ICube-SERTIT
ICube-SERTIT is the technology and services platform of the ICube laboratory at the University of Strasbourg, providing 24/7 satellite-based rapid mapping and thematic Earth observation analytics for civil protection, defense, insurance, and space agency clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersIllkirch-graffenstaden, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ICube-SERTIT does
ICube-SERTIT (Service Régional de Traitement d'Image et de Télédétection) is the technology and services platform of the ICube laboratory at the University of Strasbourg, France. Founded in 1986 and operating from Illkirch-Graffenstaden, the platform delivers satellite imagery processing and Earth observation analytics primarily to government and institutional clients. Its core offering is a Rapid Mapping Service that produces crisis maps within six hours of receiving satellite data and operates 24/7/365 in support of disaster response, supported by Charter and Copernicus Emergency Management Service activations.
The technical stack combines optical and SAR satellite data ingestion across Sentinel-1/2/3, SPOT, PlanetScope, Pléiades, COSMO-SkyMed, RADARSAT-2, and TerraSAR-X with proprietary operational tools — INFLOS for sub-30-minute flood depth estimation, ExtractEO (MLP-based water detection), FLORIA (AI urban flood detection from radar), and the open-source EOReader Python library. A read-only REST API exposes the activation catalogue in GeoJSON. Service offerings span thematic applications (flood, fire, water, forestry, regional/urban planning, security and defense) and multilingual custom training in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Revenue is generated through professional services contracts (emergency cartography, thematic mapping, training) supplemented by European research project funding (INTERREG, ESA, CNES programs). The client base is concentrated in civil protection agencies, defense and security organizations (including French Ministry of Armies, SATCEN, COGIC), space agencies (CNES, ESA), and an emerging commercial insurance relationship (Descartes Underwriting). The platform holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (continuously since 2011) and is embedded as a trusted operator within the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.
ICube-SERTIT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ICube-SERTIT
- Legal name
- ICube-SERTIT
- Website
- https://sertit.unistra.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ICube-SERTIT is the technology and services platform of the ICube laboratory at the University of Strasbourg, providing 24/7 satellite-based rapid mapping and thematic Earth observation analytics for civil protection, defense, insurance, and space agency clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ICube-SERTIT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD), Disaster Response & Search and Rescue (SAR) (BPADADAA), Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR) (BPAGAAAA)
Keywords
Where ICube-SERTIT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Illkirch-graffenstaden
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ICube-SERTIT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rapid Mapping Services: Emergency cartography services delivered 24/7/365 to civil protection services, defense agencies, and international organizations during crisis events. Revenue generated through service contracts and activation fees for Charter and Copernicus programs.
- Custom Training Services: Bespoke training programs in remote sensing, GIS, image processing, and automation delivered in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. Training offered at SERTIT or client premises using open-source tools.
- Thematic Application Services: Specialized mapping and analysis services including flood modeling, fire assessment, forest monitoring, territorial planning, water resources analysis, and security/defense applications delivered to institutional and commercial clients.
- European Research Projects: Funding from European cooperation programs including INTERREG (FUSION project), ESA projects (DRAGON 5, SWOT Cal/Val, Climate Change Initiative), and international space cooperation initiatives.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ICube-SERTIT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ICube-SERTIT provides regional image processing and remote sensing services built around a 24/7/365 Rapid Mapping Service that produces crisis and emergency geo-information within 6 hours of receiving satellite imagery. The organization delivers thematic geoinformation applications for floods, fires, water resources, forestry, territorial planning, and security/defense, and offers bespoke training in geomatics, GIS, remote sensing, and image processing. Operations rely on proprietary tools (INFLOS, ExtractEO, FLORIA) and the open-source EOReader Python library to process optical and SAR satellite data from constellations such as Sentinel, SPOT, Pleiades, COSMO-SkyMed, RADARSAT-2, and TerraSAR-X.
Product overview
ICube-SERTIT is a technology and services platform of the ICube laboratory at the University of Strasbourg. Its offering is organized around three core pillars: a Rapid Mapping Service (24/7/365 emergency response), Thematic Applications (sector-specific geoinformation for flooding, fires, water, forestry, urban planning, and security/defense), and Custom Training. These are underpinned by proprietary operational tools including INFLOS for rapid flood depth estimation, ExtractEO for automated water surface extraction, FLORIA for AI-based urban flood detection from radar imagery, and EOReader, an open-source Python library for multi-sensor satellite data loading. A public REST API provides read-only access to the rapid mapping catalogue in GeoJSON format. The company also participates in international initiatives including the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, Copernicus Emergency Management Service, ESA Living Planet Symposium, and the DRAGON 5 cooperation program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- INFLOS (INterpolated FLOod Surface): A rapid operational tool developed by SERTIT for estimating flood depths from Earth Observation data in under 30 minutes.
