{ "license": "CC BY 4.0", "attribution": "FormerSpaceX (formerspacex.com)", "count": 100, "companies": [ { "slug": "1872", "name": "1872", "formerly": null, "tagline": "An autonomous steel fabrication factory.", "description": "1872 runs a highly automated plant in Cincinnati that cuts, drills and welds structural steel for buildings and infrastructure. 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Founders Sara Spangelo and Ben Longmier worked on Starlink-related projects at SpaceX after it acquired their company, Swarm.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "solar", "batteries", "power plants" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Sara Spangelo", "role": "Co-founder & president", "spacexRole": "Starlink-related projects (after the Swarm acquisition)", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Ben Longmier", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Starlink-related projects (after the Swarm acquisition)", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Backed by DFJ Growth; amount undisclosed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "KuCoin News: Former SpaceX employees launch solar-powered AI data center energy", "url": "https://www.kucoin.com/news/flash/former-spacex-employees-launch-solar-powered-ai-data-center-energy-solution" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "andrenam", "name": "Andrenam", "formerly": null, "tagline": "AI-powered underwater sensing buoys for maritime security.", "description": "Andrenam builds networks of smart sonar buoys that detect and classify underwater threats. Co-founder Matej Cernosek is a former SpaceX engineer, and the company's seed round closed in about 36 hours.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "maritime", "sonar", "AI" ], "founded": 2024, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.andrenam.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Matej Cernosek", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Alex Chu", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 28000000, "note": "At least: $10M seed (Jun 2025) and $18M Series A.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Benzinga: Andrenam raises $10M in 36 hours", "url": "https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46018120/andrenam-a-spacex-alumni-founded-startup-raises-10-million-in-36-hours" }, { "title": "Tectonic: Andrenam raises $18M", "url": "https://www.tectonicdefense.com/exclusive-underwater-sensing-startup-andrenam-raises-18m/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "anysignal", "name": "AnySignal", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Software-defined radios for spacecraft and defense.", "description": "AnySignal makes a multi-band software-defined radio platform, with ground equipment and upgradeable modems, for satellites and other aerospace systems. 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Its co-founders, CEO Ben Kellie, CTO Paul Keutelian and CFO Mark Lambert, are former SpaceX engineers.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "nuclear", "SMR", "data center power" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "New Orleans, LA", "state": "LA", "country": "United States", "lat": 29.95, "lng": -90.07 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.applied-atomics.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Ben Kellie", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Paul Keutelian", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Mark Lambert", "role": "Co-founder & CFO", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "New Orleans headquarters expected to add about 40 jobs" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Hoodline: SpaceX alums' nuclear startup builds Bywater HQ", "url": "https://hoodline.com/2026/09/spacex-alums-nuclear-startup-builds-bywater-hq-promises-40-jobs-at-160k/" }, { "title": "Siemens podcast: From SpaceX launch pads to nuclear plants", "url": "https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/podcasts/general/from-spacex-launch-pads-to-nuclear-power-plants-ben-kellies-mission-to-make-clean-energy-affordable/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "arbor-energy", "name": "Arbor Energy", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Rocket-engine turbine technology for clean, firm power.", "description": "Arbor adapts rocket turbomachinery to build compact power plants that burn biomass or gas with carbon capture, and has signed a large order to power data centers. CEO Brad Hartwig was a SpaceX manufacturing engineer, and the company was started by former SpaceX engineers.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "turbines", "carbon removal", "data center power" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.arbor.co", "founders": [ { "name": "Brad Hartwig", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Manufacturing engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 55000000, "note": "$55M reported.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "Order for up to 5 GW of baseload power for data centers (2026)" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Former SpaceX engineers build a 'vegetarian rocket engine'", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/01/arbor-energy-bicrs-startup/" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: Arbor lands a billion-dollar order", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/25/arbor-energy-just-landed-a-billion-dollar-order-to-bring-rocket-turbine-tech-to-the-power-grid/" }, { "title": "ESG Today: Arbor raises $55M", "url": "https://www.esgtoday.com/clean-energy-startup-arbor-raises-55-million-to-deploy-zero-emission-turbines/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "arc", "name": "Arc", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Electric boats built with aerospace battery know-how.", "description": "Arc builds high-performance electric boats, including the Arc Sport wake boat, in its Southern California factory. Co-founder Ryan Cook was a SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "electric boats", "marine" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": { "label": "Torrance, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.84, "lng": -118.34 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://arcboats.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Mitch Lee", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Ryan Cook", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 100000000, "note": "More than $100M across seed, Series A and a $70M round (2024).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Arc", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_(company)" }, { "title": "Plugboats: Arc adds $70M", "url": "https://plugboats.com/arc-electric-boats-adds-70m-investment-building-huge-new-factory/" }, { "title": "Arc: Our founders' story", "url": "https://arcboats.com/blog/our-founders-story" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "argo-space", "name": "Argo Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Water-powered space tugs refueled from the Moon.", "description": "Argo is developing reusable orbital transfer vehicles that run on water, with the long-term plan of refueling from lunar ice. It was founded by three brothers who together spent 18 years at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "space tug", "water propulsion", "lunar" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Hermosa Beach, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.86, "lng": -118.4 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://argospace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Robert Carlisle", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Commercial & defense sales director", "spacexTenure": "5 years" }, { "name": "Ryan Carlisle", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineering director", "spacexTenure": "9 years" }, { "name": "Kirby Carlisle", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Integration engineer", "spacexTenure": "4 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 10000000, "note": "More than $10M per Business Insider.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Three brothers after SpaceX", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/13/spacex-to-build-spacecraft-powered-by-moon-water/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "arrivo", "name": "Arrivo", "formerly": null, "tagline": "High-speed maglev lanes for cars.", "description": "Arrivo pivoted from hyperloop to a maglev system that would carry cars to Denver's airport, but shut down in December 2018 after failing to close a Series A. Founder Brogan BamBrogan was a SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "maglev", "hyperloop", "transportation" ], "founded": 2016, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "closed", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": 2018, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Brogan BamBrogan", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Dragon heat shield", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Arrivo", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrivo" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "ascendarc", "name": "AscendArc", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Small geostationary satellites for communications.", "description": "AscendArc builds small, lower-cost geostationary communications satellites and has signed South Korea's KT Sat as an anchor customer. Founder Chris McLain is a former Starlink engineer.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "GEO satellites", "communications" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Chris McLain", "role": "Founder & president", "spacexRole": "Starlink engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 3950000, "note": "$3.95M seed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SpaceNews: AscendArc emerges from stealth", "url": "https://spacenews.com/ascendarc-emerges-from-stealth-to-take-on-small-geo-market/" }, { "title": "SpaceNews: AscendArc lands KT Sat", "url": "https://spacenews.com/ascendarc-lands-south-koreas-kt-sat-as-anchor-small-geo-customer/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "astroforge", "name": "AstroForge", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Mining platinum-group metals from asteroids.", "description": "AstroForge is developing spacecraft to prospect and eventually refine metals from near-Earth asteroids. It has flown two missions, Brokkr-1 in 2023 and Odin in 2025, and is preparing a third. CTO Jose Acain is a SpaceX alumnus.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "asteroid mining", "deep space" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": { "label": "Huntington Beach, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.66, "lng": -118 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.astroforge.io", "founders": [ { "name": "Matt Gialich", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Jose Acain", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 53000000, "note": "At least: ~$13M seed and $40M Series A.