Top 8 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Space Travel Startups

When you're preparing to raise capital for your aerospace or deep tech startup, understanding which investors are active in your field is critical. Finding the right partner saves time and increases your chances of getting funded.

To help you focus your search, our team curated this overview of top venture capital firms in space tech. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently. But first, let's get you funded.

Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding is a critical milestone for startups in the space travel sector, providing the capital needed for long research and development cycles and complex manufacturing.
• Top players like Lockheed Martin Ventures, Space Capital, Valhalla Ventures, and Adit Ventures are notable backers of various startups and small businesses active in this industry.
• If you are a startup leader who is raising or has just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Space Travel Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early stages or preparing for an exit, knowing which investors to approach is key. Here is a quick overview of venture capital firms active in the space travel industry, organized by the stages at which they invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Space Travel

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you'll raise to transform an idea into a viable business, often focusing on product development and early market validation. For deep tech and satellite venture capital firms at this stage, you might look to investors like Space Capital and Starbridge Venture Capital.

Early Stage VC Firms in Space Travel

Early-stage funding, typically Series A or B, supports companies that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to scale their teams and operations. Prominent early stage venture capital firms include corporate investors like Lockheed Martin Ventures, a major player among defense venture capital firms, and Valhalla Ventures, a Los Angeles venture capital firm. Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Late Stage VC Firms in Space Travel

Late-stage venture capital is for mature companies preparing for major growth, a potential acquisition, or an IPO. In this category, you'll find investors like Adit Ventures, a New York venture capital firm that also participates in the secondary market.

Keep in mind that some global venture capital firms, including HorizonX Ventures and Rogue VC, are flexible and invest across multiple stages from seed to late-stage.

To help you identify the right investors, we've compiled details on the top VC firms active in the space travel industry. The following list includes their preferred investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.

1. Lockheed Martin Ventures

As the corporate venture arm of Lockheed Martin, this firm invests in early-stage companies that align with its parent company's strategic interests. They focus on technologies with the potential for significant impact in aerospace, defense, and security.

Lockheed Martin Ventures prioritizes deep tech and hardware, backing companies with strong technical foundations. Their portfolio includes small-satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital and silicon-photonics company Ayar Labs, indicating a preference for businesses with tangible products and clear industry applications.

This firm is an ideal partner for founders developing technologies in national security, aerospace, or advanced computing who seek a strategic investor. For founders who secure this type of funding, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Aerospace, National Security, Space Travel, Hardware
• Geographical presence: Bethesda, Maryland
• Founded year: 2007
• Notable portfolio companies: Terran Orbital, Ayar Labs, Mythic
• Number of investments: 91

You can refer to their website here.

2. Space Capital

Space Capital invests in early-stage and seed companies building foundational technologies for the growing space economy. They focus on what they term the "final frontier," providing capital to startups in satellite communication, GPS, and big data.

The firm's portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in the industry, such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab. This signals a clear focus on backing ambitious companies that are creating core infrastructure for launch, earth observation, and in-orbit manufacturing.

This firm is a strong match for founders with a bold vision to build category-defining companies in the space sector. Once you secure funding from a firm like this, our integrated financial tools help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Space Travel, Satellite Communication, GPS, Big Data
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded year: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, Varda Space
• Number of investments: 78

You can refer to their website here.

3. Valhalla Ventures

Valhalla Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that backs companies with strong, defensible advantages. They focus on early-stage founders building businesses with what they call "enduring moats."

Their portfolio shows a clear interest in deep tech and hardware, with investments in companies like K2 Space, which builds large satellite buses, and Rain, which develops autonomous firefighting helicopters. This signals a preference for tangible products that solve complex, real-world problems.

This firm is a great match if you are a founder in a sector like advanced manufacturing or climate tech with a product-centric approach. They appear to favor companies creating foundational technology in challenging industries.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
• Industries of focus: Space Travel, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Energy, Gaming
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded year: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: K2 Space, Biofire, Rain, Terran Biosciences
• Number of investments: 23

You can refer to their website here.

4. Adit Ventures

Adit Ventures is a New York-based firm that invests across multiple stages, from early and late-stage venture rounds to the secondary market. They provide capital to companies in high-growth sectors, including space travel, fintech, and cybersecurity.

Their portfolio features prominent companies like SpaceX, Flexport, and Animoca Brands, indicating a focus on businesses with significant scale and high valuations. This suggests they are comfortable backing established leaders and potential unicorns across various technology-driven industries.

This firm is a good fit for founders leading companies with demonstrated traction and a clear path to becoming a category leader. Their flexibility to invest from early stages through the secondary market makes them a potential long-term partner for ambitious teams.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: Space Travel, FinTech, Cyber Security, Big Data, Augmented Reality
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded year: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Animoca Brands, Flexport, Rubrik, Dataminr
• Number of investments: 25

You can refer to their website here.

5. Starbridge Venture Capital

Starbridge Venture Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based firm that provides capital to founders building companies in frontier industries. They focus on early-stage and seed rounds, backing businesses that aim to transform large, established sectors.

