Space startups secure record $20.8 billion funding as infrastructure bets surge, report shows

Space startups attracted a record $20.8 ‌billion in funding in the third quarter, as investors poured money into launch providers, manufacturing and other infrastructure ventures, according to a report by global investment firm Seraphim.

The figure was nearly triple ​the $7.4 billion invested in the second quarter and more than double the ​prior peak. Excluding Blue Origin's $10 billion financing, investment was still at an ⁠all-time high of $10.8 billion, underscoring growing demand across the sector.

The report, released on Wednesday, ​also showed a record 216 deals were completed during the quarter, up from 140 ​in the second quarter.

While SpaceX remains a dominant force in the industry, recent fundraising has been supported by a growing pipeline of commercial orders and government-backed programs, according to Seraphim.

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"Capital is following ​evidence of commercial and institutional demand, not just residual IPO enthusiasm," said Lucas Bishop, ​vice president at Seraphim Space.

Infrastructure-related businesses accounted for the bulk of the funding activity. Companies involved ‌in ⁠launch and broader space access attracted $16.4 billion across 120 deals, while satellite communications, Earth observation and other space-service companies raised $4 billion.

Defence and sovereign demand are increasingly supporting investment in launch, manufacturing and orbital infrastructure as governments prioritise domestic space capabilities, Bishop said.

The ​quarter's major fundraising rounds ​included $1.37 billion for ⁠Hadrian, $1 billion for Stoke Space and $500 million for K2 Space.

However, the surge in private investment was in contrast with weaker performance ​among listed space companies. Bishop said many publicly traded space firms ​remain loss-making, ⁠while SpaceX's scale and visibility may have drawn investor attention away from smaller listed peers.

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North America accounted for about 70% of global funding year-to-date, while China recorded a quarterly ⁠high ​of $3.3 billion across 49 deals.

Seraphim said funding was likely ​to moderate from the third-quarter's exceptional level, but remain above historical norms as more companies enter growth and ​scale-up phases.