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Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France), October 14, 2024–
Constellation Technologies & Operations, a start-up developing a
constellation of satellites to empower telecom operators to deliver high-speed,
low-latency internet access from space, has secured €9.3 million in funding.
The investment comes from Expansion, which is a fund dedicated to New Space and
New Air Mobility, and the French Tech Seed fund managed by Bpifrance on behalf
of the French government, as part of the France 2030 plan in addition to its
historical investor. This funding will enable the company to conduct its first
end-to-end connectivity tests on the ground and in orbit, and complete detailed
engineering studies for the first two satellites of its constellation. Internet Access From Space: A New Opportunity for Telecom Operators in a
Market Dominated by New Entrants
The global market for high-speed, low-latency internet
from space is expanding rapidly, driven by the convergence in performance and
pricing between terrestrial and satellite connectivity for the first time in
telecommunications history. According to a 2023 GSMA Intelligence report, this
market represents a potential $35 billion annual revenue opportunity for
telecom operators by 2035.
However, this growing market is largely being captured
by new telecom entrants, particularly U.S. projects like SpaceX's Starlink and
Amazon's Kuiper, along with Chinese ambitions. These players are already
developing or operating satellite B2C constellations, with several thousands of
satellites – a number that could reach tens of thousands in the future.
To remain competitive, telecom operators need
solutions that allow them to tap into this new space-based connectivity market
and provide internet access from space, as a complement to their terrestrial
networks.
Constellation Technologies & Operations:
Empowering Telecom Operators with Space-Based Internet Connectivity
Founded in 2022 by Charles Delfieux, Constellation
Technologies & Operations aims to address this challenge by developing a
B2B2C constellation of satellites that places telecom operators at the center
of the value chain. The company's goal is to enable universal internet access,
which is essential for social and economic development, by allowing telecom
operators worldwide to offer their customers high-performance, affordable, and
sustainable internet access from space, particularly in areas where terrestrial
networks are unavailable.
Innovative
Technology Combining Very Low Earth Orbit and 5G Frequency Bands
Constellation Technologies & Operations stands out
with two key technological innovations. First, by deploying its constellation
in Very Low Earth Orbit, the company ensures high-speed connectivity with
minimal latency. It also supports a more sustainable use of space by reducing
the risks of space debris and light pollution. Second, Constellation Technologies & Operations has adopted an
innovative radio frequency strategy by repurposing telecom operators' terrestrial
5G spectrum for space-based connectivity. This approach provides operators with
alternative access to unsaturated spectrum.
Funding to Support
End-to-End Connectivity Testing and Satellites Development
The €9.3 million seed round, led by the Expansion
fund, the French Tech Seed fund managed on behalf of the French government by
Bpifrance as part of the France 2030 plan, and the company's historical
investor, will allow Constellation Technologies & Operations to achieve key
milestones. These include end-to-end testing of its space-based internet
services with a combination of orbiting payload and ground station prototypes.
The start-up employs around 30 people working across its offices in
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Toulouse, France. This funding will also
support the detailed engineering studies of the first two complete satellites,
which are scheduled for launch by end of 2026. Subsequently, the company plans
to industrialize and mass-produce the satellites, user terminals, and the
overall system, with a phased rollout of its space-based connectivity service.
Constellation Technologies & Operations expects its infrastructure to be
fully deployed by the end of the decade, offering global coverage and enabling
telecom operators to provide their customers with high-speed, low-latency
internet access from space - just as they do today with terrestrial
telecommunications networks.
Charles Delfieux,
CEO and founder of Constellation Technologies & Operations, stated: "We are
thrilled to have secured this funding, which will allow us to continue
developing our constellation and help telecom operators unlock the enormous
potential of space-based connectivity. Our mission is to bridge the digital
divide and provide universal internet access, empowering telecom operators to
serve customers even in the most remote areas."
Investor Charles Beigbeder, Co-Founder of Expansion, concluded: "Constellation Technologies & Operations
represents a unique opportunity to support disruptive innovation in space connectivity
infrastructure. Their approach ensures that telecom operators can fully
participate in this new market while addressing the environmental challenges
facing the space sector."
Claire Waché, Senior Investment Officer at Bpifrance: "We're pleased to support Constellation Technologies &
Operations, as its technological innovations around ultra-low orbit and the use
of 5G spectrum are key to enable telecoms operators to enter and compete in the
space connectivity market. This investment reflects Bpifrance's mission to
support disruptive innovation in strategic sectors".
Constellation Technologies & Operations has
already received several expressions of interest from European telecom
operators and is in advanced discussions with international operators.
To access the press kit, please click here.
***
About Expansion
Expansion Ventures is a management company dedicated
to European New Space and New Air Mobility start-ups. With a first closing
higher than 100 million euros, including 60 million of European Investment
Fund, Expansion SLP has already invested more than 20 million euros in 19
start-ups, including 6 outside France. The fund targets financing rounds
between pre-seed and Series B.
About
France 2030
·
-Reflects a dual
ambition: to sustainably transform key sectors of our economy (health, energy,
automotive, aerospace, and space) through technological innovation, and to
position France not just as a player, but as a leader in the world of tomorrow.
From fundamental research to thg le cervo dead jv etre bourré en te emergence
of an idea, to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports
the entire life cycle of innovation up to its industrialization.
·
-Is unprecedented
in its scope: 54 billion euros will be invested to ensure that our companies,
universities, and research organizations successfully complete their
transitions in these strategic sectors. The challenge: to enable them to
respond competitively to the ecological challenges and attractiveness of the
coming world, and to bring forth the future leaders of our excellence sectors.
France 2030 is defined by two cross-cutting objectives consisting of devoting
50% of its expenditures to the decarbonization of the economy, and 50% to
emerging players who are carriers of innovation without incurring
environmentally harmful expenses (in the sense of the Do No Significant Harm
principle).
·
-Will be
implemented collectively: conceived and deployed in consultation with economic,
academic, local, and European actors to determine strategic orientations and
flagship actions. Project leaders are invited to submit their applications
through open, demanding, and selective procedures to benefit from the support
of the State.
·
-Is steered by the General Secretariat for Investment on behalf of the Prime
Minister and implemented by the French Agency for Ecological Transition
(ADEME), the French National Research Agency (ANR), Bpifrance, and the Banque
des Territoires.
For further information, please visit: https://www.gouvernement.fr/france-2030 and Twitter
About Bpifrance et the French Tech Seed Fund
Bpifrance Investissement is the management company
that handles Bpifrance's equity investments. Bpifrance is the French national
investment bank: it finances businesses – at every stage of their development –
through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance
also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help
entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export...).
For more information, please visit:
https://www.bpifrance.com/ Follow us on Twitter: @Bpifrance - @BpifrancePresse
Endowed with 500 million euros, the French Tech Seed
Fund aims to support fundraising efforts of startups and innovative small
businesses less than 3 years old that are developing highly
technology-intensive innovations. As part of the "Programme d'investissements
d'avenir" (PIA), now part of France 2030, and operated on behalf of the
French government by Bpifrance and operated by Bpifrance, the fund relies on
certified business contributors who are responsible for identifying and
qualifying these young companies and connecting them with private investors.
These business contributors, guarantors of the project's technological
validity, enable public investment in the form of Convertible Bonds up to 400
million euros, in addition to capital provided by private investors. Moreover,
an additional 100 million euros are dedicated to equity investments beyond the
conversion of Convertible Bonds.
About Constellation Technologies & Operations