The aerospace industry is experiencing a surge in innovation, driven by advancements in space exploration, satellite technology, urban air mobility, and next-gen aviation. Startups are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of flight, securing massive investments exceeding $100 million to push the boundaries of what’s possible in air and space travel.
From cutting-edge rocket technology to autonomous aircraft and space infrastructure, these companies are revolutionizing the way we explore and navigate the skies. Whether it’s commercial space travel, hypersonic flight, or satellite advancements, these 15 aerospace startups are at the forefront of innovation, backed by major investors who believe in their mission.
Meet 15 Aerospace Startups Soaring With $100M+ Funding
The aerospace industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with startups securing over $100 million in funding to drive innovation in space exploration, satellite technology, and next-gen aviation. These companies are developing cutting-edge solutions, from reusable rockets to urban air mobility and hypersonic travel.
Here are 15 aerospace startups that are redefining the future of flight and space exploration!
| Company | Founded | Location | Employees | Last Funding | Last Funding Date | Total Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archer | 2020 | San Francisco, CA, USA | 501-1000 | $430M | Dec 12, 2024 | $1.68B |
| Hadrian | 2020 | Hawthorne, CA, USA | 101-250 | $92M | Feb 21, 2024 | $216.5M |
| Impulse Space | 2021 | Redondo Beach, CA, USA | 101-250 | $150M | Oct 1, 2024 | $225M |
| Varda | 2021 | El Segundo, CA, USA | 101-250 | $90M | Apr 5, 2024 | $141M |
| Chaos Industries | 2022 | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 51-100 | $145M | Nov 13, 2024 | $215M |
| Apex | 2022 | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 101-250 | $95M | Jun 12, 2024 | $122M |
| Howmet Aerospace | 2020 | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 10,001+ | $500M | Aug 8, 2024 | $500M |
| Anduril Industries | 2017 | Costa Mesa, CA, USA | 1001-5000 | $14.3M | Jan 7, 2025 | $3.69B |
| Stoke Space | 2019 | Kent, WA, USA | 101-250 | $260M | Jan 15, 2025 | $436.2M |
| Loft Orbital | 2017 | San Francisco, CA, USA | 251-500 | $170M | Jan 14, 2025 | $326.2M |
| SkyWater Technology | 2017 | Bloomington, MN, USA | 501-1000 | $30M | Nov 25, 2024 | $345M |
| LeoLabs | 2016 | Menlo Park, CA, USA | 101-250 | $29M | Feb 12, 2024 | $111M |
| Ursa Major Technologies | 2015 | Berthoud, CO, USA | 251-500 | $12.5M | Sep 19, 2024 | $284.33M |
| Hermeus | 2018 | Atlanta, GA, USA | 101-250 | $39.96M | Jul 2, 2024 | $215.96M |
| Beta Technologies | 2017 | South Burlington, VT, USA | 251-500 | $318M | Oct 31, 2024 | $1.37B |
1. Archer
- Founded: 2020
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Air Transportation, Electric Vehicle
- Number of Employees: 501-1000
- Last Funding Amount: $430M (Latest Round: December 12, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $1.68B
Archer is an aerospace company pioneering sustainable urban air mobility through its all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company’s mission is to revolutionize city transportation by reducing traffic congestion and promoting clean energy solutions. Archer’s aircraft is designed to carry four passengers over 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph while maintaining minimal noise. With a dedicated team in the San Francisco Bay Area, Archer is advancing the future of electric aviation by focusing on manufacturing, design, and operational excellence.
2. Hadrian
- Founded: November 2020
- Location: Hawthorne, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Machinery Manufacturing, Manufacturing
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $92M (Latest Round: February 21, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $216.5M
Hadrian is a machine parts startup revolutionizing precision component manufacturing for the aerospace and defense industries. The company specializes in building autonomous, software-defined precision component factories that enable the production of rockets, satellites, jets, and eVTOLs. By leveraging automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, Hadrian aims to streamline production, reduce costs, and accelerate the development of critical aerospace components.
3. Impulse Space
- Founded: 2021
- Location: Redondo Beach, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Manufacturing, Space Travel
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $150M (Latest Round: October 1, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $225M
Impulse Space, founded by Tom Mueller, is an in-space transportation company dedicated to expanding access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The company operates a fleet of in-space transportation vehicles, including the flight-proven Mira, which offers orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services using a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system. Its high-energy Helios vehicle, powered by the Deneb engine, enables payload deployment in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. Backed by a team responsible for some of the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse Space is committed to providing efficient and cost-effective in-space transportation solutions.
