About Space Economy
There are 249 companies in the Space Economy sector across the world, with 97 funded companies having collectively raised $3.78B in venture capital money and private equity. Overall 35 of these are Series A+ funded and the sector has seen the creation of 3 Unicorns.
Space Economy sector has seen 9 acquisitions and 6 IPOs. This represents almost 6.0% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes the space economy refers to the entire set of activities and resources that provide value and benefits for humans while exploring and utilizing space.
Space Economy sector is also known as Space Economy Solutions, Advanced Space Economy or Digital Space Economy.
Companies included in Space Economy sector
The space economy includes activities like satellite services, space tourism, space robotics, asteroid mining, in-orbit servicing, space debris detection, research and development, and manufacturing for space explorationCompanies excluded in Space Economy sector
Companies involved in manufacturing and services for aerospace and aviationMarket Map of Space Economy
The market map of Space Economy gives a visual overview of the sector, showing key business models, their interactions in the value chain, and industry evolution.
Reports related to Space Economy
Here is a report related to Space Economy sector:
View all reports related to Space Economy. Sign up today!Top Companies in Space Economy
There are more than 249 companies in Space Economy. ClearSpace is the top Space Economy company globally, ranked using Tracxn Score (what's this?).
Here are 5 of the top Space Economy companies globally:
Company | Description | Location | Founded | Current Stage | Private Funding Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Provider of technology for active removal of space debris and servicing | Renens (Switzerland) | 2018 | Series A | $33.3M | |
Operator of spacecraft providing life extension and in-orbit services | Toulouse (France) | 2017 | Series C | $59.4M | |
Developer of commercial space stations for habitation | Houston (United States) | 2016 | Series D | $1B | |
Developer of robotic systems and infrastructure for planetary surface operations | Golden (United States) | 2017 | Series B | $55.8M | |
Developer of autonomous spacecraft for on-orbit satellite servicing and life extension | Tukwila (United States) | 2019 | Series B | $162M |
Companies founded year-on-year in the Space Economy sector
3 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Space Economy sector. 21 Space Economy startups were founded in 2021 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 3 |
2025 | 5 |
2024 | 17 |
2023 | 20 |
2022 | 17 |
2021 | 21 |
2020 | 20 |
2019 | 12 |
2018 | 16 |
2017 | 16 |
Companies founded across countries in the Space Economy sector
United States has 101 Space Economy startups, the most by any country, followed by India which has 31 startups and United Kingdom which has 14.
- Total Number of Companies
Country | No. of companies |
|---|---|
United States | 101 |
India | 31 |
United Kingdom | 14 |
France | 11 |
Australia | 10 |
Italy | 8 |
Japan | 6 |
Germany | 6 |
Spain | 5 |
China | 4 |
Stage-wise distribution of the Space Economy sector
Out of the total 249 Space Economy companies, 97 have secured funding. Among them, 35 have reached Series A or higher, and 25 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 249
Funded - 97
Series A+ - 35
Series B+ - 25
Series C+ - 20
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 249 |
Funded | 97 |
Series A+ | 35 |
Series B+ | 25 |
Series C+ | 20 |
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- 245+ Total Companies
- $3.78B+ Total Funding
- 95+ Funded Companies
- 5+ IPOs
- 5+ Acquisitions
Funding Trends in the Space Economy sector
Total funding year-on-year in the Space Economy sector
The Space Economy sector saw a total funding of more than $3.5B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $1.42B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $1.42B |
2025 | $117M |
2024 | $252M |
2023 | $605M |
2022 | $495M |
2021 | $350M |
2020 | $64.4M |
2019 | $99.4M |
2018 | $61.9M |
2017 | $29.7M |
Total funding across countries in the Space Economy sector
In the last 10 years, Space Economy startups in United States have recieved the highest funding among all countries - $2.48B. Japan follows with $482M and Australia with $180M.