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: AstroForge", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AstroForge" }, { "title": "Jeff Burke: The SpaceX Effect", "url": "https://jeffburke.substack.com/p/the-spacex-effect-companies-founded" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "astrolab", "name": "Astrolab", "formerly": "Venturi Astrolab", "tagline": "Commercial rovers for the Moon and Mars.", "description": "Astrolab builds FLEX, a large, flexible rover designed to carry cargo and astronauts on the lunar surface. Founder Jaret Matthews led the Dragon mechanisms group at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "rovers", "lunar", "planetary" ], "founded": 2019, "hq": { "label": "Hawthorne, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.92, "lng": -118.35 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.astrolab.space", "founders": [ { "name": "Jaret Matthews", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Dragon mechanisms group leader", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Astrolab", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolab" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "atmocooling", "name": "AtmoCooling", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Large-scale misting systems that cool deserts and solar farms.", "description": "AtmoCooling builds atmospheric misting systems that lower temperatures over solar farms, farms and hot outdoor spaces. Founder Paul Mahacek previously worked at SpaceX.", "sector": "Climate & Materials", "tags": [ "cooling", "deserts", "agriculture" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Paul Mahacek", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Spacecraft engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Founders Factory: Investing in AtmoCooling", "url": "https://foundersfactory.com/articles/investing-in-atmocooling/" }, { "title": "Santa Clara University: On bringing cool air to hot deserts", "url": "https://news.scu.edu/on-bringing-cool-air-to-hot-deserts/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "base-power", "name": "Base Power", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Home battery systems that double as a distributed power plant.", "description": "Base Power installs battery backup systems in homes and operates the fleet as a virtual power plant for the Texas grid. Co-founder Justin Lopas was a manufacturing engineer at SpaceX, and the company applies that high-volume hardware playbook to residential energy.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "batteries", "grid", "home energy" ], "founded": 2023, "hq": { "label": "Austin, TX", "state": "TX", "country": "United States", "lat": 30.27, "lng": -97.74 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.basepowercompany.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Zach Dell", "role": "CEO & co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Justin Lopas", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Manufacturing engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 2200000000, "note": "At least: $200M Series B, $1B Series C (2025) and $1B Series D (2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series D", "amount": 1000000000, "date": "2026" }, "valuationUsd": 13000000000, "valuationDate": "2026" }, "impact": [ "Among the largest energy-storage rounds ever raised by a residential company", "Operates as a grid resource in the ERCOT market" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Sourcery: Base Power hits $13B on $1B Series D", "url": "https://www.sourcery.vc/p/breaking-base-power-hits-13b-on-1b" }, { "title": "Sourcery: Base Power raises $1B Series C", "url": "https://www.sourcery.vc/p/breaking-base-power-raises-1-billion" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "beyond-reach-labs", "name": "Beyond Reach Labs", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Football-field-size solar arrays that fold into a rocket.", "description": "Beyond Reach Labs builds large deployable solar arrays for space stations and orbital data centers, and opened a 16,000-square-foot factory at Brooklyn's Industry City in 2026. 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CTO Chris Markus led software engineering on Raptor engine firmware at SpaceX.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "firmware", "embedded", "AI agents" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "San Francisco, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.77, "lng": -122.42 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Noah Pacik-Nelson", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Chris Markus", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Software lead, Raptor engine firmware", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Launch YC: BootLoop", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/launches/Nwt-bootloop-ai-agent-for-firmware-embedded-software" }, { "title": "Business Wire: BootLoop launches test platform", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260525094585/en/BootLoop-Launches-New-Test-Platform-to-Bring-AI-Powered-Hardware-in-the-Loop-Testing-to-Every-Team" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "canada-rocket-company", "name": "Canada Rocket Company", "formerly": null, "tagline": "A reusable medium-lift rocket built in Canada.", "description": "Canada Rocket Company is developing R-2, a reusable methalox rocket meant to give Canada sovereign access to orbit, with a first launch targeted for 2032. CTO David Tenny worked on Falcon 9 at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "launch", "reusable rockets", "sovereign launch" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "Toronto, Canada", "state": null, "country": "Canada", "lat": 43.65, "lng": -79.38 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Hugh Kolias", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "David Tenny", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Falcon 9", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 16500000, "note": "About US$16.5M (C$22.5M), including a C$8.3M Department of National Defence grant.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "BetaKit: Canada Rocket Company's sovereign alternative to Falcon 9", "url": "https://betakit.com/canada-rocket-company-wants-to-build-a-sovereign-alternative-to-spacexs-falcon-9/" }, { "title": "SpaceQ: Canada Rocket Company raises $6.2M seed", "url": "https://spaceq.ca/canada-rocket-company-enters-the-launch-the-north-sweepstakes-and-raises-6-2m-in-seed-round/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "castelion", "name": "Castelion", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Low-cost hypersonic weapons built at production scale.", "description": "Castelion develops hypersonic strike weapons designed around commercial parts and rapid iteration, aiming to field them in far larger numbers than traditional programs. Its founders left SpaceX in late 2022 to apply launch-industry test cadence to missile development.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "hypersonics", "missiles" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.castelion.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Bryon Hargis", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Sean Pitt", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Andrew Kreitz", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 1450000000, "note": "At least: $100M seed, $350M Series B (2025), $1B Series C (Aug 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series C", "amount": 1000000000, "date": "2026-08" }, "valuationUsd": 13000000000, "valuationDate": "Aug 2026" }, "impact": [ "Positions itself as a new-entrant supplier to the US defense industrial base" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Castelion hits $13B valuation", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/castelion-hits-13b-valuation-to-mass-produce-hypersonic-missiles/" }, { "title": "SpaceNews: Castelion raises $350 million", "url": "https://spacenews.com/castelion-raises-350-million-to-scale-hypersonic-missile-production/" }, { "title": "Forbes: Meet SpaceX's alumni founders", "url": "https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciapark/2026/01/05/from-the-school-of-elon-musk-to-billion-dollar-startups-meet-spacexs-alumni-founders/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "clairity-technology", "name": "Clairity Technology", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Low-energy direct air capture that stores CO2 in concrete.", "description": "Clairity pulls carbon dioxide from the air using a deliberately simple, low-energy process and mineralizes it into concrete. Founder Glen Meyerowitz is a former SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Climate & Materials", "tags": [ "carbon removal", "direct air capture" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": { "label": "Las Vegas, NV", "state": "NV", "country": "United States", "lat": 36.17, "lng": -115.14 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.clairitytech.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Glen Meyerowitz", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 6750000, "note": "$6.75M seed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fast Company: A former SpaceX engineer is pulling CO2 from the air", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91299835/in-las-vegas-a-former-spacex-engineer-is-pulling-co2-from-the-air-and-turning-it-into-concrete" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: Clairity seed funding", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/21/clairity-carbon-capture-seed-funding/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "cloud-apartments", "name": "Cloud Apartments", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Factory-built modular apartments for rent.", "description": "Cloud Apartments designs stacked modular apartment buildings that snap together on site to cut the cost and time of new rental housing. Founder Curtis Wong is a former SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "housing", "modular construction" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Curtis Wong", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Modular Building Institute: Curtis Wong", "url": "https://www.modular.org/2023/01/11/curtis-wong-believes-affordable-housing-lies-in-the-cloud/" }, { "title": "Built Offsite: Former SpaceX engineer launches modular startup", "url": "https://builtoffsite.com.au/news/former-spacex-engineer-launches-modular-build-to-rent-apartment-startup/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "constellation-space", "name": "Constellation Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "An AI operating system for large satellite constellations.", "description": "Constellation predicts network failures from satellite and ground-station telemetry and reroutes traffic automatically. The founding team previously built satellite systems at SpaceX, Blue Origin and NASA (Y Combinator W26).", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "satellite operations", "AI" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "Seattle, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.61, "lng": -122.33 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Kamran Majid", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Satellite systems (SpaceX / Blue Origin / NASA team)", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Laith Altarabishi", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Raaid Kabir", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Omeed Tehrani", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Y Combinator: Constellation Space", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/constellation-space" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "cosmic-robotics", "name": "Cosmic Robotics", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Robots that install utility-scale solar panels.", "description": "Cosmic Robotics builds heavy autonomous robots that speed up the installation of solar farms and other infrastructure (Y Combinator). Co-founder and CTO Lewis Jones interned at SpaceX as an avionics mechanical design engineer and later helped launch 3D-printed rockets at Relativity Space.", "sector": "Robotics", "tags": [ "solar construction", "robotics" ], "founded": 2024, "hq": { "label": "San Francisco, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.77, "lng": -122.42 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.cosmicrobotics.com", "founders": [ { "name": "James Emerick", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Lewis Jones", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Avionics mechanical design engineer (intern)", "spacexTenure": "Internship" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 4000000, "note": "$4M seed (2025).