What are the latest funding news in the space economy? (August 2026)
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In our space economy deck, you will find everything you need to understand the market
Space economy companies announced 12 qualifying fundraising rounds between June 2 and July 30, 2026, representing at least $1.41 billion in disclosed capital.
The largest rounds went to satellite and orbital-mobility manufacturers, while emerging categories such as orbital computing, wireless spacecraft power and microgravity logistics attracted smaller early-stage investments.
The selected companies derive most of their activity from spacecraft, satellite systems or services delivered directly through space infrastructure.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the space economy.
Insights
- The 12 space economy rounds represented at least $1.41 billion, but K2 Space and Impulse Space alone accounted for roughly 71% of the disclosed capital.
- Ten of the 12 funded companies sell physical spacecraft, propulsion, communications, power or reentry infrastructure, showing that investors remained strongly focused on hardware.
- Satellite manufacturing attracted more than $770 million across K2 Space, SWISSto12 and Apex, making spacecraft production the largest funded category in this selection.
- Orbital computing appeared in three rounds through Sophia Space, Ubotica Technologies and Orbital, although these companies followed very different infrastructure and service models.
- Seven of the 12 companies were still between pre-product and pre-product-market-fit stages, suggesting that investors continued to accept substantial technical and deployment risk.
- Only K2 Space and Apex publicly disclosed clear company valuations, while Impulse Space's valuation was available only through secondary reporting.
- US-based companies captured more than 92% of the disclosed funding, largely because the three biggest rounds went to K2 Space, Apex and Impulse Space.
- Spacecraft energy emerged as a distinct investment theme, with ORiS developing wireless power transfer and Beyond Reach Labs building deployable solar-array hardware.
- The rounds covered both standardized production platforms and highly experimental systems, from mass-produced satellite buses to first-generation orbital energy and computing infrastructure.
As this chart shows, and as featured in our space economy deck, search interest in the space economy has been rising steadily
Summary table of the latest funding deals in the space economy as of August 2026
We define the space economy as the set of activities that design, build, launch and operate space infrastructure and sell services directly based on space data, signals or connectivity.
We include manufacturers, launch providers, satellite and constellation operators, ground-segment and mission-operations providers, and companies whose primary products are satellite communications, Earth observation or navigation services.
We exclude generic consumer devices, broad media and telecom platforms, and downstream industries where space technology is only one of many inputs, such as ride-hailing, logistics or finance businesses that merely rely on satellite navigation or timing.
You can also read our detailed analysis to understand how funding activity in the space economy has evolved over the last few years.
We also have a quarter-by-quarter analysis of funding activity in the market here.
Finally, you can check our complete list of fundraising deals for the space economy (we update this list every quarter) as well as our ranking of the most funded startups.
| Name | When | Amount in $ | Round Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impulse Space | June 2, 2026 | $500M | Series D | In-space mobility & orbital transfer vehicles |
| Apex | June 5, 2026 | More than $200M | Growth funding | Satellite buses & high-rate satellite manufacturing |
| Orbital | June 9, 2026 | $5M | Pre-seed | Orbital computing & satellite infrastructure |
| Sophia Space | June 23, 2026 | $7M | SAFE financing | Onboard AI & orbital edge computing |
| Ubotica Technologies | June 23, 2026 | $11M | Undisclosed | Earth observation, onboard AI & maritime intelligence |
| Ravee Optics | July 6, 2026 | $6M | Seed | Satellite connectivity & optical communications |
| Venus Aerospace | July 8, 2026 | $91M | Series B | Rocket propulsion & in-space propulsion |
| Beyond Reach Labs | July 16, 2026 | $10M | Seed | Satellite power hardware & deployable space structures |
| SWISSto12 | July 16, 2026 | $70M | Series C | Satellite manufacturing, communications payloads & satcom terminals |
| ORiS | July 21, 2026 | Approximately $5.7M | Pre-seed plus grant | In-orbit energy infrastructure & satellite power systems |
| Outlier Space | July 28, 2026 | $7.35M | Pre-seed | Reentry vehicles, microgravity infrastructure & space logistics |
| K2 Space | July 30, 2026 | $500M | Series D | Satellite manufacturing & large satellite buses |
All the latest funding deals during in the space economy as of August 2026
K2 Space raised $500 million in a Series D round in July 2026
When was it?
