# Top 50 Telecom Startups Worldwide by Funding (2026)

> The 50 best-funded telecom startups worldwide, ranked by total funding raised: $34B combined. With founding year, headquarters and each company's rounds.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/telecom-startups (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

- 1 [**Digital Edge**](https://millionrounds.com/company/digital-edge) *Founded* - Singapore **$2.8B** last round May 2026
- 2 [**Open Fiber** Italian telecommunications company which operates wholesale in the optical fiber infrastructure market.](https://millionrounds.com/company/open-fiber) Italian telecommunications company which operates wholesale in the optical fiber infrastructure market. *Founded* 2015 Milan, Italy **$2.5B** last round Aug 2021
- 3 [**Optimum Communications** Optimum is dedicated to becoming the preferred connectivity provider in every community](https://millionrounds.com/company/optimum-communications) Optimum is dedicated to becoming the preferred connectivity provider in every community *Founded* - Bethpage, United States **$2.0B** last round Nov 2025
- 4 [**Lumentum** Lumentum Operations is an optical and photonic products manufacturer.](https://millionrounds.com/company/lumentum) Lumentum Operations is an optical and photonic products manufacturer. *Founded* 2015 Milpitas, United States **$2.0B** last round Mar 2026
- 5 [**CesiumAstro** CesiumAstro is an aerospace and defense startup based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2017.](https://millionrounds.com/company/cesiumastro) CesiumAstro is an aerospace and defense startup based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2017. *Founded* 2017 Austin, United States **$1.8B** last round Nov 2026
- 6 [**EXA Infrastructure** EXA Infrastructure is the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform in Europe, linking North America and Asia via the Middle East.](https://millionrounds.com/company/exa-infrastructure) EXA Infrastructure is the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform in Europe, linking North America and Asia via the Middle East. *Founded* 2021 London, United Kingdom **$1.5B** last round Oct 2025
- 7 [**Airtel Africa** Airtel Africa is a telecommunications company that offers mobile voice and data services.](https://millionrounds.com/company/airtel-africa) Airtel Africa is a telecommunications company that offers mobile voice and data services. *Founded* - India **$1.4B** last round Dec 2022
- 8 [**Terrion** Terrion creates secure and sustainable communication infrastructure to enable nationwide connectivity and digital growth.](https://millionrounds.com/company/terrion) Terrion creates secure and sustainable communication infrastructure to enable nationwide connectivity and digital growth. *Founded* - Montréal, Canada **$1.3B** last round Sept 2025
- 9 [**Astranis** Astranis designs, builds, and operates the world’s most advanced high orbit satellites for sovereign connectivity.](https://millionrounds.com/company/astranis) Astranis designs, builds, and operates the world’s most advanced high orbit satellites for sovereign connectivity. *Founded* - United States **$1.2B** last round Sept 2026
- 10 [**Slack** Screenhero lets users screen share any application with anyone, no matter where they are.](https://millionrounds.com/company/slack) Screenhero lets users screen share any application with anyone, no matter where they are. *Founded* 2013 Mountain View, United States **$1.2B** last round Aug 2018
- 11 [**Kokusai Electric Corporation** Kokusai Electric Corporation provides information communication systems internationally.](https://millionrounds.com/company/kokusai-electric-corporation) Kokusai Electric Corporation provides information communication systems internationally. *Founded* 2017 Tokyo, Japan **$945M** last round Jun 2026
- 12 [**HyperSat** HyperSat is a developer of hyperspectral imaging satellites.](https://millionrounds.com/company/hypersat) HyperSat is a developer of hyperspectral imaging satellites. *Founded* - United States **$935M** last round Sept 2018
- 13 [**Digital InfraCo** Digital InfraCo is a regional data center business of Singtel.](https://millionrounds.com/company/digital-infraco) Digital InfraCo is a regional data center business of Singtel. *Founded* 2016 Singapore, Singapore **$807M** last round Sept 2023
- 14 [**Open Cosmos** Open Cosmos is a UK-based space technology company that specializes in end-to-end satellite mission services.](https://millionrounds.com/company/open-cosmos) Open Cosmos is a UK-based space technology company that specializes in end-to-end satellite mission services. *Founded* 2015 Didcot, United Kingdom **$737M** last round Oct 2026
- 15 [**Lumilens** Lumilens addresses the red hot market for AI data center infrastructure by designing, manufacturing and selling photonic interconnect solutions.](https://millionrounds.com/company/lumilens) Lumilens addresses the red hot market for AI data center infrastructure by designing, manufacturing and selling photonic interconnect solutions. *Founded* 2024 San Jose, United States **$709M** last round Aug 2026
- 16 [**Cologix** Cologix operates 3 Central Ohio enterprise-grade data centers offering the densest interconnectivity in the region & the only regional data center to offer acce](https://millionrounds.com/company/cologix) Cologix operates 3 Central Ohio enterprise-grade data centers offering the densest interconnectivity in the region & the only regional data center to offer acce *Founded* 2010 Denver, United States **$676M** last round Mar 2026