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": true, "sources": [ { "title": "Robotics 24/7: Cosmic Robotics raises $4 million", "url": "https://www.robotics247.com/article/cosmic-robotics-raises-4-million-for-ai-powered-robots" }, { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "critical-energy", "name": "Critical Energy", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Factory-built geothermal plants based on rocket turbines.", "description": "Critical Energy is building modular geothermal power units that apply rocket-engine turbomachinery to deliver firm power to AI data centers. Co-founder and CEO Spencer Jackson worked at SpaceX on Falcon Heavy, Starship and the Raptor engine.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "geothermal", "turbines", "data center power" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Spencer Jackson", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer on Falcon Heavy, Starship and the Raptor engine", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 22000000, "note": "$22M seed (Jun 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Seed", "amount": 22000000, "date": "2026-06" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: SpaceX alum nabs $22M for geothermal", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/spacex-alum-nabs-22m-to-turn-rocket-engines-into-geothermal-power-plants/" }, { "title": "Latitude Media: Can this rocket engineer help geothermal?", "url": "https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/can-this-rocket-engineer-help-geothermal-build-faster/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "critical-loop", "name": "Critical Loop", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Modular microgrids that get industrial sites powered sooner.", "description": "Critical Loop deploys modular battery microgrids so factories and other industrial loads can come online before a full utility interconnection is ready. It was founded by a former SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "microgrids", "batteries", "grid interconnection" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://criticalloop.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Critical Loop founder", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineer (per Citybiz)", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 26000000, "note": "$26M Series A (Apr 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series A", "amount": 26000000, "date": "2026-04" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Business Wire: Critical Loop raises $26M", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260413744780/en/Critical-Loop-Raises-$26M-Series-A-to-Accelerate-Grid-Interconnection" }, { "title": "Citybiz: Former SpaceX engineer's Critical Loop", "url": "https://www.citybiz.co/article/831836/former-spacex-engineers-critical-loop-raises-26m-series-a-to-speed-up-grid-connections/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "eclipse-space", "name": "Eclipse Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Turnkey satellite megaconstellations for nations and telecoms.", "description": "Eclipse designs complete constellations, including satellites, ground segment, launch and operations, for sovereign and commercial customers, with a demonstration satellite planned for 2027. It was founded by engineers who built and scaled Starlink.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "megaconstellations", "satellites" ], "founded": 2026, "hq": { "label": "Redmond, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.67, "lng": -122.12 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Derek Huerta", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Starlink engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Backed by Space Capital, Tectonic Ventures and Ubiquity Ventures; amount undisclosed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Business Wire: Starlink's architects launch Eclipse", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260629162138/en/Starlinks-Architects-Launch-Eclipse-to-Open-the-Megaconstellation-Era-to-New-Players" }, { "title": "Payload: Eclipse unveils three satellite platforms", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/eclipse-space-unveils-three-satellite-platforms-for-constellations/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "electric-era", "name": "Electric Era", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Battery-backed EV fast chargers for convenience stores.", "description": "Electric Era's PowerNode stations pair fast chargers with on-site batteries so they can be installed without expensive grid upgrades. CEO Quincy Lee spent seven years as a mechanical engineer at SpaceX, and CTO Sam Reineman was a SpaceX lead mechanical engineer.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "EV charging", "batteries" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Seattle, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.61, "lng": -122.33 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.electricera.tech", "founders": [ { "name": "Quincy Lee", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Chief mechanical engineer", "spacexTenure": "7 years" }, { "name": "Sam Reineman", "role": "CTO", "spacexRole": "Lead mechanical engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 19500000, "note": "At least: ~$8M early rounds and an $11.5M Series A (2023).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Electric Era", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/08/electric-era-ev-chargers/" }, { "title": "GeekWire: Electric Era lands $11.5M", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2023/ev-charging-startup-electric-era-lands-11-5m-to-deploy-ai-and-battery-supported-stations/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "endurance-energy", "name": "Endurance Energy", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Geothermal power from undersea volcanic heat.", "description": "Endurance is developing subsea generators that tap hydrothermal heat along ocean ridges for baseload power. Founder Andrew Redd is a former SpaceX engineer, and about half of the company's early team came from SpaceX.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "geothermal", "ocean" ], "founded": 2024, "hq": { "label": "Seattle, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.61, "lng": -122.33 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Andrew Redd", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 54000000, "note": "$54M Series A (Jun 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series A", "amount": 54000000, "date": "2026-06" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "GeekWire: Endurance races to tap deep-sea volcanic power", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2026/with-54m-and-a-spacex-playbook-seattles-endurance-races-to-tap-deep-sea-volcanic-power/" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Yet another SpaceX alum raises $54M", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/endurance-energy-spacex" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "epsilon3", "name": "Epsilon3", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Procedure and operations software for complex hardware.", "description": "Epsilon3 replaces paper checklists and spreadsheets with software for planning, running and recording test and flight operations. CEO Laura Crabtree spent 11 years in SpaceX mission operations, including crewed Dragon missions.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "operations software", "space" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.epsilon3.io", "founders": [ { "name": "Laura Crabtree", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Senior mission operations engineer", "spacexTenure": "11 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 18920000, "note": "$18.92M per Business Insider, including a $15M Series A.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SpaceNews: Epsilon3 raises $15 million", "url": "https://spacenews.com/epsilon3-raises-15-million-for-space-project-management-platform/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "ethos-space", "name": "Ethos Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Infrastructure for building on the Moon.", "description": "Ethos is developing lunar surface infrastructure and emerged from stealth in 2024. Two of its three founders were early SpaceX employees who built the company's launch infrastructure, including Brogan BamBrogan, who is credited with the original Dragon heat shields and later co-founded Hyperloop One and Arrivo.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "lunar", "infrastructure" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Ross Centers", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Early SpaceX employee (launch infrastructure)", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Jeff Overbeek", "role": "Co-founder & COO", "spacexRole": "Early SpaceX employee (launch infrastructure)", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Brogan BamBrogan", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Dragon heat shield", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Payload: Lunar infrastructure startup Ethos emerges from stealth", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/lunar-infrastructure-startup-ethos-emerges-from-stealth/" }, { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "farcast", "name": "Farcast", "formerly": "UTVate", "tagline": "User terminals that let more companies run satellite constellations.", "description": "Farcast (founded as UTVate) designs phased-array ground terminals for satellite networks, aiming to make Starlink-class hardware available to other constellation operators. Founder Siamak Ebadi was on the team that built the first Starlink satellites.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "user terminals", "satellite internet" ], "founded": 2019, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Siamak Ebadi", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Early Starlink satellite team", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SpaceNews: Starlink veterans launch startup", "url": "https://spacenews.com/starlink-veterans-launch-startup-to-broaden-megaconstellation-ownership/" }, { "title": "Payload: UTVate rebrands to Farcast", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/utvate-rebrands-to-farcast-to-expand-its-customer-base/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "firefly-aerospace", "name": "Firefly Aerospace", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Launch vehicles, lunar landers and orbital vehicles.", "description": "Firefly builds the Alpha rocket and the Blue Ghost lunar lander, which achieved a successful Moon landing in March 2025. Co-founder Tom Markusic worked at SpaceX before starting the company, and Firefly listed on Nasdaq in August 2025.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "launch", "lunar landers", "public company" ], "founded": 2014, "hq": { "label": "Cedar Park, TX", "state": "TX", "country": "United States", "lat": 30.51, "lng": -97.82 }, "status": "public", "ticker": "FLY", "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://fireflyspace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Tom Markusic", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer (propulsion test)", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Public company since its August 2025 IPO (~$6.3B valuation at listing).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": 6300000000, "valuationDate": "Aug 2025 IPO" }, "impact": [ "First commercial company to achieve a fully successful Moon landing (Blue Ghost, 2025)", "Texas-based manufacturing and test operations" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "CNN: Firefly's IPO after its Moon landing", "url": "https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/science/firefly-aerospace-ipo-moon-landing" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Firefly Aerospace", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Aerospace" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "first-resonance", "name": "First Resonance", "formerly": null, "tagline": "ION, a factory operating system for hardware companies.", "description": "First Resonance sells ION, software that tracks parts, procedures and issues across a factory floor for aerospace, defense and energy manufacturers. CEO Karan Talati worked at SpaceX as a software and manufacturing engineer.