DDK Positioning
DDK Positioning is a UK-based provider of GNSS Precise Point Positioning augmentation services, delivering sub-5cm positioning accuracy globally via the Iridium LEO satellite network to enterprise clients in offshore energy, maritime, agriculture and defence.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAberdeen, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DDK Positioning does
DDK Positioning is a UK-based provider of GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) augmentation services, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland. Its core offering, the DDK MAX correction service, delivers PPP corrections globally via the Iridium low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation using the Iridium Burst service. This architecture enables sub-5cm positioning accuracy worldwide and supports a positioning holdover of more than 10 minutes during communication outages, addressing the equatorial signal-loss and signal-masking limitations of traditional geostationary-earth-orbit (GEO) based augmentation. The service draws on a proprietary network of 100+ globally distributed reference stations and processes all major GNSS constellations (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) through an algorithm that uses approximately 99% less data than conventional GEO-based PPP delivery.
The product suite consists of three integrated components: the DDK X3 transceiver and DDK X3 GNSS receiver (hardware), the DDK MAX subscription-based correction service, and the DDK Vision software for positioning data visualisation and management. Hardware is delivered through OEM and reseller partnerships (notably Topcon Positioning Systems supplying boards, antennas and receivers), while the correction service operates on a recurring subscription model. DDK serves enterprise customers in four verticals: offshore energy, maritime, agriculture and defence. Distribution relies on a hybrid model combining direct enterprise sales with channel partnerships, including an exclusive maritime agreement with Oceaneering International (which transitioned its legacy C-NavC3 correction service to the C-NavLEO service powered by DDK's technology) and channel relationships with NSSLGlobal and Charity & Taylor.
DDK Positioning Ltd operates as a privately held UK company. It has secured two undisclosed strategic investments — from Iridium Communications in May 2021 and from Topcon Positioning Systems in April 2023 — both of which also serve as commercial platform partnerships. For FY2024/25 the company reported its first seven-figure turnover alongside a profit, with management describing the period as a record financial milestone. Industry recognition includes the 2025 National Technology Awards 'Innovation of the Year' and a 'Highly Commended' Innovation Award at the 2025 Lloyd's British Business Excellence Awards. Leadership comprises founder and CEO Kevin Gaffney, Managing Director Alexander 'Fred' Stockton, CIO David Mackay, Finance Director Caroline Smith, Operations Director Simon Canning, Commercial Director Stuart Inglis, and a board seat held by Iridium's Vice President of Positioning, Navigation and Timing, Rohit Braggs.
DDK Positioning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DDK Positioning
- Legal name
- DDK Positioning Ltd
- Website
- https://ddkpositioning.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DDK Positioning is a UK-based provider of GNSS Precise Point Positioning augmentation services, delivering sub-5cm positioning accuracy globally via the Iridium LEO satellite network to enterprise clients in offshore energy, maritime, agriculture and defence.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DDK Positioning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- GNSS Augmentation Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dynamic Positioning (DP) Systems (IMAJAJAD)
Keywords
Where DDK Positioning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aberdeen
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DDK Positioning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- GNSS Correction Services (MAX Service): Subscription-based PPP augmentation service providing global precise positioning. Delivers accuracy to better than 5cm using Iridium satellite network. Clients include Oceaneering for maritime applications.
- Hardware Products: Sale of DDK-X3 GNSS transceiver and DDK-X3 GNSS receiver hardware to customers. Hardware is sold alongside the MAX correction service for complete positioning solutions.
- Software Products: DDK-Vision software for positioning data visualization and management.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
DDK Positioning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DDK Positioning delivers a GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) augmentation service via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation, providing sub-5cm global positioning accuracy for offshore energy, maritime, agriculture, and defence sectors. The offering combines a subscription-based correction service (DDK MAX), GNSS receiver hardware (DDK X3), and visualization software (DDK Vision), supported by a proprietary network of 100+ reference stations and resilient operation during communication outages.
Product overview
DDK Positioning delivers a unified GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) solution via the Iridium LEO satellite network. The product suite consists of hardware components (DDK X3 Transceiver and DDK X3 GNSS Receiver), a correction service (DDK MAX), and software (DDK Vision). Together, these products provide military-grade positioning accuracy to within 5cm globally, leveraging a proprietary network of 100+ reference stations for correction generation. The solution supports two-way communication capabilities, operates pole-to-pole, and maintains positioning for up to 10 minutes during communication outages, serving offshore energy, maritime, agriculture, and defence sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DDK X3 Transceiver Hardware transceiver device used as part of DDK Positioning's GNSS solution, enabling communication via the Iridium satellite network for delivering PPP corrections to end users.
- DDK X3 GNSS Receiver GNSS receiver hardware that works in conjunction with the DDK correction service to achieve sub-5cm positioning accuracy for demanding offshore, maritime, agriculture, and defence environments.
- DDK MAX Correction Service Premium GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) correction service delivering better than 5cm global accuracy via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation, using a proprietary network of 100+ globally distributed reference stations for optimal corrections.
- DDK Vision Software Software component of DDK Positioning's solution suite, providing visualization and management capabilities for GNSS positioning operations across various sectors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Better than 5cm positioning accuracy globally
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DDK Positioning
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DDK Positioning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DDK Positioning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Topcon Positioning SystemscoreTopcon made a strategic investment in DDK Positioning and entered into an OEM agreement to supply GNSS hardware components (boards, antennas, and receivers). Topcon hardware is used to deliver DDK's MAX services to clients globally. The partnership combines Topcon's 20+ years of experience in precise positioning hardware with DDK's PPP software and service capabilities.
