France-based satellite startup Univity closed a €27 million funding round, bringing total funding to €68 million. The company plans to deploy 3,400 very low earth orbit (VLEO) satellites to reduce European dependence on Elon Musk's Starlink.
Univity, backed by the French state, is positioning itself as Europe's answer to Starlink's dominance in satellite internet. The startup's constellation of 3,400 VLEO satellites represents a significant infrastructure investment aimed at establishing sovereign European connectivity.
The funding round underscores Europe's strategic push for technological independence in critical sectors. The European Union has been increasingly concerned about reliance on U.S.-based providers for space-based internet services, particularly given geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities.
VLEO satellites operate at lower altitudes than traditional satellites, enabling lower latency and faster data transmission—key competitive advantages in the satellite internet market. Univity's approach directly mirrors Starlink's model, though with European ownership and operational control.
The company now holds €68 million in total funding as it advances toward satellite production and deployment. Success would mark a significant milestone in Europe's broader effort to develop indigenous space capabilities and reduce external dependencies.
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