K2 Space announced the financing on July 30, 2026.
Who are they?
K2 Space designs and manufactures large, high-power satellite platforms for commercial operators and government payload owners.
Geographical focus?
K2 Space is based in California and mainly serves US defense and commercial customers, while also working with international satellite operators.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
K2 Space belongs in the space economy because its core products are satellite buses and manufacturing services used to place capable payloads in orbit.
What is the company stage?
K2 Space is in the growth and early scaled-production stage, with a flown satellite, active contracts and plans for much higher annual output.
How much did they raise?
K2 Space raised $500 million in this round.
What round is it?
K2 Space described the financing as a Series D round.
Why did they raise?
K2 Space raised the capital to expand manufacturing, execute its contract backlog and work toward producing up to 100 large satellites annually.
Outlier Space raised $7.35 million in a pre-seed round in July 2026
When was it?
Outlier Space announced the financing on July 28, 2026.
Who are they?
Outlier Space is developing a reusable capsule that carries microgravity experiments into orbit and returns them safely to Earth.
Geographical focus?
Outlier Space is based in New Zealand and plans to serve international pharmaceutical, semiconductor and research customers, with an initial mission under US regulation.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Outlier Space belongs in the space economy because its main product is an orbital reentry vehicle and return service for microgravity customers.
What is the company stage?
Outlier Space is at the pre-product and pre-revenue stage, with subsystem testing and regulatory work still ahead of its planned first mission.
How much did they raise?
Outlier Space raised $7.35 million in this round.
What round is it?
Outlier Space described the financing as a pre-seed round.
Why did they raise?
Outlier Space raised the capital to develop its capsule and heat shield, complete testing, secure approvals and prepare customer missions.
This chart, featured in our space economy deck, compares the main business model options for Earth observation satellite operators
ORiS secured approximately $5.7 million in pre-seed financing and grant funding in July 2026
When was it?
ORiS announced the financing on July 21, 2026.
Who are they?
ORiS develops laser systems that transfer electrical power between spacecraft so satellites can receive additional energy while in orbit.
Geographical focus?
ORiS is based in Turin and initially has a European base, but its technology addresses satellite operators and dual-use customers globally.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
ORiS belongs in the space economy because its wireless power-transfer systems are designed specifically for satellite-to-satellite energy distribution.
What is the company stage?
ORiS is at the pre-product and technology-development stage, with critical subsystems and a first flight model still under development.
How much did they raise?
ORiS secured approximately $5.7 million, consisting of a €4.5 million private round and a €500,000 regional grant.
What round is it?
ORiS described the private financing as a pre-seed round accompanied by a public grant.
Why did they raise?
ORiS raised the capital to hire technical staff, develop subsystems, expand laboratory facilities and prepare its first flight model.
Beyond Reach Labs raised $10 million in a seed round in July 2026
When was it?
Beyond Reach Labs announced the financing on July 16, 2026.
Who are they?
Beyond Reach Labs builds compact mechanisms that deploy large and rigid solar arrays from satellites and other spacecraft.
Geographical focus?
Beyond Reach Labs is based in the United States and serves spacecraft manufacturers and operators in the global market.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Beyond Reach Labs belongs in the space economy because its main products are satellite power subsystems and deployable structures made for orbital platforms.
What is the company stage?
Beyond Reach Labs is at the MVP, paid-pilot and pre-product-market-fit stage, with flight qualification still in progress.
How much did they raise?
Beyond Reach Labs raised $10 million in this round.
What round is it?
Beyond Reach Labs described the financing as a seed round.
Why did they raise?
Beyond Reach Labs raised the capital to accelerate flight qualification, establish manufacturing capacity and prepare for potential customer demand.