- ExtractEO
- EOReader
- FLORIA
Products and services
- Rapid Mapping Service
Quantifiable outcome
- Maps delivered within 6 hours of receiving crisis satellite imagery
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ICube-SERTIT
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
ICube-SERTIT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability7 records
Feature8 records
ICube-SERTIT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreOver 30 years of collaboration with French Space Agency. SERTIT supports CNES in International Charter operations as Charter Project Manager, producing value-added satellite imagery during catastrophic events. During CNES Charter presidency (Oct 2025-Apr 2026), SERTIT strengthens operational support and hosted 54th Charter meeting and 25th anniversary celebrations.
- International Space University (ISU)minorPresentation of SERTIT activities to Charter members during 54th Charter meeting and 25th anniversary celebrations in Strasbourg. Afternoon visit to SERTIT and ISU facilities.
- ESA (European Space Agency)coreActive participation in ESA Living Planet Symposium 2025. DRAGON 5 project collaboration between ESA, NRSCC (China), and MOST (China) for water surface monitoring. Involvement in SWOT Cal/Val, Climate Change Initiative, and ESA EO4SDG Forest project. ESA Ambition Aval project for TRISHNA and CO3D mission data preparation.
- Descartes UnderwritingcorePartnership with new generation global corporate insurer for SEVERIT3D project developing enhanced fire severity products using thermal infrared and very high-resolution 3D data. Collaboration combining satellite imagery analysis with insurance risk assessment for innovative products.
- INTERREG France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen (FUSION Project)coreFUSION project supported by European cross-border cooperation program aiming to strengthen coordination and sustainable water management in transboundary Lys River basin. SERTIT leads methodology development combining 2D hydraulic modeling and satellite imagery for flood extent and depth analysis.
- NASA HarvestcoreCollaboration with NASA Harvest consortium for rapid agricultural assessment and food security monitoring. Worked with RAAPS team from ICube-TRIO laboratory on Kakhovka dam collapse analysis, providing satellite-based agricultural impact assessment for Ukraine.
- SYMSAGELminorPartnership with Territorial Basin Establishment for flood prevention and water resource management in Lys river basin. Systematic satellite cartography for flood events affecting Lys plain communities.
- DRAGON 5 Consortiummajor4-year ESA project with National Remote Sensing Centre of China and Ministry of Science and Technology China. Focus on water surface and wetland monitoring, water quality, biodiversity analysis. European partners include Max Planck Institute, Università degli Studi di Siena, IREA-CNR, LEGOS, IETR, Rennes University, and International Crane Foundation.
- CNES, CS Group, vorteX-io, Hydro Matters, CLS, Noveltis, LEGOSmajorMain partners for water resource applications including SWOT altimetry validation, satellite altimetry integration, and automated water detection algorithm development. Combined satellite imagery with spatial altimetry for operational characterization of continental water resources.
- INTERREG Greater Region Regiowood IIminorCross-border cooperation project in Greater Region for sustainable forest management and regional development.
- SATCEN (EU Satellite Centre)coreGEOINT operations support for European Union Satellite Centre providing satellite imagery analysis for security operations.
- COGIC (Centre Opérationnel de Gestion Interministerielle des Crises)coreSupport for French interministerial crisis management center through rapid mapping and emergency cartography services.
- International Charter on Space and Major DisasterscoreAs a pioneer in rapid mapping, SERTIT has supported the Charter since its first activations, producing value-added satellite imagery products during catastrophic events and serving as Charter Project Manager. Nearly 260 Charter activations across 91 countries in over 25 years.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ICube-SERTIT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GAF AG: Munich-based geospatial services provider active in Copernicus EMS Rapid Mapping and Charter activations, offering comparable thematic EO services to civil protection and international clients.
- e-GEOS: Italian joint venture between Telespazio and ASI that operates a Rapid Mapping Service under the International Charter and Copernicus EMS — the closest direct competitor to SERTIT in Charter activations and emergency mapping products.
