The satellite television industry in Benelux provides essential broadcasting services, connecting viewers with diverse content through satellite technology. Companies in this sector range from established telecom giants to innovative startups, each offering unique programming and distribution solutions. Notable offerings include various channels and on-demand services delivered via satellites, ensuring wide accessibility across urban and rural areas. The industry shows promising growth, driven by advancements in content delivery and an increasing demand for high-quality broadcasts. With new players entering, innovation in satellite communication is expected to enhance user experiences and extend coverage even further into underserved regions.


The investors listed here represent a cross-section of the investment landscape in the satellite television sector within Benelux. This group includes corporate giants, venture capital firms, and public entities. Many firms are headquartered in major hubs like Luxembourg and Brussels, with founding years ranging from established names like Sofina in 1898 to newer entrants like OTB Ventures in 2017. Notably, their engagement has led to a plethora of transactions totaling numerous deals in 2024, reflecting a robust interest in developing satellite technology and expanding content distribution.


Top 14 Satellite Television Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in significant transactions related to satellite technology, such as the funding awarded to NanoAvionics, KSAT, and Antwerp Space, which received €10 million for the demonstration of the Global Internet of Things (GIoT) nano-satellite constellation. This funding is crucial for advancing satellite technology and commercialization. Additionally, the EIC has supported other technology ventures through grants and seed funding, indicating its commitment to fostering innovation in areas that may intersect with satellite television.


2. SES Satellites

  • Website: ses.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Betzdorf, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: ses

SES S.A. is a prominent satellite telecommunications provider based in Betzdorf, Luxembourg, founded in 1985. The company specializes in a variety of services, including video broadcast and data connectivity solutions, catering to sectors such as broadcasting, government, and maritime. SES operates a fleet of over 70 satellites in geostationary and medium Earth orbits, ensuring global coverage for its customers. Notably, SES has been involved in significant transactions, including the acquisition of SES Networks in 2016 for $730 million, which enhanced their capabilities in satellite communications. More recently, SES announced its acquisition of U.S.-based Intelsat for $3.1 billion, expected to close in 2025, which will create the world's largest satellite services provider and further strengthen their position in the satellite television industry.


3. Kpn

  • Website: kpn.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: kpn

KPN is a leading telecommunications provider based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1989. The company offers a wide range of services, including fixed and mobile telephony, internet, and television, catering to both consumers and businesses. KPN is known for its reliable network and comprehensive service offerings. In recent years, KPN has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its service portfolio, including the acquisition of Solcon in 2017, a Dutch internet service provider that also offers TV services. This acquisition aligns with KPN's strategy to strengthen its position in the television market. Additionally, KPN's acquisition of Kabeltex in December 2023 further demonstrates its interest in expanding its television and connectivity services, reinforcing its role in the satellite television sector.


4. Altice Group

  • Website: altice.net
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: altice-group

Altice Group, founded in 2001 and based in Luxembourg, is a major telecommunications and mass media company that provides internet, TV, and phone services across Western Europe, Israel, the United States, and the Caribbean. The company has made significant investments in the media sector, including the acquisition of Portugal's Media Capital Group, which includes the commercial channel TVI, enhancing their presence in the television market. Additionally, Altice's acquisition of a 60% stake in the French OTT startup Molotov demonstrates their commitment to expanding their media offerings and content production capabilities. These transactions highlight Altice's strategic focus on enhancing its television services, including satellite television, making it a relevant player in this industry.


5. United Group B.V.

  • Website: united.group
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: united-group-b.v.

United Group B.V. is a corporate investor based in Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2000. The company is a prominent telecommunications and media provider in Southeast Europe, offering a comprehensive range of services that include television, internet, landline, and mobile telephony. United Group has a significant customer base comprising both consumers and businesses, who rely on their services for connectivity and access to media content. In recent years, United Group has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its media offerings, including the acquisition of Bulsatcom, a satellite television provider, in February 2024. This acquisition is part of their strategy to strengthen their position in the satellite television market. Additionally, they acquired Telemach Hrvatska in 2019, Optima Telekom in 2021, and NOVA Broadcasting Group in 2020, all of which contribute to their media and telecommunications portfolio, further emphasizing their commitment to the satellite television sector.


6. NewSpace Capital


NewSpace Capital is a private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018, specializing in growth investments within the space industry. The firm focuses on deep-tech companies that address global challenges, providing both investment management and strategic support. NewSpace Capital operates across various market segments, including Earth observation and telecommunications, catering primarily to businesses in the space technology sector. Notable transactions include a significant investment in Cailabs, which raised €26 million to expand its laser communications and optical ground station business, directly linking to satellite communications. They also invested in ICEYE, a company known for its satellite technology, and have participated in funding rounds for other space-related ventures, reinforcing their commitment to the satellite and telecommunications sectors.


7. OTB Ventures

  • Website: otb.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: otb-ventures

OTB Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in deep-tech startups, focusing on sectors such as SpaceTech, AI, FinTech, and CyberSecurity. OTB Ventures has been actively involved in the satellite technology sector, notably through their investments in ICEYE, a leading provider of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, which has raised significant funding across multiple rounds (Series B, C, and D) to expand its satellite constellation and enhance its NatCat solutions. Additionally, OTB Ventures led a seed funding round for Kurs Orbital, an Italian spacetech startup, which aims to advance satellite technology. These transactions highlight OTB Ventures' strategic focus on the satellite industry, making them a notable investor in this space.


