The space founder toolkit
Where the startups in this directory actually got their first money and momentum. Grants before equity, programs that understand hardware, and the investors whose whole thesis is space.
Non-dilutive money first
Space startups have an unfair advantage most founders ignore: governments fund this industry on purpose. Take the free money before you sell equity.
The classic first check for US space startups: phased awards from ~$150K to $1M+, no equity taken. Many companies in this directory started here.
SpaceWERX ↗The US Space Force innovation arm. STRATFI and TACFI awards can reach eight figures, and defense is the fastest-growing customer in space.
ESA Business Incubation Centres ↗Europe’s network of space incubators: funding, technical support and ESA credibility across 20+ locations.
EIC Accelerator ↗EU deep-tech grants up to €2.5M plus equity investment. Space is explicitly in scope.
Programs built for space
Generic accelerators struggle with hardware timelines. These understand that a satellite takes longer than an app.
Investors who write space checks
Space is no longer a novelty for VCs, but conviction is unevenly distributed. Start with the funds whose whole thesis is this industry.
The largest dedicated space fund. It also runs a publicly listed trust and a seed program. Publishes the quarterly Space Index everyone cites.
Space Capital ↗Thesis-driven space fund (formerly Space Angels); their quarterly Space Investment Report is required reading before any raise.
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