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "manufacturing software", "MES" ], "founded": 2018, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.firstresonance.io", "founders": [ { "name": "Karan Talati", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Software & manufacturing engineer", "spacexTenure": "3 years" }, { "name": "Neal Sarraf", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 32000000, "note": "$32M per Business Insider.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: First Resonance funding", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/09/first-resonance-funding-spacex-manufacturing-software/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "fortastra", "name": "Fortastra", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Maneuverable satellites for orbital defense.", "description": "Fortastra builds satellites designed to protect US and allied assets in orbit, and has recruited executives from Relativity, Hermeus, Astrion and Divergent. Founder and CEO Mike Smayda was a senior aerodynamics engineer at SpaceX and previously co-founded Hermeus.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "satellites", "space defense" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Mike Smayda", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Senior aerodynamics engineer (rocket landing)", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 8000000, "note": "$8M seed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Payload: Fortastra lands $8M seed", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/fortastra-lands-8m-seed-to-develop-orbital-defense-sats/" }, { "title": "SpaceNews: Executives join Fortastra C-suite", "url": "https://spacenews.com/relativity-hermeus-astrion-and-divergent-executives-join-fortastra-c-suite/" }, { "title": "Hoo You Know: Mike Smayda", "url": "https://hooyouknow.com/archive/mike-smayda" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "freeform", "name": "Freeform", "formerly": null, "tagline": "AI-controlled metal 3D printing at industrial scale.", "description": "Freeform runs laser metal printers with real-time sensing and AI control to produce aerospace and defense parts faster. Both founders are former SpaceX engineers; the company counts NVIDIA and Boeing among its investors.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "3D printing", "metal additive", "AI" ], "founded": 2018, "hq": { "label": "Hawthorne, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.92, "lng": -118.35 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.freeform.co", "founders": [ { "name": "Erik Palitsch", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "TJ Ronacher", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 81000000, "note": "At least: $14M (Nvidia/Boeing, 2024) and a $67M Series B.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Ex-SpaceX engineers land $14M", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/22/ex-spacex-engineers-land-14m-to-scale-new-method-for-3d-printing-metal/" }, { "title": "3D Printing Industry: Former SpaceX engineers scale AI 3D printing", "url": "https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/former-spacex-engineers-to-scale-ai-3d-printing-with-new-nvidia-and-boeing-funding-233813/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "galadyne", "name": "Galadyne", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Liquid-fueled missiles designed for mass production.", "description": "Galadyne builds the Striker strike missile, the Defender interceptor and a containerized launcher, all designed to be produced in the thousands. Founder Chandler Luzsicza engineered Dragon thrusters and was a lead propulsion engineer on Starship.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "missiles", "liquid propulsion" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Austin, TX", "state": "TX", "country": "United States", "lat": 30.27, "lng": -97.74 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Chandler Luzsicza", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Dragon thruster engineer; Starship lead propulsion engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Backed by a16z; amount undisclosed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Rational Optimist Society: Optimists build missile factories", "url": "https://rationaloptimistsociety.substack.com/p/optimists-build-missile-factories" }, { "title": "Tectonic: a16z-backed Galadyne enters the missile game", "url": "https://www.tectonicdefense.com/icymi-a16z-backed-galadyne-enters-the-missile-game/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "gambit", "name": "Gambit", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Software that lets fleets of unmanned systems team up and adapt.", "description": "Gambit develops autonomy software for multi-sensor fusion and coordination across robotic fleets, and exited stealth in January 2026 with Air Force and CENTCOM contracts. Founder Josh Giegel is a former SpaceX engineer who co-founded Hyperloop One.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "autonomy", "unmanned systems" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.gambit.us", "founders": [ { "name": "Josh Giegel", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Defense Daily: Gambit exits stealth with DoD contracts", "url": "https://www.defensedaily.com/autonomy-software-firm-gambit-exits-stealth-with-dod-contracts/advanced-transformational-technology/" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: SpaceX alumni helping build LA's ecosystem", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/20/spacexs-spin-out-startups-are-helping-build-las-startup-ecosystem/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "general-matter", "name": "General Matter", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Domestic uranium enrichment for American reactors.", "description": "General Matter is building a uranium enrichment plant at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky to reduce US reliance on Russian fuel, and won a $900M DOE award in January 2026. CEO Scott Nolan helped develop the Merlin engine systems and Dragon at SpaceX.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "nuclear fuel", "uranium enrichment", "HALEU" ], "founded": 2024, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://generalmatter.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Scott Nolan", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Merlin engine systems & Dragon", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Drew DeWalt", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Lee Robinson", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 50000000, "note": "~$50M Series A (Apr 2025, Founders Fund). Separately awarded a $900M DOE contract (Jan 2026).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "Planned $1.5B enrichment facility in Paducah, KY (about 140 jobs)", "$900M Department of Energy enrichment award" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: General Matter", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Matter" }, { "title": "WKMS: $900M DOE award", "url": "https://www.wkms.org/energy/2026-01-07/general-matter-scores-900m-award-from-doe-to-support-haleu-enrichment-in-paducah" }, { "title": "City of Paducah: $1.5B facility", "url": "https://paducahky.gov/news/general-matter-construct-15-billion-uranium-enrichment-facility-paducah" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "glid", "name": "Glīd", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Autonomous vehicles that drive on road and rail.", "description": "Glīd builds Rāden, an unmanned vehicle that can drive on roads and then run on rail lines, cutting out trucks and cranes in freight transfers. Founder Kevin Damoa is an Army veteran and SpaceX alumnus.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "logistics", "rail", "autonomy" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Kevin Damoa", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "SpaceX alumnus", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 3100000, "note": "$3.1M pre-seed (Jul 2025).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Pulse 2.0: Glīd raises $3.1M pre-seed", "url": "https://pulse2.com/glid-3-1-million-pre-seed-funding-raised-for-autonomous-road-to-rail-freight-infrastructure/" }, { "title": "Business Wire: Glīd showcases Rāden", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030640781/en/Gld-Showcases-Rden-the-First-Unmanned-Road-to-Rail-Vehicle-at-SEMA-FutureTech-Studio" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "gradial", "name": "Gradial", "formerly": null, "tagline": "AI agents that run enterprise marketing content operations.", "description": "Gradial automates the repetitive content work inside large marketing teams, from page updates to campaign builds. It was founded by SpaceX and Microsoft veterans in Seattle.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "AI agents", "marketing" ], "founded": 2023, "hq": { "label": "Seattle, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.61, "lng": -122.33 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.gradial.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Gradial founding team", "role": "Founders", "spacexRole": "SpaceX veterans (per GeekWire)", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 83400000, "note": "At least: $5.4M seed, $13M Series B, $65M Series C (Jun 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series C", "amount": 65000000, "date": "2026-06" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "GeekWire: SpaceX and Microsoft vets raise $5.4M for Gradial", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2024/spacex-and-microsoft-vets-raise-5-4m-for-gradial-a-seattle-startup-using-generative-ai-for-marketing/" }, { "title": "GeekWire: Gradial raises $65M", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2026/gradial-raises-65m-as-startup-sees-rapid-growth-around-agentic-tools-for-enterprise-marketing/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "grounded", "name": "Grounded", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Modular electric vans for living and working on the road.", "description": "Grounded builds solar-equipped, all-electric vans with customizable interiors from a factory in southwest Detroit. Founder Sam Shapiro was a product engineering manager on SpaceX's Starlink software team.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "electric vehicles", "RVs" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Detroit, MI", "state": "MI", "country": "United States", "lat": 42.33, "lng": -83.05 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Sam Shapiro", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Product engineering manager, Starlink software", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Detroit Jewish News: Former SpaceX engineer launches RV startup", "url": "https://www.thejewishnews.com/community/former-spacex-engineer-launches-eco-friendly-rv-startup-in-detroit/article_421c85d3-98e6-4c36-9526-04b4650412bd.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "hermeus", "name": "Hermeus", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Hypersonic aircraft, starting with uncrewed high-speed jets.", "description": "Hermeus is developing reusable hypersonic aircraft, beginning with uncrewed high-speed test and combat vehicles for the US Air Force, and reached a $1B+ valuation in 2026. Co-founder Mike Smayda was a senior aerodynamics engineer at SpaceX working on rocket landing. The company moved its headquarters from Atlanta to California.