From CNBC: 2024-09-12 12:41:17

Airbus Ventures, a leading investor in space startups, has raised a $155 million fund to support the space industry and deep tech startups. The fund, named “Fund-Y,” aims to focus on long-term opportunities, especially in early-stage companies facing scientific or engineering challenges. Airbus Ventures has $465 million under management, with about a third dedicated to the space sector.

Airbus Ventures operates independently from its parent company, Airbus, and more than half of the new fund comes from external investors. The firm has invested in 14 pure-play space companies, including Impulse, ispace, and LeoLabs. They prioritize patience and backing founders with exceptional execution skills, like Impulse’s founder, Tom Mueller, who previously worked at SpaceX for 17 years.

Airbus Ventures plans to expand its global reach with Fund-Y, targeting strong momentum in space startups in Europe and Japan. Managing Partner Thomas d’Halluin emphasizes the importance of human capital and knowledge in deep tech companies. The fund is designed to push boundaries and unlock new possibilities in the space and deep tech sectors.



Read more at CNBC: Airbus Ventures launches $155 million fund focused on deep tech, space