Sopra Steria Creates European Leader in Space Security with Dual Acquisition

The French consultancy Sopra Steria concluded on 1 May 2026 the dual acquisition of Starion and the Nexova Group, two companies specialised in space systems engineering and cybersecurity for critical infrastructures. The transaction, negotiated since December 2025, consolidates Sopra Steria as the leading European provider of sovereign digital services for the space and defence sectors.

With the integration of the two companies, the group now employs over 2,000 staff and generates revenue exceeding 200 million euros in the space segment alone, spread across 9 European countries. Among the clients of the acquired companies are the European Space Agency (ESA), EUMETSAT, ministries of defence from various member countries of the European Union, and significant industrial players in the aerospace sector.

Space Engineering and Quantum Security

Starion and the Nexova Group operate in highly specialised niches, including space systems engineering, digital resilience, quantum security, and integrated cybersecurity solutions. Together, they employ approximately 700 engineers, consultants, and corporate specialists with a technical background focused on high-criticality contracts.

Sopra Steria's strategy is clear: government and defence contracts require suppliers with certified European sovereignty, something that general consulting firms rarely manage to demonstrate in front of regulators who are increasingly demanding regarding where and how sensitive data is processed.

Growth in the Quarter and Contrast with Atos

This strategic move occurs in a favourable context for Sopra Steria. In the first quarter of 2026, the company reported revenue of 1.463 billion euros, organic growth of 3.2%, and underlying organic growth of 4.4% compared to the same period in 2025. These results are competitive with those of market leader Capgemini, which recorded organic growth of approximately 4.5% during the same period.

The contrast with competitor Atos is revealing. In the same quarter, Atos registered an organic decline of approximately 11%, reflecting an ongoing deep restructuring process. The divergent trajectories of the two companies illustrate how strategic choices made in 2022 and 2023 are shaping competitive positions today.

Partnership with Red Hat for Sovereign AI

Aligned with the European regulatory moment, Sopra Steria also announced a partnership with Red Hat to expand its AI capabilities via OpenShift, focusing on hybrid cloud deployments that comply with the European Union's data privacy rules. This initiative positions the company as one of the few consultancies on the continent capable of delivering sovereign AI, meaning artificial intelligence systems whose data and models remain within European borders.

For government clients and companies in regulated sectors, the combination of sovereign AI with expertise in space and defence represents a value proposition difficult to replicate in the short term.

What Leaders Should Monitor

Sopra Steria's strategy points to a trend that extends beyond the European market; digital sovereignty is becoming a selection criterion for suppliers in high-value public and private contracts. Companies that can demonstrate control over data chains, infrastructure location, and local regulatory compliance will lead in markets increasingly fragmented by governmental requirements.

For technology directors evaluating European partners or internationalisation models, Sopra Steria's move signals that a specialised technical niche with certified sovereignty may be more valuable than general scale in today's competitive environment.