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "hypersonics", "aircraft", "defense" ], "founded": 2018, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.hermeus.com", "founders": [ { "name": "AJ Piplica", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Mike Smayda", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Senior aerodynamics engineer (rocket landing)", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Glenn Case", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Skyler Shuford", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 510000000, "note": "At least: $60M (2021), $100M Series B (2022), $350M (Apr 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Funding round", "amount": 350000000, "date": "2026-04" }, "valuationUsd": 1000000000, "valuationDate": "Apr 2026 (reported unicorn)" }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Hermeus raises $350M", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/07/hermeus-raises-350m-to-build-unmanned-hypersonic-fighters/" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Hermeus", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeus" }, { "title": "Hoo You Know: Mike Smayda, former SpaceX aerodynamics engineer", "url": "https://hooyouknow.com/archive/mike-smayda" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "hgen", "name": "Hgen", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Electrolyzers for industrial-scale green hydrogen.", "description": "Hgen builds electrolyzers aimed at making hydrogen affordable for heavy industry. Co-founder Colin Ho led Starship actuation and power systems and worked on Crew Dragon propulsion components at SpaceX.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "hydrogen", "electrolyzers" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Molly Yang", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Colin Ho", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Led Starship actuation & power systems; Crew Dragon propulsion components", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" }, { "title": "MCJ: Scaling hydrogen with Hgen", "url": "https://mcj.vc/inevitable-podcast/hgen" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "hop-aero", "name": "Hop Aero", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Autonomous rockets that deliver cargo anywhere in minutes.", "description": "Hop Aero is building Rook, a container-launched rocket that carries about 250 kg of cargo up to 750 km and lands it at hypersonic reentry speeds. CTO Jacob Balaj built SpaceX's original Falcon booster refurbishment program (Y Combinator S26).", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "rocket cargo", "hypersonics", "logistics" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Matija Milenovic", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Jacob Balaj", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Falcon 9/Heavy booster refurbishment", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Holds a $1.25M US Air Force contract.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Y Combinator: Hop Aero", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/hop-aero" }, { "title": "Payload: Hop Aero wants to deliver cargo via rocket", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/hop-aero-wants-to-deliver-cargo-via-rocket/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "hyperloop-one", "name": "Hyperloop One", "formerly": "Virgin Hyperloop", "tagline": "The best-funded attempt to build a hyperloop.", "description": "Hyperloop One set out to commercialize high-speed pod travel in low-pressure tubes and ran the first passenger test in 2020, before shutting down at the end of 2023. It was co-founded by former SpaceX engineers Brogan BamBrogan and Josh Giegel.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "hyperloop", "transportation" ], "founded": 2014, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "closed", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": 2023, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Brogan BamBrogan", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Dragon heat shield", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Josh Giegel", "role": "Co-founder; later CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": "Raised hundreds of millions of dollars before closing; total not verified here.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Hyperloop One", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperloop_One" }, { "title": "Las Vegas Sun: Hyperloop One shutting down", "url": "https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/dec/21/hyperloop-one-once-tabbed-as-future-of-travel-shut/" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: SpaceX alumni helping build LA's ecosystem", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/20/spacexs-spin-out-startups-are-helping-build-las-startup-ecosystem/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "impulse-space", "name": "Impulse Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Orbital transfer vehicles for last-mile delivery in space.", "description": "Impulse Space builds the Mira and Helios vehicles, which move satellites from where a rocket drops them to the orbits they actually need. Founder Tom Mueller was SpaceX's first employee and led propulsion for nearly two decades, designing the Merlin engine family.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "in-space transport", "propulsion", "orbital transfer" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": { "label": "Redondo Beach, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.85, "lng": -118.39 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.impulsespace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Tom Mueller", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Founding employee; CTO of Propulsion", "spacexTenure": "~19 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 1025000000, "note": "At least: ~$525M through 2025 plus a $500M Series D (June 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series D", "amount": 500000000, "date": "2026-06" }, "valuationUsd": 4260000000, "valuationDate": "Jun 2026" }, "impact": [ "Provides orbital transfer services to commercial and national security customers" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Via Satellite: Impulse raises $500M Series D", "url": "https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026/06/02/impulse-space-raises-another-massive-funding-round-in-500m-series-d/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "k2-space", "name": "K2 Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Very large, high-power satellites designed for heavy-lift rockets.", "description": "K2 Space designs mega-class satellite buses that take advantage of the cheap mass-to-orbit promised by vehicles like Starship. Brothers Karan and Neel Kunjur founded it after Neel spent more than five years on Dragon 2 avionics at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "satellites", "spacecraft buses" ], "founded": 2022, "hq": { "label": "Torrance, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.84, "lng": -118.34 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.k2space.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Karan Kunjur", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Neel Kunjur", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Senior avionics systems engineer, Dragon 2; mission director", "spacexTenure": "5.5 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 950000000, "note": "At least: $450M through Series C plus a $500M Series D (July 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series D", "amount": 500000000, "date": "2026-07" }, "valuationUsd": 6800000000, "valuationDate": "Jul 2026" }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Payload: K2 Space raises $250M Series C", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/k2-space-raises-250m-series-c/" }, { "title": "Comma Capital: The SpaceX Constellation", "url": "https://commacapital.substack.com/p/the-spacex-constellation" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "kalogon", "name": "Kalogon", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Smart cushions that prevent pressure injuries for wheelchair users.", "description": "Kalogon makes a sensor-equipped seat cushion that automatically shifts pressure to prevent sores for people who sit for long periods. It was designed by former SpaceX engineers and is recognized as a NASA spinoff.", "sector": "Health & Bio", "tags": [ "medical devices", "wheelchairs" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Orlando, FL", "state": "FL", "country": "United States", "lat": 28.54, "lng": -81.38 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.kalogon.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Kalogon founding team", "role": "Founders", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineers", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 5750000, "note": "$5.75M Series A.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Viera Voice: Former SpaceX engineers design smart cushions", "url": "https://www.vieravoice.com/senior-life/former-spacex-engineers-design-smart-cushions-for-wheelchairs/article_6877e950-9e5e-11ec-b61c-5b8e736f7195.html" }, { "title": "NASA Spinoff: A better seat for the seated", "url": "https://spinoff.nasa.gov/A_Better_Seat_For_the_Seated" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "kyber-labs", "name": "Kyber Labs", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Dexterous robotic hands for manufacturing.", "description": "Kyber Labs builds robot hands with artificial-muscle-style actuators that can mimic human manipulation on the factory floor. Founder Tyler Habowski was a mechanical design engineer at SpaceX.", "sector": "Robotics", "tags": [ "robotic hands", "actuators" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Tyler Habowski", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Mechanical design engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 1700000, "note": "$1.7M pre-seed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "levels", "name": "Levels", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Metabolic health tracking with continuous glucose monitors.", "description": "Levels pairs continuous glucose monitors with an app that shows how food, sleep and exercise affect blood sugar. Co-founder Josh Clemente was the lead life support engineer for SpaceX's crewed Dragon.", "sector": "Health & Bio", "tags": [ "metabolic health", "wearables", "consumer health" ], "founded": 2019, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.levels.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Josh Clemente", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Lead life support systems engineer", "spacexTenure": "5.5 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 57000000, "note": "$57M per Business Insider.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Levels podcast: Josh Clemente, Levels & SpaceX", "url": "https://www.levels.com/podcasts/josh-clemente-levels-space-x-the-future-of-health-tech-optimizing-metabolic-health" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "long-wall", "name": "Long Wall", "formerly": "ABL Space Systems", "tagline": "Missile defense interceptors and hypersonic test vehicles.", "description": "Founded as ABL Space Systems to build the RS1 small launcher, the company rebranded as Long Wall in 2025 and pivoted to missile defense. Both founders were SpaceX engineers; Harry O'Hanley managed Falcon 9 integration and test.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "missile defense", "hypersonics", "launch" ], "founded": 2017, "hq": { "label": "Long Beach, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.77, "lng": -118.19 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Harry O'Hanley", "role": "Founder, chairman & president", "spacexRole": "Falcon 9 integration & test manager", "spacexTenure": "4 years" }, { "name": "Dan Piemont", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 500000000, "note": "About $500M raised, including launch contracts, per Business Insider and Wikipedia.