Unseenlabs is a French technology company founded in 2015 that builds a satellite constellation for space-based radio frequency (RF) detection, specializing in geolocating vessels—even "dark vessels" that disable AIS transponders—by capturing their electromagnetic signals from orbit.[1][2][3] It serves governments, maritime companies, and military entities by providing real-time RF data, analytics, and intelligence reports to combat illegal fishing, enhance territorial surveillance, and improve ocean safety, addressing visibility gaps in exclusive economic zones where traditional systems like AIS, SAR, or optical imaging fall short.[2][3][4] With over 120 staff, €112.5M raised, and 19 satellites in orbit as of late 2025, Unseenlabs demonstrates strong growth, including recent launches like BRO-20 and BRO-17, and partnerships such as with S&P Global.[2][4][5]
Unseenlabs was founded in 2015 in Rennes, France, by the Galic brothers: Clément Galic (CEO, software engineer expert in critical space and air traffic systems), Jonathan Galic (CTO, signals intelligence specialist in Earth observation and defense satellites), and their brother Benjamin (business attorney who encouraged the venture).[2][3][5] Jonathan identified a market gap in private-sector SIGINT for maritime surveillance, as existing systems failed to monitor vast ocean areas prone to illegal activities like fishing or smuggling.[2][5] Early traction came from a €7M first funding round, rapid satellite deployments starting in 2019 via partners like GomSpace and SpaceX, and recognition as a European leader in RF geolocation, evolving from maritime focus to broader RF intelligence applications.[2][3][6]
Unseenlabs stands out in maritime surveillance through these key strengths:
Unseenlabs rides the wave of NewSpace proliferation and rising demand for persistent Maritime Domain Awareness amid geopolitical tensions, illegal fishing (affecting 30%+ of global catches), and supply chain disruptions.[3][4][5] Its timing aligns with nanosatellite cost reductions (via rideshares like SpaceX) and RF spectrum monitoring needs, filling gaps in cooperative tracking systems vulnerable to evasion.[1][3][6] Market forces like EU maritime security mandates, UN sustainability goals, and private sector needs for asset protection favor its growth, influencing the ecosystem by enabling data fusion platforms, sovereign intel for nations, and tools for insurers/commodity traders—pioneering civilian SIGINT from space.[2][4][7]
Unseenlabs is poised to expand its constellation to 25+ satellites, deepen multi-domain RF applications (e.g., air/land emitters), and grow via partnerships like S&P Global, targeting €200M+ revenue through government contracts and enterprise analytics.[2][4][5] Trends like AI-driven RF fusion, sovereign space tech, and ocean governance will accelerate its trajectory, potentially evolving it into a global GEOINT leader. This positions Unseenlabs to illuminate the "unseen" maritime shadows, transforming ocean transparency from Rennes to worldwide waters.[3][5]
