Top 8 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Space Travel Startups

For founders in the space tech and aerospace industries, preparing to raise capital means knowing which investors truly understand your vision. Finding the right deep tech or hardware venture capital firms that appreciate long development cycles and complex technology is a critical part of the process.

To help you identify potential partners, our team has curated this overview of top VC firms investing in space technology. This guide is designed to help you quickly understand the key investors, from early-stage to late-stage specialists, as you prepare for your fundraise.

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

Knowing the right investors to approach is crucial, whether you're an early-stage company or preparing for an exit. This overview outlines key VC firms that invest in space technology, organized by their preferred stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Space Travel

Pre-seed and seed funding is for founders at the earliest stages, often when you are developing an initial concept or building a minimum viable product. For space technology startups, firms like Space Capital, Valhalla Ventures, and Starbridge Venture Capital are active seed stage venture capital firms.

Early Stage VC Firms in Space Travel

Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, supports companies that have found product-market fit and are ready to scale their operations and team. Some of the top early stage VC firms in this category include corporate aerospace venture capital firms like Lockheed Martin Ventures and specialists such as Space VC.

Late Stage VC Firms in Space Travel

Late-stage capital is for established companies preparing for significant growth, an exit, or an IPO. Founders looking for late stage venture capital firms might connect with investors like Adit Ventures or the corporate venture arm HorizonX Ventures.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple funding stages.

To help you find the right investment partner, we've compiled an overview of top VC firms in the space technology sector. We've included key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.

1. Lockheed Martin Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in companies developing technology that aligns with its parent corporation's strategic goals in aerospace and security. The firm primarily supports businesses that can benefit from its deep industry connections and technical expertise.

The firm concentrates on early-stage investments in technically complex sectors, including hardware, national security, and aerospace. Their portfolio features companies like small-satellite maker Terran Orbital and AI-processor startup Mythic, indicating a preference for deep tech with clear commercial or defense applications.

Founders working on technology with potential use in the defense or aerospace industries may find LMV to be a valuable strategic partner. This is especially true if you could benefit from the resources and expertise of a large corporate backer.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Aerospace, National Security, Hardware, Space Technology
• Geographical presence: Based in Bethesda, Maryland
• Founded year: 2007
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Notable portfolio companies: Terran Orbital, Ayar Labs, DUST Identity
• Portfolio size: Over 90 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Space Capital

Space Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in the foundational technologies shaping the space economy. They focus on companies at the forefront of growth in sectors like satellite communication, GPS, and big data.

The firm is known for backing some of the most influential companies in the industry, including SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Planet Labs. Their portfolio shows a clear focus on early-stage companies building critical infrastructure for the space sector.

If you are an early-stage founder building a company with the potential to become a core part of the space ecosystem, Space Capital could be a strong partner. Their track record with category-defining companies suggests they are prepared to support ambitious, long-term visions.

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

You can refer to their website here.

3. Valhalla Ventures

Valhalla Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in companies building "enduring moats" in deep tech and gaming. They focus on businesses with strong, defensible advantages that are difficult for competitors to replicate.

The firm backs founders at the seed and early stages, with a clear interest in complex industries like space technology, biotechnology, and advanced materials. Their portfolio includes companies like K2 Space, which builds large satellite platforms, and Biofire, the developer of a biometric smart gun, highlighting their comfort with hardware and regulated markets.

Valhalla Ventures is a good match for founders creating businesses with high technical or regulatory barriers. If your company's core value lies in proprietary technology or a unique market position, their focus on long-term defensibility could be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Space Travel, Biotechnology, Gaming, Advanced Materials, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Founded year: 2020
• Investor type: Venture Capital
• Notable portfolio companies: K2 Space, Biofire, Rain, Terran Biosciences
• Portfolio size: 23 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Adit Ventures

Adit Ventures is a global investment firm that manages over $400 million in assets. They invest across multiple stages, from early venture to secondary markets, supported by a network of over 1,250 limited partners.

The firm invests across a wide range of technology sectors, with a portfolio that includes established unicorns like SpaceX and blockchain gaming company Animoca Brands. This indicates a strategy focused on backing high-growth companies with proven market traction, often in later funding stages.

Adit Ventures is a good fit for founders of mature, high-growth companies seeking capital for expansion or pre-IPO financing. If your business has already achieved significant scale and valuation, their experience in late-stage and secondary investments could be valuable.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: Space Technology, FinTech, Big Data, Cyber Security
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded year: 2014
• Investor type: Venture Capital, Secondary Purchaser, Family Investment Office
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Animoca Brands, Flexport, Rubrik, Dataminr
• Portfolio size: 25 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Starbridge Venture Capital

Starbridge Venture Capital provides capital to founders developing technologies that can open new frontiers or transform existing industries. The firm focuses on early-stage companies with ambitious, long-term goals.