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SpaceNews: ABL Space renamed Long Wall", "url": "https://spacenews.com/abl-space-renamed-long-wall-as-it-shifts-focus-to-defense-market/" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Long Wall", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Wall_(aerospace_company)" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "lux-aeterna", "name": "Lux Aeterna", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Fully reusable satellites that return and fly again.", "description": "Lux Aeterna is building Delphi, a satellite designed to come back from orbit, be refurbished and relaunch, with a demonstration planned for 2027. CEO Brian Taylor is a SpaceX veteran.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "reusable satellites", "reentry" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Broomfield, CO", "state": "CO", "country": "United States", "lat": 39.92, "lng": -105.09 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Brian Taylor", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "SpaceX veteran", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 10000000, "note": "At least $10M (Mar 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Seed", "amount": 10000000, "date": "2026-03" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: SpaceX veteran says reusable satellites are next", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/lux-aeterna-raises-10-million-for-reusable-satellite-mission/" }, { "title": "Space.com: Colorado startup Lux Aeterna", "url": "https://www.space.com/technology/lux-aeterna-funding-fully-reusable-satellite-delphi" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "machina-labs", "name": "Machina Labs", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Robots that form sheet metal without dedicated tooling.", "description": "Machina Labs uses pairs of industrial robot arms guided by AI to shape large metal parts on demand, removing the months of tooling traditional stamping requires. CEO Edward Mehr previously worked at SpaceX.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "robotics", "metal forming", "defense" ], "founded": 2019, "hq": { "label": "Chatsworth, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.26, "lng": -118.6 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://machinalabs.ai", "founders": [ { "name": "Edward Mehr", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Babak Raeisinia", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 124000000, "note": "At least the $124M Series C (Feb 2026); earlier rounds not totaled here.", "latestRound": { "name": "Series C", "amount": 124000000, "date": "2026-02" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Business Wire: Machina Labs raises $124M", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260204756837/en/Machina-Labs-Raises-$124-Million-to-Scale-Manufacturing-Infrastructure-for-Defense-and-Advanced-Mobility" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "maritime-fusion", "name": "Maritime Fusion", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Fusion reactors designed to power ships.", "description": "Maritime Fusion is developing compact fusion power plants for commercial vessels, starting with high-temperature superconducting cable technology. Founder Justin Cohen previously worked at SpaceX and Tesla.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "fusion", "shipping" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Justin Cohen", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "SpaceX alumnus", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 4500000, "note": "$4.5M seed (Nov 2025).", "latestRound": { "name": "Seed", "amount": 4500000, "date": "2025-11" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "PR Newswire: Maritime Fusion raises $4.5M", "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/y-combinator-backed-maritime-fusion-raises-4-5m-from-trucks-vc-paul-graham-302624213.html" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "medra", "name": "Medra", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Autonomous robotic labs for scientific research.", "description": "Medra builds AI-driven robotic systems that run laboratory experiments autonomously for life-science teams, and raised $52M in 2026. CEO Michelle Lee was a vehicle engineering intern at SpaceX.", "sector": "Robotics", "tags": [ "lab automation", "AI", "biotech" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Michelle Lee", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Vehicle engineering intern", "spacexTenure": "Internship" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 63000000, "note": "At least: $11M and $52M rounds.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": true, "sources": [ { "title": "Endpoints: Medra raises $11M", "url": "https://endpoints.news/exclusive-robotics-startup-medra-raises-11m-to-automate-labs/" }, { "title": "Investing.com (Bloomberg): Medra raises $52 million", "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/medra-raises-52-million-to-build-autonomous-aipowered-lab--bloomberg-93CH-4403537" }, { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "mesh-optical-technologies", "name": "Mesh Optical Technologies", "formerly": null, "tagline": "American-made optical transceivers for AI data centers.", "description": "Mesh mass-produces optical transceivers, the components that link GPUs across a data center, in the United States. Founded by former SpaceX engineers, it drew an acquisition agreement from Elon Musk's SpaceX that the FTC cleared in 2026.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "optical transceivers", "data centers", "AI infrastructure" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Bastrop, TX", "state": "TX", "country": "United States", "lat": 30.11, "lng": -97.32 }, "status": "acquired", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": "SpaceX (FTC clearance, 2026)", "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Mesh founding team", "role": "Founders", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX engineers", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 50000000, "note": "$50M (Feb 2026) before the SpaceX acquisition.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SiliconANGLE: Mesh raises $50M", "url": "https://siliconangle.com/2026/02/17/mesh-optical-technologies-raises-50m-mass-produce-american-made-data-center-links/" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: FTC OKs Musk acquiring Mesh", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/26/ftc-gives-musk-the-ok-to-acquire-spacex-alumni-startup-mesh/" }, { "title": "Austin American-Statesman: Bastrop Mesh acquisition", "url": "https://www.statesman.com/business/article/bastrop-elon-musk-mesh-optical-acquisition-22325714.php" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "mithril", "name": "Mithril", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Shape-changing antennas for satellites.", "description": "Mithril develops electrostatically actuated reflector antennas that can change shape in orbit. Founder Scarlett Koller was a certification engineer on SpaceX life-support control systems.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "antennas", "space domain awareness" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Scarlett Koller", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Certification engineer, life control systems", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fast Company: Inside the SpaceX founder factory", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91518561/inside-spacex-founder-factory-race-solve-next-generation-impossible-problems" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "muir-ai", "name": "Muir AI", "formerly": null, "tagline": "AI that measures supply-chain emissions product by product.", "description": "Muir AI estimates the carbon footprint of purchased products and materials so companies can track emissions across their supply chains. It was founded by Amazon and SpaceX veterans.", "sector": "Climate & Materials", "tags": [ "carbon accounting", "supply chain", "AI" ], "founded": 2023, "hq": { "label": "Seattle, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.61, "lng": -122.33 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Harris Chalat", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Peter Williams", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "SpaceX alumnus", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 3250000, "note": "$3.25M seed (2023).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "GeekWire: Amazon and SpaceX vets start carbon accounting startup", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2023/amazon-and-spacex-vets-apply-their-ai-and-satellite-skills-to-new-carbon-accounting-startup/" }, { "title": "TechCrunch: Muir AI seed round", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/02/carbon-pollution-muir-ai-seed-round/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "muon-space", "name": "Muon Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Satellite constellations for Earth and climate data, built at scale.", "description": "Muon designs and builds satellites for Earth observation, including the FireSat wildfire-detection constellation, and reached unicorn status with a $250M Series C in 2026. 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Co-founder Ben Nowack was an aerospace engineer at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "satellites", "space mirrors", "solar" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": { "label": "Hawthorne, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.92, "lng": -118.35 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.reflectorbital.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Ben Nowack", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Aerospace engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Tristan Semmelhack", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 35200000, "note": "$35.2M including a $20M Series A (May 2025, Lux and Sequoia).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series A", "amount": 20000000, "date": "2025-05" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Reflect Orbital", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflect_Orbital" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "relativity-space", "name": "Relativity Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Reusable medium-lift rockets built with automated manufacturing.", "description": "Relativity began by 3D-printing nearly entire rockets and is now developing Terran R, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle. Co-founder Jordan Noone worked at SpaceX before starting the company; former Google CEO Eric Schmidt became CEO in 2025.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "launch", "3D printing", "rockets" ], "founded": 2015, "hq": { "label": "Long Beach, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.77, "lng": -118.19 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.relativityspace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Jordan Noone", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Tim Ellis", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 1300000000, "note": "More than $1.3B in venture funding reported before Eric Schmidt's 2025 investment.