Investment in Space Blasts Off

Over the past two decades, technological progress has led to a renewed interest in space activities and a new global space race involving a multitude of public and private entities. As illustrated in this infographic, based on data published by BryceTech, the total value of investments in the space industry has really taken off in the last few years. The total value invested in start-up space companies from 2015 to 2018 was $11.1 billion. Over the last three years however, there has been almost $30 billion invested, with 2021 smashing all previous records at $15.4 billion. This growth is even more impressive when compared to the combined $6 billion invested in the entire period of 2000 to 2014.

The future of the industry is far from secure, however, as BryeTech reports: "While start-up space remains well-supported by investors, future performance risks include uproven business models, uncertain customer bases, and typically lengthy time horizons for space businesses to mature. Newly public space companies, with requirements for quarterly financial reporting, face pressure to meet financial targets and may see stock price impacts for missing them." Early investors will be hoping then that their precious VC doesn't simply slip into a black hole.