- 17 [**Netomnia** Netomnia is a full-fibre network company.](https://millionrounds.com/company/netomnia) Netomnia is a full-fibre network company. *Founded* 2019 London, United Kingdom **$607M** last round Apr 2026
- 18 [**Community Fibre** Community Fibre is a broadband company that exclusively serves London's residents and businesses.](https://millionrounds.com/company/community-fibre) Community Fibre is a broadband company that exclusively serves London's residents and businesses. *Founded* 2013 London, United Kingdom **$519M** last round Dec 2025
- 19 [**Seaborn Networks** Seaborn Networks specializes in the fields of information technology and telecommunications.](https://millionrounds.com/company/seaborn-networks) Seaborn Networks specializes in the fields of information technology and telecommunications. *Founded* 2011 Beverly, United States **$519M** last round Jan 2016
- 20 [**Synthesia** Synthesia is a British multinational AI company based in London, founded in 2017.](https://millionrounds.com/company/synthesia) Synthesia is a British multinational AI company based in London, founded in 2017. *Founded* 2017 London, United Kingdom **$506M** last round Jan 2026
- 21 [**Northwood Space** Northwood Space is a hardware solution that expands the orbits and frequency ranges available from the ground for satellite communication.](https://millionrounds.com/company/northwood-space) Northwood Space is a hardware solution that expands the orbits and frequency ranges available from the ground for satellite communication. *Founded* 2023 Los Angeles, United States **$505M** last round Nov 2026
- 22 [**Nexthop AI** Nexthop AI is a privately held company founded in 2024 and based in Santa Clara, California, with additional offices in Seattle, Vancouver, Dublin, and Bengaluru.](https://millionrounds.com/company/nexthop-ai) Nexthop AI is a privately held company founded in 2024 and based in Santa Clara, California, with additional offices in Seattle, Vancouver, Dublin, and Bengaluru. *Founded* 2024 Santa Clara, United States **$500M** last round Mar 2026
- 23 [**Bird.com**](https://millionrounds.com/company/bird-com) *Founded* - Netherlands **$450M** last round Sept 2026
- 24 [**QMC Telecom** QMC Telecom provides tower for carriers that offer wireless cellular telecommunication services in Puerto Rico.](https://millionrounds.com/company/qmc-telecom) QMC Telecom provides tower for carriers that offer wireless cellular telecommunication services in Puerto Rico. *Founded* 2011 São Paulo, Brazil **$400M** last round Sept 2025
- 25 [**Deutsche Glasfaser** A German fiber-optic network company](https://millionrounds.com/company/deutsche-glasfaser) A German fiber-optic network company *Founded* 2012 Duesseldorf, Germany **$391M** last round Sept 2024
- 26 [**Upscale AI**](https://millionrounds.com/company/upscale-ai) *Founded* - United States **$390M** last round Jun 2026
- 27 [**Celero Communications** Celero Communications is a semiconductor company founded in 2024, based in Irvine, California, with design centers in Canada and Argentina.](https://millionrounds.com/company/celero-communications) Celero Communications is a semiconductor company founded in 2024, based in Irvine, California, with design centers in Canada and Argentina. *Founded* 2024 Irvine, United States **$375M** last round Sept 2026
- 28 [**SMILE Telecoms Holdings** Smile Telecom is a broadband provider company](https://millionrounds.com/company/smile-telecoms-holdings) Smile Telecom is a broadband provider company *Founded* 2007 Port Louis, Mauritius **$365M** last round Sept 2015
- 29 [**Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane** INWIT is a telecommunications firm operating in the infrastructure sector for mobile telephony, broadcasting, radio & wireless services.](https://millionrounds.com/company/infrastrutture-wireless-italiane) INWIT is a telecommunications firm operating in the infrastructure sector for mobile telephony, broadcasting, radio & wireless services. *Founded* 2015 Milan, Italy **$363M** last round Feb 2025
- 30 [**Alien Technology** Alien Technology is a leading manufacturer in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry, specializing in Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) passive RFID solutions.](https://millionrounds.com/company/alien-technology) Alien Technology is a leading manufacturer in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry, specializing in Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) passive RFID solutions. *Founded* 1994 San Jose, United States **$361M** last round Oct 2014
- 31 [**Omni Fiber** Omni Fiber is an internet service provider.](https://millionrounds.com/company/omni-fiber) Omni Fiber is an internet service provider. *Founded* 2022 Mason, United States **$360M** last round Dec 2025
- 32 [**Terminus Technologies**](https://millionrounds.com/company/terminus-technologies) *Founded* - China **$357M** last round Aug 2024
- 33 [**Ubiquity** Ubiquity is a business that invests in, develops, and administers digital communication infrastructure.](https://millionrounds.com/company/ubiquity) Ubiquity is a business that invests in, develops, and administers digital communication infrastructure. *Founded* 2019 Overland Park, United States **$350M** last round May 2025
- 34 [**Tower Vision** TowerVision is a tower management firm specialized in the provision of passive infrastructure to the wireless telecommunications industry.](https://millionrounds.com/company/tower-vision) TowerVision is a tower management firm specialized in the provision of passive infrastructure to the wireless telecommunications industry. *Founded* 2006 Gurgaon, India **$300M** last round Feb 2008