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "Operates a large rocket factory in Long Beach, CA" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "TechCrunch: Eric Schmidt joins Relativity Space as CEO", "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/10/eric-schmidt-joins-relativity-space-as-ceo/" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Relativity Space", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativity_Space" }, { "title": "Via Satellite: How SpaceX alums are shaping the startup economy", "url": "https://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/articles/how-spacex-alums-are-branching-out-and-shaping-the-startup-economy" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "reliable-robotics", "name": "Reliable Robotics", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Autonomy systems that let existing aircraft fly without a pilot on board.", "description": "Reliable Robotics retrofits certified aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan with autonomy and remote piloting, and launched Reliable Airlines for cargo. Both founders spent years at SpaceX: Robert Rose led Falcon 9 flight software and Juerg Frefel ran hardware development.", "sector": "Mobility & Aviation", "tags": [ "autonomous aircraft", "cargo" ], "founded": 2017, "hq": { "label": "Mountain View, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.39, "lng": -122.08 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://reliable.co", "founders": [ { "name": "Robert Rose", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Director of flight software", "spacexTenure": "5.5 years" }, { "name": "Juerg Frefel", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Senior hardware development manager", "spacexTenure": "9.5 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 294000000, "note": "At least: $134M through 2025 plus a $160M round.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": 1000000000, "valuationDate": "2026 (reported)" }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Citybiz: Reliable Robotics raises $160M", "url": "https://www.citybiz.co/article/836089/reliable-robotics-raises-160m-to-scale-autonomous-aviation-systems/" }, { "title": "Fast Company: SpaceX mafia is just getting started", "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91558857/spacex-mafia-just-getting-started" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "revel", "name": "Revel", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Modern software for hardware test and control.", "description": "Revel replaces the patchwork of LabVIEW scripts and custom tooling that hardware companies use to run test stands and control systems. 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Co-founder and CTO Porter Harris developed batteries for Dragon and Falcon 9 at SpaceX.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "batteries", "electric vehicles" ], "founded": 2016, "hq": { "label": "Vernon, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34, "lng": -118.23 }, "status": "acquired", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": "Nikola (2022)", "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Michael Patterson", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Porter Harris", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Battery engineer, Dragon & Falcon 9", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 30000000, "note": "$30M seed before its SPAC listing.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Energy-Storage.news: Former SpaceX battery engineer's start-up", "url": "https://www.energy-storage.news/former-spacex-battery-engineers-start-up-lines-up-us30m-funding-and-us65m-sales/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "senra-systems", "name": "Senra Systems", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Wire harnesses built in the US with modern tooling.", "description": "Senra designs and manufactures wire harnesses, one of the most labor-intensive parts in aircraft, vehicles and weapons, and aims to bring that work back onshore. 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COO Tyler Carnevale worked on special projects at SpaceX and X.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "fintech", "payments", "stablecoins" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Evan Jones", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Payam Abedi", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Tyler Carnevale", "role": "Co-founder & COO", "spacexRole": "Special projects", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 9000000, "note": "$9M seed led by Paradigm (Oct 2025).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fortune: Former SpaceX and X employees raise $9M", "url": "https://fortune.com/crypto/2025/10/28/spacex-x-employees-raise-9-million-for-standard-economics/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "starcloud", "name": "Starcloud", "formerly": "Lumen Orbit", "tagline": "Data centers in orbit, powered by continuous sunlight.", "description": "Starcloud launched an NVIDIA H100 GPU to orbit in November 2025 and says it was first to run a large language model on a high-powered GPU in space. Co-founder Adi Oltean previously worked at SpaceX and Microsoft Azure. The company became Y Combinator's fastest unicorn.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "orbital data centers", "AI compute" ], "founded": 2024, "hq": { "label": "Redmond, WA", "state": "WA", "country": "United States", "lat": 47.67, "lng": -122.12 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.starcloud.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Philip Johnston", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Adi Oltean", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Ezra Feilden", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 454000000, "note": "At least: ~$34M seed, $170M Series A (Mar 2026), $250M (Aug 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series A extension", "amount": 250000000, "date": "2026-08" }, "valuationUsd": 2300000000, "valuationDate": "Aug 2026" }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Starcloud", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starcloud" }, { "title": "Via Satellite: Starcloud adds $250M", "url": "https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026/08/21/starcloud-adds-250m-to-series-a-at-a-2-3b-valuation/" }, { "title": "GeekWire: Starcloud hits $1.1B valuation", "url": "https://www.geekwire.com/2026/orbital-ai-seattle-area-startup-starcloud-hits-1-1b-valuation-to-build-space-based-data-centers/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "starpath", "name": "Starpath", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Mining lunar ice to make rocket propellant.", "description": "Starpath is building rovers, power systems and processing plants to extract water ice from the Moon and convert it into liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellant. Both founders previously worked at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "lunar mining", "propellant", "ISRU" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Saurav Shroff", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Mihir Gondhalekar", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 12000000, "note": "$12M seed led by 8VC and Fusion Fund.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Payload: Starpath raises $12M for lunar ice mining", "url": "https://payloadspace.com/starpath-raises-12m-for-lunar-ice-mining/" }, { "title": "US House testimony of Saurav Shroff (Feb 2025)", "url": "https://docs.house.gov/meetings/II/II15/20250225/117847/HHRG-119-II15-Wstate-ShroffS-20250225.pdf" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "stellar-pizza", "name": "Stellar Pizza", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Robotic kitchens that make pizza inside a truck.", "description": "Stellar Pizza builds automated pizza-making systems into food trucks. 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Brothers Paul and Michael Dabrowski founded it after working as engineers at SpaceX, bringing automation habits from rocket production to biology.", "sector": "Health & Bio", "tags": [ "CRISPR", "genome engineering", "biotech tools" ], "founded": 2012, "hq": { "label": "Redwood City, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.49, "lng": -122.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.synthego.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Paul Dabrowski", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Michael Dabrowski", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Labiotech: How two SpaceX engineers became CRISPR experts", "url": "https://www.labiotech.eu/trends-news/rockets-dna-spacex-crispr/" }, { "title": "Synthego: Paul Dabrowski interview", "url": "https://www.synthego.com/blog/paul-dabrowski-interview/" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "sysgit", "name": "SysGit", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Git-style systems engineering for hardware teams.", "description": "SysGit brings version control, review and traceability to requirements and systems models, aimed at defense and aerospace programs. Co-founder Steve Massey is a former SpaceX engineer.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "systems engineering", "digital engineering" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.sysgit.io", "founders": [ { "name": "Steve Massey", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Duro: Former SpaceX engineer breaks down hardware development", "url": "https://durolabs.co/blog/spacex-engineering/" }, { "title": "SysGit: Team", "url": "https://www.sysgit.io/about" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "telemetron", "name": "Telemetron", "formerly": null, "tagline": "An AI support platform built for hardware products.", "description": "Telemetron combines ticketing, device diagnostics, warranty and RMA workflows with AI agents that can read device data. Both founders worked on Starlink software at SpaceX, where CEO Shivani Patel built Starlink's first AI support tools (Y Combinator F25).", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "customer support", "hardware", "AI agents" ], "founded": 2025, "hq": { "label": "San Francisco, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.77, "lng": -122.42 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Shivani Patel", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Software engineer, Starlink customer support", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Hamza S.", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Software engineer, Starlink", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Y Combinator: Telemetron", "url": "https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/telemetron-ai" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "terrafirma", "name": "TerraFirma", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Remote-controlled and semi-autonomous construction equipment.", "description": "TerraFirma retrofits heavy equipment so operators can work from outside the cab, aimed at critical infrastructure projects on Earth and eventually beyond. The founders are SpaceX alumni.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "construction", "robotics", "autonomy" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Buda, TX", "state": "TX", "country": "United States", "lat": 30.08, "lng": -97.84 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Noah Schochet", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "SpaceX alumnus", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Noah McGuinness", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "SpaceX alumnus", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 115000000, "note": "$115M total, including a $100M Series A (Jul 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series A", "amount": 100000000, "date": "2026-07" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "Moved its headquarters to Buda, TX, bringing robotics jobs to the Austin area" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "CNBC: SpaceX alumni's TerraFirma raises $115M", "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/14/terrafirma-construction-tech-spacex.html" }, { "title": "Business Wire: TerraFirma raises $115M", "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260714397606/en/TerraFirma-Raises-$115M-to-Accelerate-Construction-on-Earth-and-Beyond" }, { "title": "Buda EDC: TerraFirma relocates headquarters to Buda", "url": "https://www.budaedc.com/news/terrafirma-relocates-headquarters-to-buda-bringing-high-tech-jobs-and-advancing-the-regions-ai-and-robotics-innovation/" }, { "title": "Comma Capital: The SpaceX Constellation", "url": "https://commacapital.substack.com/p/the-spacex-constellation" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "thinkorbital", "name": "ThinkOrbital", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Tools for building and repairing structures in orbit.", "description": "ThinkOrbital develops in-space welding, cutting and inspection technology and large orbital platforms. CEO Lee Rosen, a retired US Air Force colonel, previously held a leadership role at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "in-space construction", "welding", "orbital platforms" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "Colorado", "state": null, "country": "United States", "lat": 39.99, "lng": -105.09 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.thinkorbital.