4. Varda
- Founded: January 2021
- Location: El Segundo, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Manufacturing, Product Design
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $90M (Latest Round: April 5, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $141M
Varda is a space manufacturing startup pioneering the creation of products in microgravity for terrestrial applications. The company is focused on producing high-value materials that benefit from low gravity, such as pharmaceuticals, fiber optics, and advanced materials. Its long-term vision includes developing infrastructure for asteroid mining to harvest source materials for manufacturing in space. By leveraging the unique conditions of space, Varda aims to revolutionize industries and contribute to the growth of a sustainable space economy.
5. Chaos Industries
- Founded: September 2022
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Government, Military
- Number of Employees: 51-100
- Last Funding Amount: $145M (Latest Round: November 13, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $215M
Chaos Industries is a technology company specializing in next-generation solutions for defense and critical industries. The company leverages Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN) to enhance sensing, detection, and communication capabilities across multiple platforms. By integrating advanced technologies, Chaos Industries aims to revolutionize defense and security systems, ensuring greater efficiency and situational awareness in high-stakes environments.
6. Apex – Spacecraft Manufacturing
- Founded: 2022
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Commercial, Manufacturing
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $95M (Latest Round: June 12, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $122M
Apex is a manufacturer of commercial orbital transportation services spacecraft and satellite buses. The company specializes in combining software, vertical integration, and hardware to build spacecraft that enable space enterprises to execute their missions. Apex’s spacecraft are designed to provide communication capabilities and assist in launching vehicles into space. The company serves both commercial and government customers, supporting the growing space exploration and satellite industry.
7. Howmet Aerospace
- Founded: 2020
- Location: Pittsburgh, USA
- Industry: Aerospace
- Number of Employees: 10,001+
- Last Funding Amount: $500M (Latest Round: August 8, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $500M
Howmet Aerospace is a global leader in engineered metal products, serving the aerospace, defense, and commercial transportation industries. The company specializes in advanced solutions for high-performance applications, including engines, fasteners, structures, and forged wheels. Howmet’s products are designed to enhance performance, efficiency, and safety, helping to transform both aerospace and transportation sectors.
By focusing on innovation and cutting-edge technology, Howmet Aerospace plays a key role in advancing the future of transportation and aerospace industries, providing vital components that meet the rigorous demands of these critical fields.
8. Anduril Industries
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Costa Mesa, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Number of Employees: 1001-5000
- Last Funding Amount: $14.3M (Latest Round: January 7, 2025)
- Total Funding Amount: $3.69B
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence and aerospace technologies to enhance national security and defense capabilities. Specializing in autonomous systems, AI-driven surveillance, and advanced sensing technologies, Anduril builds innovative solutions for both military and commercial sectors.
The company’s mission is to help protect lives and safeguard nations through the development of highly advanced technologies that can detect, understand, and respond to security threats in real time. With a commitment to modernizing defense systems, Anduril’s products are crucial in reshaping modern defense strategies.
9. Stoke Space Technologies
- Founded: 2019
- Location: Kent, Washington, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Product Design
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $260M (Latest Round: January 15, 2025)
- Total Funding Amount: $436.2M
Stoke Space Technologies is a pioneering aerospace company focused on revolutionizing space transportation. The company specializes in developing reusable, next-generation rocket technology aimed at reducing the cost of space access and enabling sustainable, frequent spaceflight. Stoke’s innovative approach to designing fully reusable rockets is poised to transform the space industry by creating space vehicles that eliminate the need for traditional multi-stage rockets. The company is advancing the future of space travel by working on cost-effective and reliable solutions for satellite deployment, cargo transport, and other space-related missions.
10. Loft Orbital Solutions Inc
- Founded: 2017
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Satellite Communication
- Number of Employees: 251-500
- Last Funding Amount: $170M (Latest Round: January 14, 2025)
- Total Funding Amount: $326.2M
Loft Orbital is an innovative aerospace company specializing in satellite communication and space infrastructure solutions. The company focuses on simplifying satellite missions for its customers by providing end-to-end solutions that include satellite deployment, integration, and operations. Loft Orbital’s unique approach allows customers to rapidly access space by utilizing its proprietary satellite platforms, which reduce the complexity and cost of satellite missions. Their service offerings cater to commercial, government, and defense sectors, aiming to provide reliable and efficient space capabilities that accelerate the use of space for various applications.
