Total amount raised
$1.2 Billion
Latest funding date
11/1/2024
Location
Rocket Lab has successfully navigated 13 funding rounds, securing investments from notable entities such as the Canadian Space Agency and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The company continues to innovate in the aerospace sector, offering launch services, spacecraft design, and satellite component manufacturing.
Stay tuned to delve deeper into Rocket Lab's financial journey and discover the key investors supporting this pioneering space company.
What Is Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab, headquartered in Long Beach, California, is a prominent player in the aerospace industry. The company specializes in providing launch services, spacecraft design, and manufacturing of satellite components. With a workforce ranging between 1001 and 5000 employees, Rocket Lab is a publicly traded entity under the ticker NASDAQ:RKLB.
As an end-to-end space company, Rocket Lab offers reliable launch services and comprehensive spacecraft solutions. Their operations span various industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, software, and space travel, aiming to open access to space and improve life on Earth.
How Much Funding Has Rocket Lab Raised?
- Series D
- Amount Raised: USD 75,000,000
- Date: March 2017
- Lead Investors: DCVC
- Valuation at Round: USD 1,000,000,000
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale up operations and support the company's growth.
- Series E
- Amount Raised: USD 140,000,000
- Date: November 2018
- Lead Investors: Future Fund
- Valuation at Round: USD 1,200,000,000
- Motivation Behind the Round: To build additional launch pads, scale up Electron rocket production, and fund three major new R&D programs.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: USD 470,000,000
- Date: August 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support company growth and technological advancements.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: USD 24,350,000
- Date: September 2021
- Lead Investors: United States Space Force
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance space capabilities and support national security.
- Post-IPO Debt
- Amount Raised: USD 355,000,000
- Date: February 2024
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To strengthen financial stability and support ongoing projects.
- Post-IPO Debt
- Amount Raised: USD 120,000,000
- Date: February 2024
- Lead Investors: Trinity Capital
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support financial stability and ongoing projects.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: USD 23,900,000
- Date: June 2024
- Lead Investors: U.S. Department of Commerce
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support technological advancements and economic growth.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: USD 23,900,000
- Date: November 2024
- Lead Investors: U.S. Department of Commerce
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support technological advancements and economic growth.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: USD 750,000,000
- Date: September 2025
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support company growth and technological advancements.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: December 2025
- Lead Investors: Canadian Space Agency
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance space capabilities and support national security.
Rocket Lab has raised a total of USD 2,000,150,000. The current valuation is not publicly disclosed.
Key Investors
- Canadian Space Agency
- Details: The Canadian Space Agency is a government agency responsible for coordinating all civil, space-related activities in Canada. It has been a key investor in Rocket Lab, participating in multiple grant funding rounds.
- Investment Focus Areas: Space exploration, satellite technology, international space partnerships.
- Notable Investments: Rocket Lab, RADARSAT Constellation, Canadarm.
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Details: The U.S. Department of Commerce is a federal agency that promotes economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. It has invested in Rocket Lab to support technological advancements and economic growth.
- Investment Focus Areas: Economic development, technology innovation, international trade.
- Notable Investments: Rocket Lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Economic Development Administration (EDA).
- Trinity Capital
- Details: Trinity Capital is a venture capital firm that provides debt and equity to growth-stage companies. It has invested in Rocket Lab to support financial stability and ongoing projects.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, life sciences, clean energy.
- Notable Investments: Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Rivian.
- Future Fund
- Details: Future Fund is Australia's sovereign wealth fund, managing nearly $150 billion in assets. It led Rocket Lab's Series E financing round to help the company scale its operations.
- Investment Focus Areas: Venture capital, infrastructure, private equity.
- Notable Investments: Rocket Lab, Canva, Atlassian.
- DCVC (Data Collective)
- Details: DCVC is a venture capital firm that focuses on deep tech and data-driven companies. It has been a significant investor in Rocket Lab, participating in multiple funding rounds.
- Investment Focus Areas: Deep tech, data science, artificial intelligence.
- Notable Investments: Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, Zymergen.
What's Next for Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for small satellite launches, with plans to scale up production and achieve a weekly launch rate. The company aims to support up to 130 orbital missions per year, leveraging new launch pads and a mass production facility. This expansion presents significant growth opportunities, positioning Rocket Lab as a key player in the commercial space sector.
Future fundraising efforts are likely to attract continued investment from major financial institutions, potentially leading to additional funding rounds or an IPO. However, Rocket Lab faces challenges such as competition from larger companies and the technical complexities of frequent launches. Managing these hurdles will be crucial for sustaining its growth trajectory.
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