhancing connectivity efficiency. Univity deployed its first payload last year, beginning tests for services using cellular partners' spectrum to support future D2D capabilities.

Univity plans an initial constellation of at least 1,600 satellites. This target represents an increase from its previous projection of 1,500 spacecraft. The company maintains the potential to scale this constellation to 3,400 satellites, aiming for broader global coverage for integrated space and terrestrial networks.

This funding addresses national and European challenges concerning connectivity sovereignty. Bpifrance, a French investment firm, co-led this initiative through a fund managed on behalf of the French government. This aligns with Bpifrance's investment thesis focusing on strategic independence in communication technologies, which views Univity’s innovations as critical for competitive telecommunications.

The Series A funding specifically supports the development of the UniShape prototypes ahead of ramping up industrial production from 2028. These prototypes are largely representative of the satellites planned for mass production, setting the stage for wide-scale deployment. Watch for the operational launch of Univity's VLEO demonstrators and the subsequent build-out of its 1,600-satellite constellation, which could reshape future global 5G connectivity.