8. DPG Media Nederland

  • Website: dpgmediagroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: dpg-media-nl

DPG Media Nederland is a corporate investor based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, and is part of the DPG Media Group, a media company specializing in publishing news and entertainment content across various platforms. Founded in 2009, DPG Media operates in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, providing a range of media solutions, including advertising services. In December 2023, DPG Media announced the acquisition of RTL Nederland for 1.1 billion euros, aiming to strengthen its position in the television and streaming market. This acquisition is particularly relevant as RTL Nederland operates several television channels that are distributed via satellite, indicating DPG Media's strategic interest in the satellite television sector. Additionally, DPG Media has been involved in other acquisitions, such as Wikipower, but the RTL Nederland acquisition is the most pertinent to the satellite television context.


9. Eureka Network


Eureka Network is a not-for-profit organization based in Etterbeek, Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1985. It specializes in facilitating international cooperation in research and development (R&D) and innovation. Eureka offers various funding programs, including Eurostars and Globalstars, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research organizations, and universities in their R&D projects. In recent years, Eureka has been involved in several transactions relevant to the satellite industry, providing grants to companies such as Addvalue Technologies, Alba Orbital, Sanzar Group, and SpaceChain. Notably, Alba Orbital and SpaceChain are engaged in satellite technology, which aligns with the satellite television sector. By providing access to public funding and personalized advice, Eureka helps its customers expand into new markets and collaborate on innovative solutions, including those in the satellite domain.


10. United Media


United Media is a corporate media company based in Luxembourg, founded in 2013. It operates primarily in Southeast Europe, providing a diverse range of services that include television broadcasting, digital content distribution, and original content production. The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its television offerings, such as the acquisition of Pink BH and Pink M, national television channels in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, aimed at improving programming quality for subscribers. In 2021, United Media further expanded its portfolio by acquiring TV Vijesti, a significant player in the regional television landscape. Additionally, they acquired a 50% stake in Emsa Media, a digital hub in Greece, which operates popular online portals. These transactions highlight United Media's commitment to strengthening its position in the television broadcasting sector, particularly in satellite television.


11. Fortino Capital


Fortino Capital is a venture capital and growth equity firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in B2B software companies, providing them with funding and strategic support to help them grow and scale effectively. In addition to their primary focus, Fortino Capital has been involved in significant transactions in the telecommunications sector, such as the acquisition of Melita Plc, a leading telecommunications operator in Malta, and Cabovisão, which they acquired alongside Apax Partners France. These investments highlight Fortino Capital's engagement in the telecommunications industry, which is closely related to satellite television services, showcasing their broader interest in the media and communications landscape.


12. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is an investment company based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1898. It specializes in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. Sofina partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina has been involved in significant transactions within the satellite television context, including a $460 million investment in SES Networks during a Series H funding round in December 2015, and a $12.75 million investment in a venture round for SES Networks in October 2012. These transactions highlight Sofina's active role in the satellite telecommunications industry, reinforcing its position as a relevant investor in this space.


13. Noshaq

  • Website: noshaq.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Belgium
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: noshaq-be

Noshaq is a venture capital investment fund based in Belgium, founded in 1985. The firm specializes in providing financial solutions and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the province of Liege. Noshaq focuses on funding, project structuring, and business development, particularly in sectors such as biotech and sustainable development. In 2022, Noshaq participated in a significant Series B funding round for Aerospacelab, which raised €40 million to enhance satellite production capacity and deploy satellite constellations for Earth monitoring. This investment highlights Noshaq's involvement in the satellite industry, showcasing its commitment to fostering growth and innovation in sectors that intersect with satellite technology. Other transactions include investments in companies like Veoware, Onoff, and YouScribe, although these are less relevant to the satellite television context.


14. Adara Ventures

  • Website: adara.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: adara-venture-partners

Adara Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005, that specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies across Europe. The firm partners with visionary founders in sectors such as cybersecurity, digital health, and data applications, providing them with the necessary resources and strategic support to scale their businesses effectively. Notably, Adara Ventures has been involved in several transactions relevant to the satellite television context, including a recent investment in SatVu, which raised $12,677,228 in a venture round in November 2024. Additionally, they have a history of investments in Cambridge Broadband Networks, which has raised significant funding over the years, indicating their engagement in telecommunications technologies that may overlap with satellite communications. This diverse investment portfolio showcases Adara Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative technology solutions, including those in the satellite television space.



Satellite Television Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
SES SatellitesBetzdorf, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg1001-500019852
KpnRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+19892
Altice GroupLuxembourg10001+20010
United Group B.V.Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands10001+20001
NewSpace CapitalLuxembourg11-5020183
OTB VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020176
DPG Media NederlandAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands5001-1000020090
Eureka NetworkEtterbeek, Brussels, Belgium11-5019851
United MediaLuxembourg1001-500020130
Fortino CapitalAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium11-5020139
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
NoshaqBelgium11-50198511
Adara VenturesLuxembourg11-5020055


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