🚀 2022 Space Investment -60%

🚀 2022 Space Investment -60%

January 20, 2023

The Space Scoop

Week Ended 01.20.2023

Happy Friday! Besides two funding rounds and an acquisition, it was an exceptionally quiet week on the news front. Lets dive in.

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Top Stories

Space Capital released their Q4 2022 Space Investment Quarterly Report and, as expected, 2022 was a tough year for space.

  • Overall investment fell -58% from a record $47.4 billion in 2021 to $20.1 billion in 2022, the lowest year since 2015. Late and growth-stage companies were most impacted, while early-stage investments proved to be resilient.

  • In Q4 alone, there was $4.7B invested into 85 companies. Q3 was the lowest quarter for investment in the space economy since Q4 2013.

  • Space Capital noted that the decrease is part of a shift toward focusing on fundamentals after a surge of investment in companies that have since failed to execute their plans.

  • The VC firm also expects "2023 to be a difficult year for startups as investors remain selective, with government spending becoming increasingly important to the space economy."

  • The report emphasized that "even with strong market headwinds, breakthrough technologies and exceptional teams continue to secure funding." (ie. SpaceX)

In Other News

CesiumAstro Acquires TXMission 

Cesium announced the acquisition of the UK-based smallsat communications company on Tuesday morning for an undisclosed amount. TXMission develops software-defined radios and modems for satellites, ground stations, high-altitude platform systems and airborne platforms.

Stell Space Raises $3.1M Pre-Seed Round (Company)

The supply chain software platform plans to use the capital to scale the team, build out their initial product, and work with their first design partners and customers. The round was led by Wischoff Ventures and Third Prime VC, with participation from Picks & Shovels VC, Banter Capital, Rolling Fun, and other angel investors.

ClearSpace Raises €26.7M Series A Round 

The Swiss-based in-orbit servicing and active space debris removal provider plans to further accelerate the movement toward a sustainable use of space. The round was led by OTB Ventures and Swisscom Ventures, with participation from the Luxembourg Future Fund, Lakestar, In-Q-Tel, Happiness Capital and 600 T Space Investments.

Chart of the Week

Cumulative Space Investment 2013 - 2022Source: Space Capital

Links

• Mynaric ($MYNA) Reports on Key Performance Indicators for 2022• Sidus ($SIDU) Expands Commercial Data Distribution Strategy With SkyWatch• AAC Clyde Space ($ACCMF) Wins $250K Follow-On Order With Space Forge• Canadian Government Supports Commercial Space Launches in Canada

Opinion

• SpaceX IPO Would ‘Lift Space Stocks,’ Analyst Says• SpaceX Prepares for a Breakout Year With Elon Musk Focused on Twitter• Planet Labs ($PL) Finance Chief Says SPAC IPO Was Key to Recent Growth• Despite Tech Reset, the Space Economy Is Here To Stay• 7 Space Tech Predictions for 2023

Earnings Calendar

• $LMT: January 24 - Before Market Open• $BA: January 25 - Before Market Open• $GD: January 25 - Before Market Open• $NOC: January 26 - Before Market Open• $RKLB: February 28 - After Market Close

*Company confirmed dates only.