Sateliot raises $100m to launch 5g satellite constellation
Barcelona-based Sateliot, a specialist in low-orbit satellite connectivity, has secured a €100 million Series C funding round to accelerate the deployment of its 5G constellation. The announcement, made during a visit by Digital Transformation and Public Function Minister Óscar López to the company’s headquarters, signals a significant push into global connectivity.
Scaling up: a bold investment for european space leadership
The equity-focused round, with potential for additional debt financing, is slated for completion this summer. Sateliot, currently boasting pre-contracts totaling €270 million and a customer base of over 400 across 60 nations – including strategic partnerships with Telefónica and Deutsche Telekom – is actively seeking a lead investor and remains open to participation from existing shareholders.
Crucially, the capital will primarily fund the launch of 16 satellites, designed to unlock the full potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) and serve as a demonstrator for 5G New Radio Technology, encompassing voice, video, and data transmission. Six satellites are already operational, with an additional five scheduled for deployment in 2026.
Spanish innovation gains momentum
Hydra Space’s recent launch of a ‘pocket satellite’ and ongoing tests of critical communications highlights the burgeoning Spanish space sector. This funding injection underscores the government’s commitment to fostering domestic satellite capabilities, exemplified by Sateliot’s integrated design, assembly, and control processes – all ‘Made in Spain’.
The investment is bolstered by support from a consortium of prominent investors, including Indra, Cellnex, Sepides (SEPI), Banco Santander, the Spanish Technology and Innovation Society (SETT), Hyperion, and Global Portfolio Investments, alongside backing from the European Investment Bank, which previously financed the company’s initial Technology deployment and growth.
“Sateliot embodies Spanish digital sovereignty and European ambition,” stated Minister López. “We are proud to support a Catalan project that harnesses the full lifecycle of ‘Made in Spain’ satellites.”
CEO Jaume Sanpera emphasized that this Series C round directly addresses the company’s current scale and trajectory. “This is our largest funding round to date,” he explained, “and it will dramatically accelerate the deployment of our constellation and enable us to execute commercial operations on a global scale. We are confident that this robust investor support will solidify a European infrastructure for 5G satellite connectivity.”