27 Space startups in the UK (free list)
Track funded space companies, founders and investors across the UK startup ecosystem.
Updated daily by John-Pierre ClarkUpdated daily by John-Pierre Clark| Date | Startup | Funding | Round | Sector | Location | Connect | Website | Investor1 | Investor2 | Investor3 | Investor4 | Investor5 | Founder(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 Jun 2026 |  Optera A neuromorphic sensor and analytics system that records scene changes inste... | £3,000,000 | |||||||||||
11 Jun 2026 |  Space Forge Pridwen is a deployable fold-out heat shield for returning capsules that ca... | £10,000,000 | Cardiff  | ||||||||||
8 Jun 2026 |  NewOrbit NewOrbit builds satellites designed to operate in very low Earth orbit (VLE... | £13,860,000 US$18,500,000 | |||||||||||
4 Jun 2026 |  Apoha Apoha makes soft, fluid-based material systems that embed computing functio... | £26,810,000 US$36,000,000 | |||||||||||
20 May 2026 |  CircuitHub CircuitHub provides an automated electronics manufacturing platform that as... | £21,000,000 | |||||||||||
1 May 2026 |  Spaceflux Spaceflux supplies optical systems and sensors for ground-based telescope o... | £9,000,000 | |||||||||||
14 Apr 2026 |  Archangel Lightworks TERRA-M is a deployable optical ground station that provides a portable ter... | £10,000,000 | |||||||||||
17 Feb 2026 |  SatVu SatVu provides a constellation of satellites equipped with thermal sensors ... | £30,000,000 | |||||||||||
12 Feb 2026 |  The Compression Company The Compression Company provides onboard data compression software for Eart... | £2,500,000 | |||||||||||
15 Jan 2026 |  BirdsEyeView BirdsEyeView is a natural catastrophe modelling and exposure management sof... | ||||||||||||
30 Dec 2025 |  Sofant Technologies A low-power RF MEMS beamforming hardware module for satellite and defence t... | £6,250,000 | |||||||||||
14 Oct 2025 |  iCOMAT iCOMAT operates a manufacturing facility that produces composite space stru... | £4,800,000 | Gloucester | ||||||||||
6 Oct 2025 |  Axenic Axenic manufactures optical modulators and electronic components for use in... | £500,000 | Durham | ||||||||||
16 Sept 2025 |  Messium Messium provides a satellite platform that uses hyperspectral data and crop... | £3,300,000 | |||||||||||
9 Sept 2025 |  Space DOTS Space DOTS is a company using space-sensors, historical data and AI analyti... | £1,108,200 US$1,500,000 | |||||||||||
24 Mar 2025 |  CamGraPhIC CamGraPhIC bags £20,960,000 in Series A funding, propelling its cutting-edg... | £20,960,000 €25,000,000 | |||||||||||
27 Feb 2025 |  Magdrive Magdrive scores £8.28M to advance electric propulsion tech, aiming for a ne... | £8,280,000 US$10,500,000 | Harvell | ||||||||||
31 Jan 2025 |  Orbex Major government backing boosts UK’s space ambitions! Orbex secures £20M to... | £23,000,000 | Forres | ||||||||||
21 Aug 2024 |  Space Intelligence Edinburgh's Space Intelligence lands a game-changing investment to revoluti... | ||||||||||||
27 May 2024 |  Aurora Avionics Aurora Avionics rockets to success with £320,000 investment to revolutioniz... | £320,000 | |||||||||||
9 Apr 2024 |  Bright Ascension Bright Ascension secures £2.25M in funding to accelerate the release of inn... | £2,250,000 | Dundee | ||||||||||
29 Feb 2024 |  MOONHUB MOONHUB secures £1.1 million funding to enhance VR training tech, cutting c... | £1,100,000 | |||||||||||
14 Feb 2024 |  Spacegoods London-based wellness brand Spacegoods secures £2.5M in Seed funding from p... | £2,500,000 | |||||||||||
11 Sept 2023 |  Open Cosmos Open Cosmos secures $50 million in funding to accelerate growth and expand ... | US$50,000,000 | |||||||||||
9 May 2023 |  Value.Space Value.Space bursts onto the scene with a groundbreaking €2.1 million fundin... | £1,820,000 | |||||||||||
9 Dec 2022 |  Sen | £2,000,000 | |||||||||||
15 Jun 2018 |  Oxford Space Systems | £6,300,000 €7,600,000 |
1 Explore 27 UK space startups and their founders, who have collectively raised £282.44M.
2 Easily sort, filter, and compare the UK's top startups — customise the list to your needs.
3 Discover top startups for investment, B2B sales, partnerships, hiring, and industry connections.
You can connect with fast-growing space startups with the full list of recently funded startups from the UK.