- 35 [**telMAX** telMAX designs and builds telecommunications platforms for fiber internet, TV, and phone services.](https://millionrounds.com/company/telmax) telMAX designs and builds telecommunications platforms for fiber internet, TV, and phone services. *Founded* 2017 Markham, Canada **$294M** last round Sept 2026
- 36 [**Hubble Network** Hubble Network is a Seattle-based space technology and telecommunications company founded in 2021.](https://millionrounds.com/company/hubble-network) Hubble Network is a Seattle-based space technology and telecommunications company founded in 2021. *Founded* 2021 Seattle, United States **$270M** last round Sept 2026
- 37 [**Force10 Networks** Force10 Networks is a tech company offering reliable infrastructure solutions to build and secure intelligent services networks.](https://millionrounds.com/company/force10-networks) Force10 Networks is a tech company offering reliable infrastructure solutions to build and secure intelligent services networks. *Founded* 1999 United States **$255M** last round Dec 2009
- 38 [**BIG Fiber** BIG Fiber, based in Sunnyvale, California, is a metropolitan dark fiber infrastructure company that specializes in providing high-capacity, unlit fiber networks.](https://millionrounds.com/company/big-fiber) BIG Fiber, based in Sunnyvale, California, is a metropolitan dark fiber infrastructure company that specializes in providing high-capacity, unlit fiber networks. *Founded* 2019 Sunnyvale, United States **$250M** last round May 2026
- 39 [**Solarflare Communications** Solarflare Communications is a technology company based in Irvine, California, founded in 2001.](https://millionrounds.com/company/solarflare-communications) Solarflare Communications is a technology company based in Irvine, California, founded in 2001. *Founded* 2001 Irvine, United States **$243M** last round Jan 2015
- 40 [**GA Telesis** GA Telesis a world-leading commercial aviation company.](https://millionrounds.com/company/ga-telesis) GA Telesis a world-leading commercial aviation company. *Founded* 2002 San Jose, United States **$225M** last round Jun 2017
- 41 [**When I Work** When I Work is a Minneapolis-based software company founded in 2010, specializing in an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for shift-based businesses.](https://millionrounds.com/company/when-i-work) When I Work is a Minneapolis-based software company founded in 2010, specializing in an all-in-one workforce management platform tailored for shift-based businesses. *Founded* 2010 Minneapolis, United States **$220M** last round Nov 2021
- 42 [**SmartSky Networks** SmartSky Networks was an aviation technology company based in Morrisville, North Carolina, founded in 2011.](https://millionrounds.com/company/smartsky-networks) SmartSky Networks was an aviation technology company based in Morrisville, North Carolina, founded in 2011. *Founded* 2011 Morrisville, United States **$218M** last round Jun 2022
- 43 [**Affirmed Networks** Affirmed Networks develops mobile network solutions with gateway functionality, rich application and content delivery services.](https://millionrounds.com/company/affirmed-networks) Affirmed Networks develops mobile network solutions with gateway functionality, rich application and content delivery services. *Founded* 2010 Acton, United States **$207M** last round Feb 2019
- 44 [**Cornelis**](https://millionrounds.com/company/cornelis) *Founded* - United States **$205M** last round Sept 2026
- 45 [**Eridu** Eridu is a hardware startup based in Silicon Valley, founded in 2023.](https://millionrounds.com/company/eridu) Eridu is a hardware startup based in Silicon Valley, founded in 2023. *Founded* 2024 Saratoga, United States **$200M** last round Mar 2026
- 46 [**LeapXpert** LeapXpert is a technology company based in New York, specializing in Responsible Business Communication.](https://millionrounds.com/company/leapxpert) LeapXpert is a technology company based in New York, specializing in Responsible Business Communication. *Founded* 2017 New York, United States **$200M** last round Jun 2026
- 47 [**Digital Nasional** Digital Nasional Berhad is a 5G network operator.](https://millionrounds.com/company/digital-nasional) Digital Nasional Berhad is a 5G network operator. *Founded* 2017 Malaysia **$200M** last round Oct 2022
- 48 [**Echodyne** Echodyne is a radar technology company based in Kirkland, Washington, founded in 2014.](https://millionrounds.com/company/echodyne) Echodyne is a radar technology company based in Kirkland, Washington, founded in 2014. *Founded* 2014 Kirkland, United States **$199M** last round Jun 2022
- 49 [**Quickline Communications** Quickline Communications provides broadband services to business, public sector, and residential customers through its wireless networks.](https://millionrounds.com/company/quickline-communications) Quickline Communications provides broadband services to business, public sector, and residential customers through its wireless networks. *Founded* 2004 Hull, United Kingdom **$187M** last round Jul 2024
- 50 [**Bit9** About Lambent (formerly Armored Things) Lambent is a Boston-based software company for smart space planning.](https://millionrounds.com/company/bit9) About Lambent (formerly Armored Things) Lambent is a Boston-based software company for smart space planning. *Founded* - Boston, United States **$178M** last round Oct 2015