- Oceaneering InternationalcoreOceaneering signed an exclusive service agreement with DDK Positioning for the provision of GNSS augmentation service and all associated software and hardware supporting Oceaneering's C-Nav Positioning Solutions. DDK provides its MAX service to Oceaneering clients in the marine energy sector. The partnership transitioned Oceaneering's legacy C-NavC3 correction service to the new C-NavLEO service powered by DDK technology.
- NSSLGlobalmajorNSSLGlobal entered a strategic alliance with DDK Positioning to incorporate enhanced GNSS solutions into their service offering. NSSLGlobal, an award-winning satcom and IT solutions provider, adds DDK's technology to their navigation and communication portfolio to provide greater location accuracy and spoofing detection/mitigation to their customers.
- Charity & TaylorminorCharity & Taylor (C&T), a marine electronics company, entered a strategic alliance with DDK Positioning to enhance their service offering globally with DDK's enhanced GNSS positioning solutions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DDK Positioning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- u-blox: u-blox provides GNSS chips, modules, and correction services (PointPerfect) for industrial and automotive applications. Comparable to DDK because it offers an integrated PPP correction service with hardware, though its service is more terrestrial/internet-delivered than LEO satellite.
- Trimble Inc. Trimble is a broad incumbent in GNSS positioning offering CenterPoint RTX PPP correction services and a wide portfolio of positioning hardware. Comparable to DDK because it sells global PPP corrections to enterprise customers in agriculture, construction, and offshore, though as part of a much larger portfolio rather than a dedicated LEO-based correction specialist.
- Fugro: Fugro provides offshore positioning and GNSS correction services (Starfix, Fugro Marinestar) to marine survey, offshore energy, and hydrography customers globally. Comparable to DDK because it sells high-accuracy correction services to the same offshore survey and maritime customer base, though typically bundled with broader marine survey services.
- Hexagon (NovAtel): Hexagon's NovAtel division provides TerraStar and Oceanix PPP correction services alongside OEM GNSS receivers. Comparable to DDK because it offers subscription-based precise positioning globally to offshore, maritime, and agriculture customers, though typically delivered via GEO satellites rather than LEO.
Direct peers
- Septentrio: Septentrio designs and manufactures high-precision GNSS receivers and offers correction services for industrial and survey applications. Comparable to DDK because it provides high-accuracy GNSS positioning hardware to similar enterprise verticals including marine and offshore.
- Topcon Positioning Systems: Topcon is both a strategic investor in DDK and a direct peer, producing high-precision GNSS receivers, antennas, and correction services (Topnet Live) for agriculture, surveying, and construction. It is comparable because it sells the same PPP correction + hardware bundle to overlapping global enterprise customers, but is also DDK's exclusive OEM hardware partner.
- Veripos: Veripos provides GNSS augmentation and PPP correction services to offshore, marine, and survey customers worldwide. Directly comparable to DDK because it offers subscription precise positioning to the same maritime and offshore energy verticals using similar GEO satellite delivery.
Regional players
- Oceaneering International: Oceaneering is DDK's exclusive maritime channel partner and operates C-Nav Positioning Solutions built on DDK technology. Comparable as a peer-adjacent because it resells DDK's PPP corrections to offshore energy customers and competes in marine positioning services with other GNSS providers.
Emerging players
- Swift Navigation: Swift Navigation provides Skylark precise positioning correction services and GNSS receivers for automotive, robotics, and mobile applications. Comparable to DDK because it offers subscription-based PPP corrections globally, though focused more on automotive and robotics than offshore/defence.
Others
- Iridium Communications: Iridium is DDK's strategic investor and exclusive satellite network partner providing the LEO constellation backbone for DDK's PPP delivery. It is comparable as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor, since Iridium's positioning PNT business is delivered through partners like DDK.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DDK Positioning social profiles
Digital presenceDDK Positioning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DDK Positioning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DDK Positioning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DDK Positioning 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 DDK Positioning
What does DDK Positioning do?
DDK Positioning delivers a GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) augmentation service via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation, providing sub-5cm global positioning accuracy for offshore energy, maritime, agriculture, and defence sectors. The offering combines a subscription-based correction service (DDK MAX), GNSS receiver hardware (DDK X3), and visualization software (DDK Vision), supported by a proprietary network of 100+ reference stations and resilient operation during communication outages.
Is DDK Positioning a public or private company?
DDK Positioning is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was DDK Positioning founded?
DDK Positioning was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DDK Positioning based?
DDK Positioning is headquartered in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does DDK Positioning make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. GNSS Correction Services (MAX Service) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Products and software Products.
Who are DDK Positioning's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are u-blox, Trimble Inc., Fugro and Hexagon (NovAtel). Direct peers are Septentrio, Topcon Positioning Systems and Veripos. Oceaneering International is listed as a regional player. Swift Navigation is listed as an emerging player. Iridium Communications is listed as an others.
Does DDK Positioning have an API?
No public API is recorded for DDK Positioning.
What industry is DDK Positioning in?
DDK Positioning's product category is GNSS Augmentation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAC, GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems, with a secondary code of IMAJAJAD, Dynamic Positioning (DP) Systems. Its NAICS code is 51741.