Stellar - Powering the Future of Connected Vehicles, One Signal at a Time.

Company & Team Introduction

Stellar Telecommunications, founded in May 2021, is a European startup headquartered in Bordeaux, France, with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, and Stuttgart. The company aims to provide seamless broadband connectivity for vehicles by integrating telecommunications, automotive, and space technologies. The founding team comprises:​

• Damien Garot (CEO): Over 25 years in satellite and telecom industries, with significant business development experience at Eutelsat and Thales.​

• Anela Boese (CCO): Former Director of Connected Cars at Porsche and VP at Deutsche Telekom, bringing over 20 years in automotive software and connectivity.​

• Hassan Aouisse (CTO): More than 20 years in telecommunications and space sectors, with roles at iDirect and Alcatel Space.

Stellar’s experienced leadership has attracted a team of ~20 talented employees, positioning the company at the forefront of connected vehicle technology.

Product Overview

Stellar offers a suite of products to enhance vehicle connectivity:

• 2STEER – AI-Powered Connectivity SaaS: A software-only platform that optimizes multi-network connectivity in vehicles by orchestrating cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite connections. It predicts signal drops and switches networks proactively, requiring no hardware modifications. ​

• M2M – Global IoT Connectivity Plans: Provides globally roaming data SIM cards/eSIMs with access to major networks, offering flexible data plans without minimum volume commitments. ​

• GLOBBLE – Plug-and-Play Device: A hardware solution delivering instant high-speed internet in vehicles or remote locations. It connects to the best available networks automatically and requires no installation, ideal for fleet operators and remote operations. ​

• SURVEY – Connectivity Mapping Service: Provides data-driven mapping and analysis of internet quality along road networks, aiding decision-makers in identifying connectivity strengths and gaps.

Market Opportunity

• Expanding Connected Vehicle Market: The global connected car market, valued at ~$80–95 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $386 billion by 2032, driven by increasing consumer demand for in-transit connectivity and advancements in vehicle technology.

• Rising Need for Ubiquitous Coverage: About 40% of roads lack adequate broadband connectivity, creating major challenges for autonomous driving, fleet management, and in-vehicle entertainment, highlighting a significant opportunity for solutions ensuring seamless internet access.

• Technological Convergence Driving Demand: The shift towards 5G, AI-driven network management, and low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite networks (e.g., Starlink) presents new opportunities for hybrid connectivity solutions that blend cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks.

• Economic Impact of Downtime: Businesses operating connected fleets (e.g., logistics, public transport) face significant revenue losses due to poor network reliability. Solutions like Stellar’s can mitigate these losses by ensuring up to 99% uptime connectivity.

Business Model & Traction

Stellar operates a B2B model with multiple revenue streams spanning software, hardware, and connectivity services:

• SaaS Licensing for Automotive OEMs & Tier-1 Suppliers
  STEER, Stellar’s AI-powered connectivity software, is offered as a per-unit or annual subscription to automakers and suppliers. It enhances vehicle connectivity through a software upgrade, with OEMs paying a licensing fee per connected vehicle or a flat enterprise subscription.

• Hardware & Connectivity Bundles for Fleet Operators
  GLOBBLE, Stellar’s plug-and-play connectivity device, is sold with a one-time hardware cost and recurring data plans. Ideal for logistics, emergency services, and remote teams needing reliable internet. Customers pay for devices plus a monthly or usage-based connectivity plan.

• Global IoT Data Services (M2M)
  M2M offers globally roaming SIM cards/eSIMs, connecting IoT devices to 420 cellular and 18 satellite networks. Customers pay for data usage with no minimum volume commitments, with scalable pricing from 1MB/month to 1TB/day.

• Custom Connectivity Mapping Services (SURVEY)
  SURVEY provides real-world connectivity analysis for infrastructure players. Stellar creates Quality-of-Service (QoS) maps to guide network investments. Pricing is project-based, scaling with survey area, timeline, and data refresh frequency.

  Traction

• Geographic Expansion & Network Access
  Operating in 16+ countries, with agreements across 420 mobile networks and 18 satellite providers for near-global coverage. Unlike single-carrier competitors, Stellar offers carrier-agnostic, multi-network connectivity.

• Technology & AI Data Training
  Over 220 million real-world data points collected by 2024, improving STEER’s predictive switching and reducing network dropouts.

• Strategic Backing & Industry Partnerships
  Backed by European car manufacturers and investors like Elewit (Spain’s Redeia Group), Primo Space Fund, and Alchimia Investments. Supported by EU grants from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

• Proof of Concept & Industry Validation
  First vehicle connected simultaneously to cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks (May 2022). Conducted Tour de France 2023 connectivity survey, revealing 37 minutes of every hour lacked broadband coverage — highlighting market demand.

• Growth Trajectory
  Projected 3× YoY revenue growth over the next three years, driven by expanding deployments and strategic partnerships.

Competitors

Stellar operates in a competitive environment with various players:

• Multi-Network Aggregation Devices: Companies like Icomera and Peplink offer hardware that combines multiple cellular links to improve connectivity. Stellar differentiates itself with a software-centric approach that integrates directly into vehicles' existing systems and intelligently orchestrates across cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks.​

• Satellite Internet Providers: Providers such as SpaceX's Starlink and OneWeb offer satellite-based internet services. Stellar's approach complements these by integrating satellite connectivity with terrestrial networks, ensuring seamless coverage.​

• Vehicle Connectivity Startups: Startups like DriveU.auto focus on connectivity for teleoperated driving. Stellar distinguishes itself by offering a broader scope, aiming to service all in-vehicle connectivity needs for passengers, fleet operators, and services.

Funding

Stellar has raised approximately €9.3 million (~$10 million) in combined equity and grant funding. The latest funding round, completed in October 2024, was led by Elewit, the technology innovation arm of Spain’s grid operator Redeia, with participation from Primo Ventures and Alchimia Investments. Additionally, Stellar has support from a leading EU car manufacturer, underscoring strategic backing from the automotive industry. The company has also secured non-dilutive funding from the French region Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), reflecting confidence in its vision from both investors and industry partners.