SWISSto12
SWISSto12 is a Swiss aerospace company that uses proprietary 3D printing to manufacture RF products and the HummingSat geostationary small satellite platform, selling to global satellite operators, governments, and aerospace primes such as SES, Viasat, Intelsat, and Lockheed Martin.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersRenens, Switzerland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SWISSto12 does
SWISSto12 SA is a Swiss aerospace company founded in 2011 as a spin-off from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) that develops radio frequency products and satellite payloads using a proprietary 3D printing (additive manufacturing) process. The company holds what it describes as the largest IP portfolio for Space RF products based on 3D printing, with over 1,000 flight-proven RF products already in orbit and more than 100 sub-systems deployed on aircraft and ships, spanning L through Q-V band performance. Its flagship product is HummingSat, the first commercial geostationary small satellite at approximately 1.5 cubic meters, marketed at up to 10x cheaper than traditional GEO satellites with software-defined reconfigurable payloads and a 15-year operational life.
SWISSto12 generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of custom-built satellites and RF sub-systems sold directly to satellite operators, government agencies, and aerospace integrators under multi-year contracts with quote-based pricing. The customer base includes established GEO operators (SES, Viasat, Intelsat, Inmarsat, Space Compass, Astrum Mobile), aerospace primes (Lockheed Martin, Thales) for AESA and SSPA co-development, and the European Space Agency as both a co-funder and validator under the HummingSat ARTES Partnership Project. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with long, relationship-driven cycles and executive-level engagement, supplemented by embedded distribution through Thales and Lockheed Martin.
The company is headquartered in Renens, Switzerland, with additional offices in Foster City (California), Washington DC, Copenhagen, and Madrid, and reported CHF 110 million in 2025 revenue with a stated 110% CAGR since 2022. SWISSto12 is privately held, has raised over €100 million cumulatively including ESA, private, and debt capital, and is reported to be considering an IPO as early as 2027.
SWISSto12 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SWISSto12
- Legal name
- SWISSto12 SA
- Website
- https://swissto12.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- SWISSto12 is a Swiss aerospace company that uses proprietary 3D printing to manufacture RF products and the HummingSat geostationary small satellite platform, selling to global satellite operators, governments, and aerospace primes such as SES, Viasat, Intelsat, and Lockheed Martin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SWISSto12 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite & RF Hardware Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33422), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG), RF & Microwave Connectors and Coaxial Assemblies (HDAHAOAD), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)
Keywords
Where SWISSto12 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Renens
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
SWISSto12 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Manufacturing and Sales: Design, manufacture, and sale of geostationary small satellites (HummingSat platform) to global satellite operators. Revenue recognized upon delivery of satellites.
- RF Products and Sub-systems: Sale of Radio Frequency products and sub-systems for space, satcom (on-the-move), and material characterization (MCK) applications. Over 1,000 products already in orbit and over 100 sub-systems deployed on aircraft and ships.
- Advanced Payload Solutions: Custom payload development and integration services including Active Electronically Steerable Antennas (AESAs) and solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom satellite manufacturing and RF product solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
SWISSto12 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SWISSto12 designs, manufactures, and sells 3D-printed Radio Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems — including antennas, RF filters, and waveguides — for space, satcom-on-the-move, and material characterization applications, alongside the HummingSat geostationary small satellite platform developed in partnership with ESA. Its primary customers are global satellite operators, government/sovereign customers, and aerospace integrators purchasing custom-built hardware on multi-year contracts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HummingSat: Compact geostationary telecommunications satellite platform developed in partnership with ESA, designed to be a smaller, more cost-efficient alternative to legacy GEO satellites with software-defined reconfigurable payloads.
Products and services
- HummingSat Geostationary Small Satellite Platform Compact geostationary telecommunications satellite platform (HummingSat®) designed for satellite operators, government/sovereign buyers, and aerospace integrators seeking a smaller, cost-efficient alternative to legacy GEO satellites. Approximately 1.5 cubic meters in size with a 15-year operational lifespan and software-defined reconfigurable payloads. Seven platforms currently in production for clients including SES, Viasat, Intelsat, Space Compass, and Astrum Mobile.
- RF Products for Space
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 10x cheaper than traditional geostationary satellites
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SWISSto12
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SWISSto12 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SWISSto12 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- HPS/LSS (High Performance Space Structure Systems & Large Space Structures)coreGerman consortium contracted to develop large deployable reflector subsystem (LDRS) for NEASTAR-1 mission on HummingSat platform. Enables world's first direct-to-device media broadcasting from GEO orbit. Contract co-funded by ESA and German Space Agency DLR.