Their portfolio highlights a clear focus on foundational companies in the space and energy sectors, including investments in industry leaders like SpaceX and Axiom Space. This indicates a strategy of backing businesses with the potential to become cornerstones of future economies.

Starbridge is a strong potential partner if you are a founder with a capital-intensive, technically complex business. Their experience with companies building core infrastructure suggests they are prepared to support visionary projects.

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

You can refer to their website here.

6. Space.VC

Space.VC is a venture capital firm that backs space technology companies from the pre-seed to Series A stages. They concentrate on founders who are building foundational businesses for the growing space economy.

Their portfolio features industry leaders like SpaceX and Loft Orbital, alongside innovators in in-orbit manufacturing and satellite navigation. This demonstrates a clear focus on the critical infrastructure layer of the space industry.

The firm is a strong match for early-stage founders working on space infrastructure, satellite communications, or related software. If your company provides core technology for the sector, their specialized knowledge could be a valuable asset.

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

You can refer to their website here.

7. Rogue VC

Rogue VC is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in deep technology, emerging culture, and what they term "radical founders" with big ideas. They support companies from the seed stage through later venture rounds.

The firm’s approach centers on backing founders who are building businesses that shape new behaviors, with a portfolio that includes augmented reality, health tech, and mixed-reality gaming. This indicates a focus on product-centric companies with the potential to create new markets rather than just optimizing existing ones.

Rogue VC is a good fit for founders with a strong, unconventional vision, particularly in consumer-facing technology. If your company is creating a new category or has a unique cultural angle, their focus on "radical" ideas could make them a receptive partner.

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

You can refer to their website here.

8. Boeing HorizonX Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of Boeing, HorizonX Ventures invests in companies from the late seed stage through mid-stage growth. They support businesses developing technologies that align with Boeing's core interests in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

The firm's investments center on technologies with clear applications in aerospace, manufacturing, and defense, from advanced materials to artificial intelligence. Their portfolio includes companies like Reaction Engines, which is developing a hypersonic flight engine, and AI software company SparkCognition.

HorizonX Ventures is a good match for founders whose technology could be strategically valuable to Boeing. If your company operates in areas like advanced manufacturing, new materials, or enterprise AI, their corporate backing can provide significant advantages.

• Investment stages: Late Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, AI, Manufacturing, Space Travel, Cyber Security
• Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, Illinois
• Founded year: 2017
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Notable portfolio companies: Reaction Engines, SparkCognition, Gamma Alloys
• Portfolio size: 38 investments

You can refer to their website here.

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

This overview of venture capital firms reveals a few key characteristics of the current funding environment for space technology companies. There is a notable concentration of investors focused on pre-seed, seed, and early-stage rounds. This indicates a strong interest in foundational technologies and new companies, which is positive news if you are in the initial stages of development.

The presence of both traditional VCs and corporate venture arms from companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin also provides you with distinct partnership options. You can pursue purely financial backing or seek a strategic investor who offers deep industry connections. Geographically, these firms are distributed across the United States, suggesting that opportunities for funding are not confined to a single region.

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FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Space Travel

Are there many space venture capital firms in the Bay Area?

Yes, the Bay Area is a major hub for deep tech and hardware venture capital firms. Many investors there have experience with the long development cycles and high capital needs common in the aerospace industry.

What is the European venture capital scene like for space tech?

The European VC scene for space technology is growing, with dedicated funds and government support. Firms often focus on satellite applications and earth observation, presenting unique opportunities for founders targeting those markets.

What are the benefits of working with corporate venture capital firms?

Corporate VCs from major aerospace companies offer more than just capital. They can provide deep industry expertise, access to established supply chains, and potential strategic partnerships that can accelerate your company's growth.

How do deep tech venture capital firms evaluate space startups?

Deep tech VCs focus heavily on your technology's defensibility and long-term potential. They assess the strength of your intellectual property, the technical expertise of your team, and the scalability of your core innovation.

What do Series A venture capital firms look for in space tech?

For a Series A round, investors expect to see a proven prototype and early market traction. You should be able to demonstrate product-market fit and present a clear plan for scaling your operations and team.

How can I manage my funds after a successful fundraise?

After securing funding, managing it effectively is critical. Our platform provides integrated banking, corporate cards, and payment tools designed for startups. Rho can help you set up your financial operations in minutes.