Total amount raised
$1.2 Billions
Latest funding date
11/1/2024
Location
Rocket Lab has successfully raised significant funding across multiple rounds, attracting a diverse group of investors. The company specializes in satellite, rocket, and spacecraft design, construction, and launch operations.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of Rocket Lab's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative aerospace company.
What Is Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab, founded in 2006 by Peter Beck, is an aerospace company based in Long Beach, California. The company specializes in satellite, rocket, and spacecraft design, construction, and launch operations.
Rocket Lab provides end-to-end mission services, including the design and manufacture of the Electron launch vehicle and Photon satellite platform. They are also developing the Neutron launch vehicle.
With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Rocket Lab has delivered 105 satellites to orbit and operates two launch sites in New Zealand and Virginia, USA.
How Much Funding Has Rocket Lab Raised?
- Series B
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: March 2015
- Lead Investors: Bessemer Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support the development and launch of the Electron rocket.
- Series C
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: November 2015
- Lead Investors: Khosla Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To accelerate the production and launch capabilities of the Electron rocket.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: $75M
- Date: March 2017
- Lead Investors: DCVC
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support the company's growth and development leading up to its first commercial launch.
- Series E
- Amount Raised: $140M
- Date: November 2018
- Lead Investors: Future Fund
- Valuation at Round: Over $1 billion
- Motivation Behind the Round: To build additional launch pads and scale up Electron rocket production to support a weekly flight rate.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: $470M
- Date: August 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand operational capabilities and support new aerospace projects.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: $24.4M
- Date: September 2021
- Lead Investors: United States Space Force
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support the development of new space technologies.
- Post-IPO Debt
- Amount Raised: $355M
- Date: February 2024
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance financial stability and fund ongoing projects.
- Post-IPO Debt
- Amount Raised: $120M
- Date: February 2024
- Lead Investors: Trinity Capital
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support the expansion of launch services and new technology development.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: $23.9M
- Date: June 2024
- Lead Investors: U.S. Department of Commerce
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To fund research and development in aerospace technologies.
- Grant
- Amount Raised: $23.9M
- Date: November 2024
- Lead Investors: U.S. Department of Commerce
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To continue advancements in satellite and rocket technologies.
Total Amount Raised: $1.232B. Current Valuation: Not publicly disclosed.
Key Investors
- Future Fund
- Details: Future Fund is Australia's sovereign wealth fund, managing nearly $150 billion in assets. It aims to strengthen the Australian government's long-term financial position.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, innovation, infrastructure.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
- DCVC (Data Collective)
- Details: DCVC is a venture capital firm that invests in deep tech and data-driven companies. They focus on leveraging data science to solve complex problems.
- Investment Focus Areas: Deep tech, data science, IT infrastructure.
- Notable Investments: Planet Labs, Zymergen, Rocket Lab.
- Khosla Ventures
- Details: Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that provides venture assistance and strategic advice to entrepreneurs. Founded by Vinod Khosla, it focuses on impactful technology solutions.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, clean technology.
- Notable Investments: Square, DoorDash, Impossible Foods.
- Bessemer Venture Partners
- Details: Bessemer Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in early to growth-stage companies. They have a long history of successful investments in various sectors.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, financial services.
- Notable Investments: LinkedIn, Shopify, Pinterest.
- United States Space Force
- Details: The United States Space Force is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for space operations. It focuses on protecting U.S. and allied interests in space.
- Investment Focus Areas: Space technology, defense, aerospace.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
What's Next for Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab's future is brimming with opportunities, driven by the increasing demand for small satellite launches. With plans to build additional launch pads and scale up Electron rocket production, the company aims to support up to 130 orbital missions per year. This expansion is bolstered by a $140 million funding round, positioning Rocket Lab to meet the growing needs of the commercial space industry.
As Rocket Lab continues to grow, future fundraising opportunities are likely, including potential IPOs and attracting new investors. However, the company faces challenges such as competition from larger firms like SpaceX and the technical hurdles of maintaining a high launch frequency. Ensuring reliability and safety will be crucial as they navigate these obstacles.
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