- Space CompasscoreJapanese joint venture between NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT contracted SWISSto12 to build first optical relay spacecraft using HummingSat platform. Satellite will enable high-speed optical data relay between LEO and GEO for real-time Earth observation. Delivery expected by end-March 2029.
- ThalescoreCollaboration on Active Electronically Steerable Antennas (AESAs) for airborne, land, and maritime platforms. Thales provides planar beamformers, BFICs, and interconnection solutions. Also developing solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) for HummingSat missions.
- Lockheed MartinmajorAerospace partner with long-term relationship. SWISSto12 provides RF products and components integrated into Lockheed Martin systems.
- ViasatcoreCustomer for HummingSat satellites and active electronically steerable antennas. Viasat CTO cited ground-breaking technology as reason for partnership.
- SEScoreFirst HummingSat launch planned for SES in 2027. Long-term satellite operator customer.
- IntelsatmajorMajor customer with GEO satellite contracts using HummingSat platform.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SWISSto12 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Terran Orbital: Small-satellite bus and payload manufacturer serving commercial and government customers. Direct peer because both build complete small spacecraft platforms with integrated RF/payload subsystems, competing for similar operator and integrator contracts.
- York Space Systems: Manufactures standardized small satellite platforms and turnkey space missions for government and commercial operators. Comparable to SWISSto12 as another growth-stage smallsat prime competing in the same procurement market.
- GomSpace: Denmark-based small satellite manufacturer and supplier of RF subsystems/communications payloads. Comparable to SWISSto12 in offering both complete small satellites and specialized RF hardware for space.
Broad incumbents
- Airbus Defence and Space: Europe's largest GEO satellite prime and SWISSto12 competitor for major operator contracts (SES, Intelsat). Incumbent offering full-size Eurostar Neo/Airbus GEO platforms and broader space portfolio against which HummingSat is positioned as a lower-cost alternative.
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European GEO satellite manufacturer (Thales/Leonardo JV) and existing SWISSto12 collaboration partner on AESAs. Overlapping as a full GEO prime while also partnering on specific RF subsystems.
- Maxar Technologies: Leading GEO satellite bus and payload manufacturer (now private). Comparable as a Western GEO prime competing for the same operator programs that HummingSat targets.
- Northrop Grumman Space Systems: US GEO and small-sat manufacturer with established operator relationships. Incumbent peer across both GEO satellite manufacturing and selected RF/payload work that overlaps with SWISSto12.
- Ball Aerospace: Builds small-to-medium spacecraft buses and RF/antenna subsystems for commercial and government customers. Overlaps with SWISSto12 in space-grade RF components and payload integration.
Emerging players
- Kymeta: Developer of flat-panel satellite communications antennas for on-the-move and fixed applications. Emerging peer in the same satcom RF/antenna market where SWISSto12 sells AESAs and RF products.
- ThinKom Solutions: Specialist in phased-array and mechanically steered antennas for airborne, maritime, and ground satcom. Adjacent competitor in on-the-move RF products that overlap with SWISSto12's RF Satcom portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
SWISSto12 social profiles
Digital presenceSWISSto12 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SWISSto12 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
SWISSto12 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SWISSto12 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds12 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SWISSto12 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SWISSto12
What does SWISSto12 do?
SWISSto12 designs, manufactures, and sells 3D-printed Radio Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems — including antennas, RF filters, and waveguides — for space, satcom-on-the-move, and material characterization applications, alongside the HummingSat geostationary small satellite platform developed in partnership with ESA. Its primary customers are global satellite operators, government/sovereign customers, and aerospace integrators purchasing custom-built hardware on multi-year contracts.
Is SWISSto12 a public or private company?
SWISSto12 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SWISSto12 founded?
SWISSto12 was founded in 2011. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is SWISSto12 based?
SWISSto12 is headquartered in Renens, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does SWISSto12 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Satellite Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are RF Products and Sub-systems and advanced Payload Solutions.
Who are SWISSto12's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Terran Orbital, York Space Systems and GomSpace. Broad incumbents are Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman Space Systems and Ball Aerospace. Emerging players are Kymeta and ThinKom Solutions.
Does SWISSto12 have an API?
No public API is recorded for SWISSto12.
What industry is SWISSto12 in?
SWISSto12's product category is Satellite & RF Hardware Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of HDAIAJAG, Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.