Paris-based smart city technology pioneer UPCITI has raised $20 million in Series A funding, led by Notion Capital with participation from Point Nine Capital and Chalfen Ventures.
This investment marks a significant milestone for the company that's redefining how cities collect and analyze urban data while maintaining strict privacy standards.
UPCITI Funding Overview
| Funding Round | Amount | Lead Investors | Date | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | $20M | Notion Capital | Oct 2025 | Undisclosed |
| Series A-II | $7.5M | Point Nine, Chalfen Ventures | Nov 2023 | Undisclosed |
| Series A-I | $4.45M | Innovacom, NCI | May 2021 | Undisclosed |
| Seed | $2.02M | Undisclosed | Jul 2019 | Undisclosed |
| Total Funding | $33.97M |
The Founders Tackling Urban Data Privacy
Founded in 2017 by CEO Jean-Baptiste Poljak, UPCITI has emerged as a leader in privacy-first urban analytics.
The company specializes in integrated hardware and software solutions that help cities operate more efficiently without compromising citizen privacy.
Operating across 150 cities in 17 countries, UPCITI has deployed over 2,000 sensors worldwide, establishing itself as a trusted partner for municipalities seeking ethical data solutions.
Why This Deal Matters for Smart Cities?
UPCITI's timing couldn't be better. Cities worldwide face unprecedented challenges: workforce retirements, tight budgets, and growing citizen activism against invasive surveillance.
The company's edge AI technology processes visual data locally on low-resolution sensors, ensuring no personal information leaves the device.
This “privacy-by-design” approach directly addresses the tension between urban efficiency and citizen privacy.
The platform combines proprietary sensors with real-time analytics, enabling cities to monitor traffic patterns, parking availability, pedestrian flows, and infrastructure usage without capturing faces, license plates, or any personally identifiable information.
As Poljak explains,
“Even if tomorrow we sold our company to North Korea, the images you can get are like postage stamps – a face is 0.5 pixel.”
Connect with Upciti
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | upciti.com |
| linkedin.com/company/upciti | |
| Founder LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/jean-baptiste-poljak |
Quick FAQs
Who were the main investors in this round?
Notion Capital led the $20M Series A, with participation from existing investors Point Nine Capital and Chalfen Ventures.
What will the capital be used for?
The funding will accelerate international expansion, particularly the U.S. launch in late 2024, product innovation, and scaling operations globally.
How does UPCITI ensure privacy protection?
The company uses low-resolution cameras with edge processing, ensuring no images leave the sensors and making identification of individuals or vehicles impossible.
The Road Ahead for UPCITI
With fresh capital and proven technology, UPCITI is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for ethical urban data solutions.
The company's U.S. expansion, starting with a New York headquarters, represents a crucial test of its model in a market increasingly concerned with surveillance overreach.
As cities worldwide grapple with doing more with less, UPCITI's ability to deliver measurable ROI while respecting privacy could make it the standard for next-generation smart city infrastructure.
Kamil Mieczakowski of Notion Capital captured the opportunity:
“Cities generate over 80% of global GDP. Even a small productivity gain in how they operate can have an unparalleled economic impact.”
With this funding, UPCITI looks set to prove that smarter cities don't require sacrificing citizen privacy.
