Space Tech VC Funding Hits $11.3 Billion In H1 2026, Surpassing All Of 2025

Source: PitchBook, Ali Javaheri
Photo: For space exploration, AI would need to be able to handle unpredictable scenarios. (Glenn Harvey)

Space tech startups raised $11.3 billion across 244 VC deals in H1 2026, already surpassing the $10.1 billion invested during all of 2025. The milestone reflects bigger checks rather than a surge in dealmaking. The median deal size more than doubled to $14.5 million, while venture-growth and late-stage rounds captured 87.4% of total investment. Commercial launch, satellites, geospatial intelligence, and space infrastructure led activity, including major rounds for ICEYE, Stoke Space, ispace, True Anomaly, and Impulse Space.

PitchBook’s 2026 Vertical Snapshot: Space Tech examines a sector moving beyond technology validation and toward procurement, production, and financing at scale. Government and defense demand is supporting factory expansion and the emergence of new prime contractors. Europe reached a record 21.1% of VC investment, public listings reopened an exit path, and strategic acquisitions such as Rocket Lab’s roughly $8 billion deal for Iridium Communications put scarce assets like spectrum and customer access in focus. The next test is whether contracted demand can translate into repeatable delivery and durable revenue.

Space tech startups raised $11.5 billion across 245 VC deals in H1 2026, already above the $10.1 billion invested across all of 2025. Bigger checks drove the gain: The median deal size more than doubled to $14.6 million, and late-stage and venture-growth rounds captured 87.6% of total investment.

https://pitchbook.com/news/reports/2026-vertical-snapshot-space-tech