This chart, featured in our space economy deck, shows why SpaceX is leading in the space economy
SWISSto12 raised $70 million in a Series C round in July 2026
When was it?
SWISSto12 announced the financing on July 16, 2026.
Who are they?
SWISSto12 manufactures small geostationary satellites, communications payloads, radio-frequency components and satellite terminals.
Geographical focus?
SWISSto12 is headquartered in Switzerland and supplies commercial operators, governments and sovereign communications customers around the world.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
SWISSto12 belongs in the space economy because its main products are satellites, communications payloads and hardware used in satellite networks.
What is the company stage?
SWISSto12 is in the scaled-growth and commercial stage, with substantial revenue, a large contract base and positive EBITDA reported for 2026.
How much did they raise?
SWISSto12 raised $70 million in this round.
What round is it?
SWISSto12 described the financing as a Series C round.
Why did they raise?
SWISSto12 raised the capital to expand manufacturing and integration capacity for its satellite platforms, payloads and communications products.
Venus Aerospace raised $91 million in a Series B round in July 2026
When was it?
Venus Aerospace announced the financing on July 8, 2026.
Who are they?
Venus Aerospace develops rotating-detonation rocket engines for launch vehicles, orbital spacecraft and high-speed defense systems.
Geographical focus?
Venus Aerospace is based in the United States and initially focuses on US defense, aerospace and commercial-space customers.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Venus Aerospace belongs in the space economy because its funded engine technology is intended for rocket stages, spacecraft and in-space propulsion systems.
What is the company stage?
Venus Aerospace is in the early production and growth stage after completing a flight test and beginning the transition toward larger propulsion systems.
How much did they raise?
Venus Aerospace raised $91 million in this round.
What round is it?
Venus Aerospace described the financing as a Series B round.
Why did they raise?
Venus Aerospace raised the capital to develop complete propulsion systems, expand manufacturing, hire employees and conduct additional flight demonstrations.
In our space economy deck, we identify pain points entrepreneurs should prioritize
Ravee Optics raised $6 million in a seed round in July 2026
When was it?
Ravee Optics was reported as announcing the financing on July 6, 2026, although some funding publications recorded the round later in July.
Who are they?
Ravee Optics develops miniature optical communications terminals that let small satellites exchange and transmit large volumes of data.
Geographical focus?
Ravee Optics is based in Dayton, Ohio, and addresses satellite owners, bus manufacturers and constellation developers internationally.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Ravee Optics belongs in the space economy because its core product is an optical terminal made for satellite connectivity and inter-satellite communications.
What is the company stage?
Ravee Optics is at the pre-product and MVP stage, with laboratory validation completed but qualification and an orbital demonstration still ahead.
How much did they raise?
Ravee Optics raised $6 million in this round.
What round is it?
Ravee Optics described the financing as a seed round.
Why did they raise?
Ravee Optics raised the capital to miniaturize its hardware, expand engineering, complete qualification and prepare an in-orbit demonstration.
Sophia Space raised $7 million through SAFE financing in June 2026
When was it?
Sophia Space announced the financing on June 23, 2026.
Who are they?
Sophia Space develops modular computing units that let satellites run artificial-intelligence models and process data directly in orbit.
Geographical focus?
Sophia Space is based in Pasadena, California, and addresses satellite operators and orbital-computing customers in the global market.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Sophia Space belongs in the space economy because its TILE computing platform is installed and operated aboard spacecraft.
What is the company stage?
Sophia Space is at the MVP and pre-product-market-fit stage, with demonstration missions planned before broader commercial deployment.
How much did they raise?
Sophia Space raised $7 million in this financing.
What round is it?
Sophia Space structured the financing through SAFE agreements rather than a named priced-equity series.
Why did they raise?
Sophia Space raised the capital to fund research, engineering, commercial hiring and the manufacturing pipeline for its orbital-computing hardware.
This market map, featured in our space economy deck, highlights top companies and startups in the space economy
Ubotica Technologies raised $11 million in a funding round in June 2026
When was it?
