Connected

What Connected does

Connected (legal entity SIMPLYCONNECTED, LDA) is a Portugal-based satellite IoT connectivity provider founded in February 2023 in Coimbra, which built and operated a proprietary narrowband IoT connectivity platform from Low Earth Orbit before being acquired by Open Cosmos in 2026, where it now operates as the parent's dedicated IoT connectivity unit under the ConnectedCosmos brand. The company's product stack comprises three core offerings: a Hosted Payload Platform that hosts narrowband IoT payloads on partner satellites using standardised 5G NB-IoT and mioty protocols; a modular, autonomous, platform-agnostic IoT Payload Gateway that enables direct device-to-satellite communication across multiple satellite architectures; and a Satellite IoT Connectivity Service delivering global, low-bandwidth, low-power connectivity for remote and underserved areas.

The technology is positioned to reduce the cost and complexity of space-based communications by leveraging standardised protocols rather than proprietary waveforms, enabling integration with terrestrial mobile networks through hybrid architectures. Connected generates revenue through subscription-based satellite IoT connectivity services sold to enterprises (livestock monitoring, precision agriculture, autonomous shipping, smart mobility, ocean infrastructure) and governments (wildfire prevention, forest monitoring, defence, marine protected areas, humanitarian assistance), with mobile network operators serving as a channel for extending coverage into underdeveloped regions. Pricing is quote-based with annual billing cadence, and no public tiers are disclosed. Distribution operates through direct enterprise field sales, direct government and defense engagement, and reseller partnerships with national mobile operators — anchored by strategic alliances with EchoStar Mobile, Fraunhofer, and Portugal's New Space Portugal Agenda.

The company evolved from a research-driven idea to a commercially operational platform within two years, secured a €2 million pre-seed round in February 2024 (led by FundBox, Iberis Capital, and Shilling VC with participation from Amena Ventures, Grow, and Octopus Ventures), supplemented by non-dilutive PRR and EU funding totaling over €1.7 million across the Launching Connected, New Space Portugal, and CTE projects, and was acquired by UK-based Open Cosmos in 2026 to anchor Open Cosmos' IoT strategy.

Name

Connected

Legal name

SIMPLYCONNECTED, LDA

Website

https://connected.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Connected (SIMPLYCONNECTED, LDA) provides standardized satellite-based narrowband IoT connectivity from Low Earth Orbit using 5G NB-IoT and mioty protocols, serving enterprises, governments, and mobile operators with affordable connectivity for remote and underserved areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite IoT Connectivity

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite IoT & Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Connectivity (LPWAN over Satellite) (HDAIAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Direct-to-Device (D2D) / NTN Cellular (Satellite-to-Handset, NB-IoT NTN) (HDAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Satellite IoT connectivity
• Narrowband IoT platform
• LEO satellite communications
• 5G NB-IoT networks
• Space-based IoT services

Headquarters

HQ city

Coimbra

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Satellite IoT Connectivity Services: Connected provides satellite-based IoT connectivity services for enterprises and governments, offering narrowband connectivity optimized for low-cost, low-power solutions. Revenue is generated through subscription-based connectivity services for IoT devices deployed in remote areas worldwide.
2. Space Infrastructure Solutions: As part of Open Cosmos, Connected integrates IoT payload technology into satellite platforms, potentially generating revenue through technology licensing and integration services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Connected provides satellite-based narrowband IoT connectivity from Low Earth Orbit satellites using a proprietary Hosted Payload Platform built on standardized 5G NB-IoT and mioty protocols. The offering delivers affordable, low-power, low-bandwidth connectivity for IoT devices deployed in remote and underserved areas, integrated through an IoT Payload Gateway and a subscription-based Satellite IoT Connectivity Service sold to enterprises, governments, and mobile operators.

Product overview

Connected is a space-based IoT connectivity company offering a unified platform comprising its proprietary Hosted Payload Platform and IoT Payload Gateway. The platform provides standardised, affordable narrowband IoT connectivity from Low Earth Orbit satellites, enabling direct device-to-satellite communication for a wide range of use cases including livestock monitoring, precision agriculture, wildfire prevention, and maritime operations. The technology is built on 5G NB-IoT and mioty protocols and integrates with terrestrial mobile networks through hybrid architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hosted Payload Platform
• IoT Payload Gateway
• Satellite IoT Connectivity Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Connected is developing a service for millions of IoT devices being deployed on remote areas where 11% of the World has no cellular coverage
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EchoStar MobilecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Strategic partnership with EchoStar Mobile for satellite IoT connectivity services, combining capabilities to provide enhanced connectivity solutions for enterprises and governments.
• FraunhofercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Strategic partnership with Fraunhofer for technical development and integration of satellite IoT technology, leveraging Fraunhofer's research capabilities in communications technology.
• National Mobile Network OperatorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration with a national mobile network operator to define and validate an end-to-end hybrid architecture enabling seamless data exchange between IoT devices, satellite payloads, and terrestrial IoT platforms.
• New Space Portugal ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in the New Space Portugal Agenda, a national strategic initiative strengthening Portugal's position in the space sector through development of advanced satellite systems and innovative downstream services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Astrocast: Swiss operator of a LEO nanosatellite constellation providing direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity for asset tracking, agriculture, and remote monitoring — the closest direct competitor in low-bandwidth satellite IoT.
• Sateliot: Spanish LEO satellite IoT operator using 5G NB-IoT NTN standards — a near-clone of Connected's technology thesis, targeting NB-IoT direct-to-satellite for mass-market IoT devices.
• Fleet Space Technologies: Australian satellite IoT provider focused on mining, agriculture, and defense with its own LEO constellation — directly comparable in target verticals and connectivity model.
• Myriota: Australian low-power satellite IoT connectivity provider serving agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring — comparable scale, use cases, and LPWAN-over-satellite positioning.
• Kepler Communications: Canadian operator of a LEO satellite data constellation offering store-and-forward IoT and broadband services — comparable in serving enterprise and government customers with narrowband connectivity from LEO.

Broad incumbents

• Iridium Communications: Established L-band satellite operator with a global IoT service (Iridium Edge, Certus) — broad incumbent offering overlapping low-bandwidth IoT connectivity at premium price points.
• EchoStar Mobile: Pan-European satellite IoT/M2M service provider using S-band spectrum — relevant as both a Connected partner and a broader-incumbent competitor in European satellite IoT.

Emerging players

• OQ Technology: Luxembourg-based 5G NB-IoT NTN satellite operator pursuing direct-to-device narrowband IoT — emerging competitor with comparable 3GPP NTN standardization strategy.
• Swarm Technologies (SpaceX): Low-cost LEO satellite IoT network for low-bandwidth two-way messaging, now part of SpaceX — emerging low-cost IoT connectivity competitor with deep backing.
• Hiber (now part of Magnitude.io): Dutch startup offering low-cost satellite IoT connectivity for remote industrial monitoring — adjacent European startup with comparable target market and LPWAN-style service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInpt.linkedin.com/company/connectedspace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connected