- Total Funding
Country | Total Funding |
|---|---|
United States | $2.48B |
Japan | $482M |
Australia | $180M |
Spain | $142M |
France | $72.8M |
India | $40.6M |
China | $21.8M |
South Korea | $7.7M |
United Kingdom | $3.98M |
Poland | $1.84M |
Total funding amount raised by stage in the Space Economy sector
Over the last 10 years, the Space Economy sector have seen $160M into Seed Stage funding rounds, $1.09B into Early Stage funding rounds and $1.51B go into Late Stage funding rounds.
Funding Stage | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Late Stage | $1.51B |
Early Stage | $1.09B |
Post IPO | $447M |
Debt | $214M |
Seed Stage | $160M |
Grant | $45.8M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Space Economy
In the year 2026, till August 2026, Space Economy companies have raised $1.22B in equity funding across 21 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till August 2025), Space Economy companies had raised $17.4M across 9 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 6934.74% rise in funding in Space Economy companies as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Space Economy:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | 6309 | Aug 27, 2026 | ||
Seed | 8144 | Aug 24, 2026 | ||
Seed | 2243 | Jul 15, 2026 | ||
Series B | 3831 | Jun 19, 2026 | ||
Seed | 5985 | Jun 17, 2026 | - |
Top Investors in Space Economy
NASA is the top investor in Space Economy companies based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Space Economy:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles (United States) | ||
Denver (United States) | ||
Houston (United States) |
M&A activity in Space Economy
In the year 2026, till June 2026, 2 acquisitions happened in Space Economy sector. Last year, in 2025, a total of 2 acquisitions happened in Space Economy sector.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Space Economy:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Jun 04, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 08, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Apr 30, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Apr 24, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 25, 2022 |
Acquisition trends in Space Economy
Here are the acquisition trends in Space Economy:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 2 |
2025 | 2 |
2024 | - |
2023 | - |
2022 | 1 |
2021 | - |
2020 | - |
2019 | 2 |
2018 | 1 |
2017 | 1 |
IPOs in Space Economy
In the year 2024, till June 2024, 1 IPO happened in Space Economy sector.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Space Economy:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Jun 05, 2024 | Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) | |
Aug 04, 2022 | Euronext Exchange (Euronext) | |
Jan 14, 2022 | Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA) | |
Aug 14, 2020 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Sep 29, 2017 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
Colleges which produce the most Space Economy companies
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Space Economy sector
Most number of Space Economy startups have been founded by alumni from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University and Harvard University.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7 |
Columbia University | 3 |
Harvard University | 3 |
Stanford University | 3 |
IIT Delhi | 2 |
IIT Kharagpur | 2 |
Tohoku University | 2 |
Anna University | 1 |
BIT Mesra | 1 |
BITS Mesra | 1 |
Total funding in companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the the Space Economy sector
In the last 10 years, Stanford University graduates' Space Economy companies have raised the most funding among top colleges. Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni are second, and IIT Kharagpur alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Stanford University | $202M |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $128M |
IIT Kharagpur | $74.2M |
Tohoku University | $64.6M |
Harvard University | $64M |
Columbia University | $59.4M |
Kyushu University | $58.7M |
The University of Melbourne | $55.8M |
IIM Calcutta | $53.5M |
IIT Delhi | $53.5M |
Top News in Space Economy
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Astrobotic's Peregrine Lander to Deliver Two NASA CLPS Moon Base Missions in 2028Watch.GLOBALSpaceWatch.Global•Jul 02, 2026•Astrobotic
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Prada Unveils Inner-Layer Spacesuit for NASA Astronauts, Expanding into Space IndustryFashion Network•Jun 08, 2026•Prada, Axiom Space
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Axiscades Technologies partners with Aldoria, expands collaborations with Indra & MBDAMoneycontrol•Jun 20, 2025•AXISCADES, Aldoria
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Fleet Space partners with quantum companies for mineral explorationAustralian Manufacturing Forum•Jun 18, 2025•Fleet Space, Nomad Atomics, DeteQt, mDETECT
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Starfish Space to Launch Second Satellite Servicing MissionSpaceNews•May 20, 2025•Starfish Space, SpaceX
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Indian-origin Executive Appointed Axiom Space CEO Ahead Of Historic Indian Astronaut MissionTimes Now News•Apr 28, 2025•Axiom Space
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