- DLR Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI): German Aerospace Center unit providing 24/7 rapid mapping products for International Charter and Copernicus activations — SERTIT's primary Charter/Copernicus co-producer with overlapping service scope and similar academic-agency heritage.
- SIRS (Stratégie Ingénierie et Réalisation de Services): French EO services firm also contracted into Copernicus Emergency Management Service Rapid Mapping — a domestic peer competing for the same CEMS contract pool as SERTIT.
Broad incumbents
- Airbus Defence and Space – Intelligence: Owner/operator of SPOT, Pléiades, and TerraSAR-X constellations and a listed SERTIT training customer; broader EO portfolio that overlaps SERTIT's rapid mapping and thematic applications but at significantly greater scale.
- Telespazio: Italian space services prime (parent of e-GEOS) operating across satellite operations, EO services, and defense GEOINT — a broad incumbent offering overlapping rapid mapping capability as part of a much larger portfolio.
- Maxar Technologies: US-listed commercial satellite operator (WorldView, GeoEye) and EO analytics provider with substantial emergency response and defense GEOINT contracts — competes for the same defense/insurance buyers SERTIT serves but with vertically integrated assets.
Emerging players
- Planet Labs: Commercial operator of a high-revisit PlanetScope constellation offering daily imagery and analytic feeds; emerging direct substitute for SERTIT's change-detection and thematic monitoring use cases, especially where AI-driven analytics are layered on top.
- BlackSky: US-listed provider of tasking, monitoring, and AI-enabled analytics on a proprietary smallsat constellation — an emerging commercial alternative for time-sensitive GEOINT and disaster monitoring traditionally served by SERTIT.
- ICEYE: Finnish SAR smallsat operator delivering frequent, on-demand radar imagery — an emerging player whose SAR data directly competes with SERTIT's Sentinel-1/COSMO-SkyMed/RADARSAT-2-based flood and ground-deformation services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ICube-SERTIT social profiles
Digital presenceICube-SERTIT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
ICube-SERTIT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ICube-SERTIT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ICube-SERTIT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ICube-SERTIT 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 ICube-SERTIT
What does ICube-SERTIT do?
ICube-SERTIT provides regional image processing and remote sensing services built around a 24/7/365 Rapid Mapping Service that produces crisis and emergency geo-information within 6 hours of receiving satellite imagery. The organization delivers thematic geoinformation applications for floods, fires, water resources, forestry, territorial planning, and security/defense, and offers bespoke training in geomatics, GIS, remote sensing, and image processing. Operations rely on proprietary tools (INFLOS, ExtractEO, FLORIA) and the open-source EOReader Python library to process optical and SAR satellite data from constellations such as Sentinel, SPOT, Pleiades, COSMO-SkyMed, RADARSAT-2, and TerraSAR-X.
Is ICube-SERTIT a public or private company?
ICube-SERTIT is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was ICube-SERTIT founded?
ICube-SERTIT was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ICube-SERTIT based?
ICube-SERTIT is headquartered in Illkirch-graffenstaden, France, in the Europe region.
How does ICube-SERTIT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Rapid Mapping Services are the primary driver. The others are custom Training Services, thematic Application Services and european Research Projects.
Who are ICube-SERTIT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GAF AG, e-GEOS, DLR Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) and SIRS (Stratégie Ingénierie et Réalisation de Services). Broad incumbents are Airbus Defence and Space – Intelligence, Telespazio and Maxar Technologies. Emerging players are Planet Labs, BlackSky and ICEYE.
Does ICube-SERTIT have an API?
Yes. A read-only REST API providing access to ICube-SERTIT's catalogue of rapid mapping activations and products, returning GeoJSON-formatted responses. The full public catalogue is accessible at https://sertit.unistra.fr/wp-json/rms/v1/actions. Individual activation details, product lists, and product details are accessible via nested endpoints: /actions/$action_id, /actions/$action_id/products, and /actions/$action_id/products/$product_id. Can be consumed via browser, command-line tools (curl), or JavaScript libraries such as Leaflet. Developer documentation is at sertit.unistra.fr/wp-json/rms/v1/actions.
What industry is ICube-SERTIT in?
ICube-SERTIT's product category is Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAM, Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms, with a secondary code of EUAHAKAD, Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing). Its NAICS code is 541360 and its SIC code is 7374.