Ubotica Technologies announced the financing on June 23, 2026.
Who are they?
Ubotica Technologies runs artificial-intelligence processing aboard Earth-observation satellites to detect maritime threats and infrastructure risks quickly.
Geographical focus?
Ubotica Technologies is based in Ireland and has a strong European maritime-security focus, while its satellite intelligence can support global coverage.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Ubotica Technologies belongs in the space economy because its primary service processes Earth-observation data aboard satellites and delivers space-based maritime intelligence.
What is the company stage?
Ubotica Technologies is in the early-growth and product-market-fit stage, with technology validated through several space missions.
How much did they raise?
Ubotica Technologies raised $11 million in this round.
What round is it?
Ubotica Technologies did not consistently publish a round label, although some secondary databases classified the financing as Series A.
Why did they raise?
Ubotica Technologies raised the capital to accelerate commercial deployment of its Live Maritime Intelligence platform and expand real-time satellite surveillance.
Orbital raised $5 million in a pre-seed round in June 2026
When was it?
Orbital announced the financing on June 9, 2026.
Who are they?
Orbital is developing solar-powered satellites with artificial-intelligence processors that function as small data centers in low Earth orbit.
Geographical focus?
Orbital is based in Los Angeles and targets global demand for artificial-intelligence inference and space-based computing infrastructure.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Orbital belongs in the space economy because the company plans to build, launch and operate its own computing satellites.
What is the company stage?
Orbital is at the idea and pre-product stage, with a Pathfinder demonstration planned before the purpose-built Orbital-1 spacecraft.
How much did they raise?
Orbital raised $5 million in this round.
What round is it?
Orbital described the financing as a pre-seed round.
Why did they raise?
Orbital raised the capital to fund its Pathfinder mission, develop Orbital-1 and establish its early manufacturing operation in Los Angeles.
This chart, featured in our space economy deck, illustrates yearly funding for space economy startups
Apex raised more than $200 million in growth funding in June 2026
When was it?
Apex announced the financing on June 5, 2026.
Who are they?
Apex mass-produces configurable satellite buses for government missions and commercial constellation operators.
Geographical focus?
Apex is based in Los Angeles and has a strong US government and national-security focus alongside commercial constellation customers.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Apex belongs in the space economy because almost its entire business is based on designing and manufacturing standardized spacecraft platforms.
What is the company stage?
Apex is in the late-growth and scaled-manufacturing stage, with a factory designed for high annual satellite output.
How much did they raise?
Apex raised more than $200 million in this financing.
What round is it?
Apex described the transaction as growth funding rather than assigning a conventional Series label.
Why did they raise?
Apex raised the capital to expand its manufacturing campus, integrate more subsystems internally and produce satellite platforms ahead of customer orders.
Impulse Space raised $500 million in a Series D round in June 2026
When was it?
Impulse Space announced the financing on June 2, 2026.
Who are they?
Impulse Space manufactures orbital-transfer spacecraft and propulsion systems that move satellites and payloads between destinations after launch.
Geographical focus?
Impulse Space is based in California and serves US commercial, civil and national-security missions, including missions beyond Earth orbit.
Why do we include them in the space economy?
Impulse Space belongs in the space economy because its spacecraft operate in orbit and provide transportation, maneuvering and orbital-transfer services.
What is the company stage?
Impulse Space is in the growth and production-scaling stage, with its Mira vehicle flight-proven and its larger Helios platform under development.
How much did they raise?
Impulse Space raised $500 million in this round.
What round is it?
Impulse Space described the financing as a Series D round.
Why did they raise?
Impulse Space raised the capital to hire employees, increase manufacturing capacity and expand production of its Mira and Helios spacecraft.
Related blog posts
- How strong is fundraising in the space economy right now?
- The full range of business models in the space economy
- How large is the space economy today?
- The evolution of funding activity in the space economy
- The main fundraising trends in the space economy
- A full list of funding deals in the space economy
- The startups that have raised the most funding in the space economy