11. SkyWater Technology
- Founded: 2017
- Location: Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Manufacturing
- Number of Employees: 501-1000
- Last Funding Amount: $30M (Latest Round: November 25, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $345M
SkyWater Technology is a leading U.S.-owned semiconductor foundry specializing in advanced manufacturing technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. The company provides a wide range of high-quality solutions, from analog and mixed-signal devices to more complex custom semiconductors.
SkyWater enables its clients to bring innovative products to market by offering specialized services and support across multiple industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical. The company’s state-of-the-art capabilities are designed to meet the needs of customers in critical markets that require high reliability and precision.
12. LeoLabs
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Database
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $29M (Latest Round: February 12, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $111M
LeoLabs is a leading provider of advanced radar-based satellite tracking and collision avoidance services. The company operates the world’s largest network of commercial radars dedicated to tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). LeoLabs offers critical data for satellite operators, government agencies, and defense sectors, helping to track debris, prevent collisions, and enable more effective space traffic management. Their mission is to provide the tools necessary for the safe and sustainable use of space, with a focus on protecting vital satellite infrastructure.
13. Ursa Major Technologies
- Founded: 2015
- Location: Berthoud, Colorado, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, National Security
- Number of Employees: 251-500
- Last Funding Amount: $12.5M (Latest Round: September 19, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $284.33M
Ursa Major Technologies is a leading developer of high-performance rocket engines designed to meet the growing needs of space exploration, national security, and commercial spaceflight. The company specializes in the development of advanced propulsion systems for a variety of applications, including small and medium-class orbital rockets. Ursa Major’s mission is to provide reliable, efficient, and cost-effective propulsion technologies to enable the future of space travel, supporting both government and commercial space initiatives.
14. Hermeus
- Founded: November 2018
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Air Transportation
- Number of Employees: 101-250
- Last Funding Amount: $39.96M (Latest Round: July 2, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $215.96M
Hermeus is a high-tech aerospace company focused on revolutionizing air transportation with the development of hypersonic flight. The company is working on creating ultra-fast aircraft capable of reaching speeds greater than Mach 5, which would dramatically reduce travel times for both passengers and cargo. Hermeus is pioneering advancements in propulsion technologies and aims to transform global travel by enabling point-to-point flights across continents in under an hour.
15. Beta Technologies
- Founded: April 1, 2017
- Location: South Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Industry: Aerospace, Air Transportation
- Number of Employees: 251-500
- Last Funding Amount: $318M (Latest Round: October 31, 2024)
- Total Funding Amount: $1.37B
Beta Technologies is an aerospace company focused on the development and commercialization of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company’s innovative designs aim to revolutionize air transportation, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution for urban and regional air mobility. Beta Technologies is working on both electric aircraft and the infrastructure required for their operation, positioning itself as a leader in the future of sustainable aviation.
Conclusion
The aerospace industry is on the cusp of a new era, driven by the groundbreaking work of these innovative startups. From advancing space exploration to revolutionizing aviation technologies, these companies are not only reshaping how we travel through the skies but also opening up new frontiers for future generations. With over $100 million in funding, they have the resources and vision to make ambitious projects a reality—whether that’s in commercial space travel, urban air mobility, or hypersonic flight.
As these startups continue to push the limits of what’s possible, the aerospace landscape will evolve dramatically, unlocking new possibilities for industries, governments, and consumers alike. The future of flight and space exploration is closer than ever, and these 15 companies are leading the charge. The sky may no longer be the limit; it’s just the beginning.
FAQs
Q. What types of technologies are aerospace startups working on?
Answer: Aerospace startups are working on a range of advanced technologies, including rocket propulsion, urban air mobility (such as flying cars and drones), hypersonic flight, space infrastructure, and AI-powered systems for navigation, communication, and autonomous operations.
Q. How will these aerospace startups impact the future of travel?
Answer: These startups are set to significantly impact the future of travel by advancing technologies that could make space travel more accessible, enable faster global transportation through hypersonic flight, and create new forms of urban air mobility, like autonomous flying vehicles and drones.
Q. Which aerospace startups are working on urban air mobility?
Answer: Startups like Archer and Beta Technologies are working on urban air mobility technologies, which include autonomous air vehicles such as flying cars and drones. These innovations have the potential to revolutionize city transportation, reducing traffic congestion and offering faster, more efficient travel options.