The UK space sector has quietly become one of Europe’s most active, moving far beyond satellites as a niche category. London, Oxford, Harwell and Glasgow have emerged as major hubs, supported by strong government backing, defence demand and commercial downstream applications. The UK now positions space as critical national infrastructure, not just science.
UK space startup insights
The UK has built one of Europe’s most commercially focused space ecosystems, spanning launch, satellites, earth observation, communications and space-enabled data services. This list highlights funded space startups across pre-seed, seed and later stages.
Space in this context covers satellite manufacturing, launch services, earth observation, space data platforms, navigation, in-orbit services and defence-adjacent technologies. Many of these startups combine aerospace engineering with software, AI and data analytics to deliver terrestrial value from space infrastructure.
Snapshot of the UK space landscape
- Hundreds of funded space and space-enabled startups across upstream and downstream segments
- Funding ranges from early SEIS and EIS-backed rounds to large growth and strategic defence-led investments
- Key hubs include Harwell Campus, London, Oxford, Glasgow and Cornwall, with strong regional clusters
- Investors include deeptech VCs, defence-linked funds, sovereign-backed vehicles and experienced technical angels
- Common themes include earth observation, secure communications, climate monitoring, navigation, launch systems and dual-use technology
Use this page to explore the fastest growing space startups in the UK, then review individual profiles for websites, investors, locations and recent funding. For filters, exports and deeper analysis, you can upgrade to full database access.
That’s our overview of the fastest growing space startups in the UK. If you are looking for funding opportunities, explore our list of investors actively backing space and aerospace innovation.
What is Space Tech?
Space tech refers to technologies developed for space-based systems and the applications that rely on them. This includes satellites, launch vehicles, ground infrastructure and the software platforms that turn space data into usable insight on Earth.
Modern space startups focus less on exploration alone and more on practical, commercial use cases such as climate monitoring, secure communications, navigation, defence, logistics and infrastructure planning.
5 most exciting Space sectors
Key areas within the space sector include:
1 - Earth Observation
Uses satellites and sensors to monitor the planet, supporting climate analysis, agriculture, insurance, energy and national security.
2 - Satellite Communications
Focuses on connectivity from space, including broadband, IoT networks and secure communications for governments and enterprises.
3 - Launch Services
Covers the development of small launch vehicles, launch sites and supporting infrastructure to enable more frequent and cost-effective access to orbit.
4 - Space Data and Analytics
Transforms raw satellite data into actionable insight using software, AI and modelling tools for commercial and public sector users.
5 - In-Orbit Services and Space Infrastructure
Includes satellite servicing, debris monitoring, space situational awareness and technologies that support long-term orbital operations.
Space technology is becoming foundational to modern economies, touching defence, climate, finance and communications. As launch costs fall and data demand rises, the UK is well positioned to remain a global leader in commercial space innovation.
Related space and deeptech resources
Frequently asked questions
Space startups build technologies, software or services connected to satellites, launch, space data, communications, Earth observation, propulsion, in-orbit services or space infrastructure. UK space startups often combine aerospace engineering, data, climate monitoring, defence and communications expertise.
Space startups are growing because satellites and space data are becoming more important for communications, navigation, climate monitoring, defence, agriculture and infrastructure. The UK has strong aerospace talent, research institutions, satellite companies and government interest in the space economy.
Space startups raise funding from angel investors, deeptech venture capital firms, grants, aerospace investors, defence-linked programmes and strategic partners. Investors often look for technical credibility, commercial use cases, long-term defensibility and a realistic path through capital-intensive development.
London, Oxfordshire, Scotland, Bristol, Cambridge and the South West are important parts of the UK space startup ecosystem. Strengths vary by region, from satellite manufacturing and space data to aerospace engineering, research and launch-related activity.
Investors look for space startups with strong technical teams, defensible technology, commercial customers and use cases that can scale beyond research or government contracts. Startups using space data for climate, agriculture, defence or infrastructure can be especially relevant.