**Total funding** how the list is ranked

**15 November 2026** updated nightly

**Rounds we track** source: Millionrounds

Companies whose funding rounds we classed as this sector, ranked by the total they have raised in rounds we hold. Nobody pays to be on a list.

## Who backed them?

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## More telecom lists

[See all](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists?t=Telecom)

[*OC* *L* *C* **Telecom startups in the United States** 494 companies · $19B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/telecom-startups-united-states)[*OF* *EI* *OC* **Telecom startups in Europe** 244 companies · $10B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/telecom-startups-europe)[*EI* *OC* *N* **Telecom startups in the United Kingdom** 81 companies · $5.5B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/telecom-startups-united-kingdom)[*U* *A* *A* **Telecom startups in France** 33 companies · $269M](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/telecom-startups-france)

## More lists worldwide

[See all](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists?r=Global)

[*GV* *V* *RP* **Health startups worldwide** 12,811 companies · $81B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/health-startups)[*O* *A* *X* **AI startups worldwide** 10,238 companies · $830B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/ai-startups)[*GV* *V* *RP* **Biotech startups worldwide** 7,127 companies · $70B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/biotech-startups)[*D* *B* *FT* **Big data startups worldwide** 3,812 companies · $220B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/big-data-startups)[*AF* *R* *S* **Fintech startups worldwide** 3,200 companies · $94B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/fintech-startups)[*O* *A* *B* **AI startups that raised in 2026** 2,922 companies · $540B in 2026](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/ai-startups-raised-2026)[*FT* *CE* *P* **Energy providers startups worldwide** 2,808 companies · $152B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/energy-providers-startups)[*A* *P* *O* **Marketing tech startups worldwide** 2,728 companies · $28B](https://millionrounds.com/top-lists/marketing-tech-startups)