Paris-based smart city technology company UPCITI has secured $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Notion Capital, alongside Point Nine Capital and Chalfen Ventures.
The new funding will help the company grow internationally, innovate its products, and expand its operations, especially in the United States, where it will launch in late 2024.
“The U.S. launch was a strategic move for us, and the traction we’ve seen in the past year has been beyond expectations. Cities are under pressure to deliver more with fewer resources, and our solution consistently demonstrates measurable ROI. This Series A funding allows us to accelerate that impact globally,” said Jean-Baptiste Poljak, CEO of UPCITI.
Making cities more efficient
Founded in 2017 by CEO Jean-Baptiste Poljak, UPCITI specialises in integrated hardware and software solutions designed to help cities operate more efficiently while maintaining strict privacy standards. The company has quickly established itself as a leader in privacy-first urban data analytics, operating in over 150 cities across 17 countries
UPCITI’s platform combines proprietary sensors with edge AI software that analyses visual data locally, ensuring no images or personal information leave the device. This privacy-by-design approach directly addresses citizens’ rising concerns over invasive surveillance technologies while providing municipalities with real-time insights to manage better traffic, public safety, pedestrian flows, and infrastructure.
UPCITI competes with firms like Vigilant Solutions, ShotSpotter, and Hikvision in the smart city technology and urban analytics space. What sets UPCITI apart is its cohesive hardware-software platform built from the ground up with privacy as a fundamental principle, meeting the growing demand for ethical data usage in urban environments.
Poljak highlighted the challenges cities face amid workforce retirements, tight budgets, and expectations to do more with less. “Our solution empowers cities to maximise efficiency while ensuring citizen privacy is protected,” he said, emphasising how the latest funding round will accelerate UPCITI’s global expansion plans, including opening a new headquarters in New York City.
Kamil Mieczakowski, Partner of Notion Capital, said, “Cities generate over 80% of global GDP. Even a small productivity gain in how they operate can have an unparalleled economic impact. Upciti helps cities perform at their best, driving revenue growth and innovation while fully safeguarding citizens’ privacy.”
What’s next?
As urban centres worldwide grapple with workforce shortages, budget constraints, and increasing citizen activism against invasive surveillance, UPCITI’s privacy-focused platform positions it as a pioneer in the next wave of smart city technology.
With this funding, the company looks set to expand intelligently, delivering smarter, safer, and more privacy-respecting cities around the globe.
