Sateliot’s co-founder and CEO Jaume Sanpera, born in Manresa in 1966, believes his team is still discovering the full range of what their technology can do. Over six years they built it largely without external billing, driven by a shared conviction. They have secured 350 customers across multiple locations in 50 countries. These partners will provide connectivity, while Sateliot discovers practical uses for connecting devices and even animals, often in surprising ways. With a 5G framework in place, the company has helped in everything from locating a stray cow in a field to monitoring mango shipments arriving from Colombia. The contracts with diverse customers have reached into the hundreds of millions of euros even before the first commercial launch.
The technology behind Sateliot is the backbone of the Internet of Things (IoT). The promise is clear: devices anywhere on the globe can connect through sensors, thanks to satellites. The company emphasizes that its satellites are central to its model. Four satellites are planned for launch before summer, with launch dates not fully disclosed. They have announced a 10:30 a.m. departure time for technical reasons, aiming to lift off from Vandenberg in California. The goal is to connect seven million devices in the first phase, marking a decisive move into commercial operations. The strategy concentrates on extending coverage beyond major cities to rural and underserved areas, at accessible prices.
New aviation industry
Satellites are redefining the traditional model. The firm seeks to stand apart from the classic aerospace approach that relies on costly, bulky satellites. Its mission aligns with New Space, an evolution in the sector that aims to democratize space access. A satellite telecommunications network can be deployed internationally with relatively modest investments, according to Sanpera.
In conversations about the industry, the figure of Elon Musk and SpaceX often arises as a reference point for sparking a broader debate about space colonization. Sanpera notes that the landscape has shifted: major operators now face heightened competition because satellites can be deployed by more players. Previously, large operators would sell most of their services before launch; that model is increasingly challenged by new entrants.
Public investment
Advancement in this sector requires robust public support. The United States remains a leading investor, but several European nations, including France, Italy, and Portugal, have also committed substantial resources. Sanpera highlights that investment levels in Spain lag behind those in some peers. He emphasizes that this is a global industry with everyone competing on a large scale.
Sateliot’s approach centers on lighter, smaller satellites. Measuring 20 by 10 by 30 centimeters and weighing around 10 kilograms, they are compact enough to fit in a microwave oven yet capable of distinct performance advantages. Production timelines are dramatically shorter than in the past: what once took 15 years can now be achieved in roughly 12 months. Satellites will orbit closer to Earth at about 500 to 600 kilometers, which lowers launch costs. Each satellite has a five-year useful life, a reminder that technology moves quickly and today’s solution may need revision tomorrow. After missions, satellites are decommissioned to prevent space debris.
Sanpera explains that the old model was highly integrated, with satellites, antennas, and systems built end-to-end by a single company. The current approach uses modular components, with batteries, control systems, and solar panels sourced from specialized partners. This shift reduces costs through economies of scale. Two satellites have already been launched for testing, and the company asserts they meet expectations.
Galician DNA
The founders aim to position Sateliot as a Spanish leader on the global stage within this renewed sector. The company operates with headquarters in both San Diego and Barcelona, while the first generations of satellites originate from Pontevedra in collaboration with Alén Space, a spin-off from the University of Vigo focused on the design, production, and operation of small satellites. Some essential testing is conducted at the Carlos III University in Madrid.
Marco Guadalupi, born in Brindisi, Italy, in 1974, serves as co-founder and CTO. A telecommunications engineer, he is described as a close partner and friend. Since joining in 2018, the duo has grown the team to 55 people, more than half of them engineers. Many staff members are young and motivated, with several Spaniards taking opportunities abroad and then returning, sometimes accepting reduced salaries for long-term growth.
€25 million at stake
The project began with private capital from the two founders, later accumulating 25 million euros in total funding, including a 13.5 million euro last year. A 6 million euro loan from Banco Santander accompanied other rounds, and 2.5 million came from a convertible note. The Generalitat of Catalonia, through the public company Avançsa, provided additional support. A seed round of €2.5 million preceded a €10 million Series A. This year, a Series B is anticipated to accelerate the commercial phase, with the exact amount kept private in the context of ongoing negotiations and potential public financing opportunities. The company notes that it engages with banks, public administrations, venture capital, family offices, and business angels in its funding activities.
Almost all of Sateliot’s capital is Spanish. Three major partners hold stakes: Indra with about 10.5%, Sepides (a SEPI-owned group) at 4.69%, and Cellnex at 3.5%. The company projects revenue of €500 million in 2027 and €1,000 million in 2030, with EBITDA above 60%. Such figures position Sateliot as a potential new unicorn in Spain.
Sateliot’s plan
Sanpera outlines a plan centered on real-time connectivity. The initial phase will launch four satellites this year that emit one or two messages per day from space. The choice of four satellites is driven by calculations that this minimum configuration provides global coverage. In practice, one message per day may suffice for certain applications like tracking a fishing net, while more frequent updates are needed for others. Sectors prioritized include agriculture, livestock, and fishing, with a focus on rural areas. Connectivity is framed as a basic right essential for development; without digitization, these regions risk being left behind in global progress.
Sateliot envisions twelve satellites entering space in 2025 to form the constellation, enabling hourly Earth-to-device messaging. By 2026, sixty satellites will extend coverage, rising to 108 satellites between 2027 and 2028. Each satellite costs roughly €700,000 to produce and about €300,000 to launch. The goal is a scalable system where sensors on customers’ devices can be mass-produced and deployed quickly. The NB-IoT technology used delivers low-speed, low-power, and affordable connectivity. The company asserts that this scalability is achievable precisely because customers can buy sensors from a wide range of suppliers, with a typical price around €10 per sensor.
Curious applications
Real-world use cases illustrate the potential. In the maritime sector, sensors on containers at sea would simplify locating lost cargo and could reduce insurance costs by lowering risk. Another example involves wildlife protection, where NGOs track animals such as vultures in forests and the Amazon to prevent poaching and monitor populations. With sensors, it becomes cheaper and more efficient to locate animals that roam across large areas.
No half measures
Sateliot’s founder’s track record includes significant milestones in telecommunications and satellite ventures since 2001, notably with Eurona, a company that leverages satellite technology. The core challenge remains the need for upfront investment. Yet in IoT, Sanpera argues, only a handful of satellite constellations will be necessary worldwide. The company presents itself as a pioneer in operating a low Earth orbit 5G constellation for IoT, with a vision to democratize access to the sector. Sanpera predicts a binary outcome: either the project scales to a trillion-euro turnover, or it does not. The road ahead is ambitious, but the team is intent on turning potential into tangible results.