Spain is trending worldwide, and not because it’s one of the countries that receives the most tourism, but because a Catalan company has managed to place itself on the international technology board with a major move. We’re talking about Sateliot, which has just closed a €70 million deal to bring a massive project to life: deploying a constellation of 5G satellites in low Earth orbit. Its goal is clear: to create a “Spanish Starlink,” but focused exclusively on the Internet of Things (IoT). A solution designed to connect even the most remote corner of the planet. Isn’t that amazing? Here’s everything we know about this project.
What is Sateliot?
We’re talking about a Spanish company in the NewSpace sector, founded in 2018 by Jaume Sanpera and Marco Guadalupi (CEO and CTO respectively), specializing in the development and operation of a wave of satellites in low Earth orbit that aim to provide global connectivity based on the 3GPP standard, that is, to extend coverage across the entire planet.
An unprecedented bet
The investment, which has been classified as Series B, was led by the Hyperion Fund, with a notable contribution of €10 million, and also had the backing of the Government of Spain, which recently approved a strategic investment of €13.85 million through the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT). Added to this is a €30 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), marking the first time this institution has supported a Spanish space company.
Much more than a dream
The goal is clear: to launch more than 100 satellites capable of providing 5G coverage for IoT devices worldwide, allowing sensors and smart systems to connect in sectors such as agriculture, mining, environment, transport, or energy, even in areas without traditional coverage.
Defense, strategy, and digital sovereignty; a milestone
Although the initial focus is civil and commercial, the strategic and defense component has not gone unnoticed. In an international context marked by the need for technological autonomy, Sateliot’s name has also appeared in European defense and cybersecurity plans. Its project fits as a direct complement to the future IRIS2 system, the major European satellite constellation, which is expected to be fully deployed by 2030 with a €10 billion investment (public and private).
Technological sovereignty?
With this move, Spain makes it clear that it doesn’t want to rely exclusively on other countries like the U.S. or China when it comes to space connectivity. The creation of its own network, from national soil, represents a firm step toward a more independent Europe in telecommunications.
It’s already underway!!
Sateliot’s project has already started to materialize: six satellites are in orbit, and four of them were launched last August. The company isn’t just dreaming of the future, it’s already delivering results: it has €270 million in signed contracts with over 400 clients in 50 countries and aims to reach €1 billion in revenue by 2030. Incredible!!
This Spanish startup has managed to bring together talent, investment, future, and connectivity, an incredible effort to break into the global digital landscape!