The firm's portfolio is a testament to its focus on foundational technologies, featuring investments in industry giants like SpaceX and fusion-energy unicorn Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Their backing of companies like Axiom Space, which is developing a commercial successor to the ISS, shows a clear strategy of investing in core infrastructure for the future space economy.

Starbridge is an excellent match for founders developing capital-intensive, deep-tech solutions in sectors like aerospace, telecommunications, and clean energy. If your goal is to build a category-defining company with a long-term vision, their portfolio suggests they are willing to back ambitious projects from the start.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
• Industries of focus: Aerospace, Satellite Communication, Space Travel, Telecommunications
• Geographical presence: Washington, D.C.
• Founded year: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Axiom Space, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Lynk Global
• Number of investments: 25

You can refer to their website here.

6. Space.VC

Space.VC is an Austin-based firm that invests in space tech companies from the pre-seed to Series A stages. They focus on providing early capital to founders building foundational businesses in the sector.

The firm's portfolio highlights a focus on space infrastructure, with investments in launch provider SpaceX and "space-infrastructure-as-a-service" company Loft Orbital. Their backing of international startups like the UK's Space Forge also signals a global investment approach.

This firm is a strong fit for early-stage founders building core infrastructure for the space economy, from launch to in-orbit services. Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed to Series A
• Industries of focus: Space Infrastructure, Satellite Communication, Software
• Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
• Founded year: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Loft Orbital, Space Forge, Pixxel
• Number of investments: 28

You can refer to their website here.

7. Rogue VC

Rogue VC is a New York-based firm that backs founders with big ideas in deep technology and emerging culture. They invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage venture rounds, focusing on what they call "radical founders."

Their portfolio is diverse, featuring companies like augmented reality platform Streem and the women-focused community network The Riveter. This indicates a focus on founders creating new markets or challenging existing ones, often with a strong cultural or technological component.

This firm is a good fit for founders with a bold, unconventional vision in sectors like AI, biotech, or augmented reality. If your business sits at the intersection of technology and cultural shifts, Rogue VC may be a receptive audience.

Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality, Biotechnology, Space Travel
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded year: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Streem, The Riveter, PortalOne, Lensabl, Reperio Health
• Number of investments: 22

You can refer to their website here.

8. Boeing HorizonX Ventures

As the corporate venture arm of Boeing, HorizonX Ventures invests in companies from late seed through their growth stages. They provide strategic capital to startups that align with Boeing's interests in aerospace and related technologies.

The firm's portfolio shows a strong preference for deep tech with clear industrial applications, from AI software to advanced materials. Their investments include AI unicorn SparkCognition and hypersonic engine developer Reaction Engines, signaling a focus on foundational technologies.

This firm is a compelling choice for founders developing technologies in manufacturing, AI, or aerospace who are seeking a strategic corporate partner. If your company could benefit from Boeing's industry expertise and scale, HorizonX is worth considering.

Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Manufacturing, Space Travel
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded year: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: SparkCognition, Reaction Engines, C360 Technologies, Gamma Alloys
• Number of investments: 38

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Space Travel Companies

This overview shows that the investment community for space technology is quite balanced. While the industry is known for being capital-intensive, there is significant support for companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, not just for mature, late-stage businesses. This mix of early and multi-stage investors indicates a healthy appetite for new ideas and long-term growth.

The variety extends to investor types and locations. You'll find specialist funds focused purely on space, corporate VCs offering strategic partnerships, and generalist firms backing ambitious founders. These investors are located across key US hubs, from New York to Los Angeles, giving you a broad range of potential partners to approach.

Finding the right investor is a critical first step. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently, so you can focus on building your company.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Raising capital requires your full attention. A focused list of investors saves you valuable time and helps you connect with the right partners from the start.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you deploy your funds with clarity and control, so you can focus on building your business.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Space Travel

What are the top space venture capital firms in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is a key hub for aerospace innovation. Firms like Valhalla Ventures are active in the area, backing early-stage companies in space travel and deep tech. You can find more by researching local deep tech and hardware investors.

Which VC firms focus on pre-seed space tech startups?

Firms like Space Capital and Space.VC specialize in pre-seed and seed rounds for space tech. Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Are there defense venture capital firms that invest in space?

Yes, corporate venture arms of major defense contractors are active investors. Lockheed Martin Ventures, for example, backs companies with technologies applicable to aerospace and national security. Once funding is secured, Rho helps manage and deploy capital efficiently.

How do I find AI-focused venture capital firms for my space startup?

Look for firms investing at the intersection of AI and deep tech. Investors like Boeing HorizonX Ventures and Rogue VC have backed AI companies. Reviewing the portfolios of technology venture capital firms can reveal their interest in space applications.

What should I do after securing funding from a VC firm?

After closing your round, you need to manage your new capital effectively. Rho provides an integrated platform with business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you deploy funds with clarity and control from day one.