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Lee Rosen", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Former SpaceX executive", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SpaceNews: Building a construction firm for space", "url": "https://spacenews.com/building-a-construction-firm-for-space/" }, { "title": "Foundamental: How SpaceX's lessons shape in-space construction", "url": "https://www.foundamental.com/perspectives/lee-rosen---how-spacexs-lessons-are-shaping-in-space-construction-and-operations" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "turion-space", "name": "Turion Space", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Spacecraft that watch, inspect and service other satellites.", "description": "Turion builds its Droid spacecraft for space domain awareness and in-orbit inspection, and sells commercial tracking data to the Space Force. CEO Ryan Westerdahl spent eight years as a dynamics engineer at SpaceX.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "space domain awareness", "satellites", "defense" ], "founded": 2020, "hq": { "label": "Irvine, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.68, "lng": -117.83 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://turionspace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Ryan Westerdahl", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Dynamics engineer", "spacexTenure": "8 years" }, { "name": "Tyler Pierce", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 128000000, "note": "About $128M total including a $75M+ Series B.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Axios: Turion raises Series B", "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/turion-space-force-series-b-andromeda" }, { "title": "Space Ambition: YC space startups", "url": "https://spaceambition.substack.com/p/y-combinator-bets-on-new-space-startups-623" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "ursa-major", "name": "Ursa Major", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Rocket engines and solid rocket motors, sold as products.", "description": "Ursa Major builds liquid engines and solid rocket motors that launch companies and defense primes can buy rather than develop in-house. Founder Joe Laurienti was a SpaceX propulsion engineer.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "propulsion", "rocket engines", "solid rocket motors", "hypersonics" ], "founded": 2015, "hq": { "label": "Berthoud, CO", "state": "CO", "country": "United States", "lat": 40.31, "lng": -105.08 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.ursamajor.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Joe Laurienti", "role": "Founder", "spacexRole": "Propulsion engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 238000000, "note": "At least: $138M (2023) and a $100M Series E.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [ "Supplies propulsion to US hypersonics and launch programs" ], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Ursa Major: $138M raise", "url": "https://ursamajor.com/media/press-release/ursa-majors-dollar138m-boost-new-solid-rocket-motors-and-scaled-propulsion/" }, { "title": "Ursa Major: $100M Series E", "url": "https://ursamajor.com/media/press-release/ursa-major-raises-100-million-closes-series-e/" }, { "title": "Jeff Burke: The SpaceX Effect", "url": "https://jeffburke.substack.com/p/the-spacex-effect-companies-founded" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "varda-space-industries", "name": "Varda Space Industries", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Manufacturing medicines in microgravity and bringing them home.", "description": "Varda flies small autonomous capsules that crystallize pharmaceuticals in orbit and return them to Earth, and has completed multiple reentry missions. CEO Will Bruey spent five years at SpaceX as a spacecraft operator and systems officer.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "in-space manufacturing", "pharmaceuticals", "reentry" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": { "label": "El Segundo, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 33.92, "lng": -118.42 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.varda.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Will Bruey", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Spacecraft operator & systems officer (Dragon)", "spacexTenure": "5 years" }, { "name": "Delian Asparouhov", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 329000000, "note": "About $329M per Business Insider, including a $187M Series C (Jul 2025).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series C", "amount": 187000000, "date": "2025-07" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "CNBC: Varda raises $187 million", "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/10/space-startup-varda-medicine-orbit.html" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "vector-launch", "name": "Vector Launch", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Dedicated launch for small satellites.", "description": "Vector aimed to launch small satellites frequently and cheaply but filed for bankruptcy in 2019; Phantom Space later acquired its assets. Co-founder Jim Cantrell was part of SpaceX's early founding team.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "launch", "small satellites" ], "founded": 2016, "hq": { "label": "Tucson, AZ", "state": "AZ", "country": "United States", "lat": 32.22, "lng": -110.97 }, "status": "closed", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": 2019, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Jim Cantrell", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Early founding team", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "John Garvey", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Wikipedia: Vector Launch", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_Launch" }, { "title": "Tucson.com: Vector files for bankruptcy", "url": "https://tucson.com/business/tucson-satellite-launch-startup-vector-files-for-bankruptcy/article_e06e8a09-8b9a-5fa3-a3a5-f38a33e13b31.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "verustruct", "name": "Verustruct", "formerly": null, "tagline": "A compact printer that builds walls with wiring and plumbing inside.", "description": "Verustruct uses slip-form 3D printing to fabricate full building walls with embedded plumbing, electrical and insulation, from a small machine tethered to a material truck. Founder Nick Callegari designed Dragon structures at SpaceX, including the Polaris Dawn EVA structure.", "sector": "Manufacturing", "tags": [ "housing", "3D printing", "construction" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "New Haven, CT", "state": "CT", "country": "United States", "lat": 41.31, "lng": -72.92 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": null, "founders": [ { "name": "Nick Callegari", "role": "Founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Mechanical engineer, Dragon structures", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 2400000, "note": "$2.4M pre-seed (2025).", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "3DPrint.com: Verustruct and the former SpaceX engineer behind it", "url": "https://3dprint.com/318024/verustruct-housing-ready-3d-printing-tech-and-the-former-spacex-engineer-behind-it/" }, { "title": "Yale SOM: Verustruct closes $2.4M pre-seed", "url": "https://som.yale.edu/story/2025/sustainable-construction-startup-closes-oversubscribed-24-million-pre-seed-fundraising" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "virtus-solis", "name": "Virtus Solis", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Solar power collected in orbit and beamed to Earth.", "description": "Virtus Solis designs space-based solar power stations that would deliver round-the-clock clean energy by beaming it to receivers on the ground. Co-founder John Bucknell was a lead developer of SpaceX's Raptor engine.", "sector": "Energy", "tags": [ "space-based solar", "power beaming" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.virtussolis.space", "founders": [ { "name": "John Bucknell", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Raptor engine lead developer", "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Edward Tate", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Interesting Engineering: Former SpaceX, GM engineers turn to space solar", "url": "https://interestingengineering.com/energy/spacex-gm-space-solar-power" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "vital-lyfe", "name": "Vital Lyfe", "formerly": null, "tagline": "Portable machines that turn almost any water into drinking water.", "description": "Vital Lyfe builds compact desalination and purification systems for off-grid, disaster and backcountry use, and opened a California manufacturing hub. CEO Jonathan Criss spent more than a decade at SpaceX on Dragon and Starlink.", "sector": "Climate & Materials", "tags": [ "water", "desalination" ], "founded": null, "hq": { "label": "CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": null, "lng": null }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.vital-lyfe.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Jonathan Criss", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Engineer, Dragon & Starlink", "spacexTenure": "10+ years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 24000000, "note": "$24M seed (Dec 2025).", "latestRound": { "name": "Seed", "amount": 24000000, "date": "2025-12" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SiliconANGLE: Vital Lyfe raises $24M", "url": "https://siliconangle.com/2025/12/16/vital-lyfe-raises-24m-funding-make-kind-water-source-clean-enough-drink/" }, { "title": "Heatmap: Elon Musk's climate tech mafia", "url": "https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/spacex-tesla-founders" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "vori", "name": "Vori", "formerly": null, "tagline": "An operating system for independent grocery stores.", "description": "Vori gives independent grocers point-of-sale, inventory and AI ordering tools so they can compete with national chains. CTO Robert Pinkerton was a vehicle systems engineer at SpaceX.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "retail software", "grocery", "POS" ], "founded": null, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.vori.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Brandon Hill", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Robert Pinkerton", "role": "Co-founder & CTO", "spacexRole": "Vehicle systems engineer", "spacexTenure": "1 year" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 49900000, "note": "At least: $27.9M through 2025 plus a $22M Series B (May 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Series B", "amount": 22000000, "date": "2026-05" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Fortune: Vori raises $22 million", "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/05/05/exclusive-ai-grocery-startup-vori-raises-22-million-to-help-independent-retailers-compete-with-walmart-and-amazon/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "wraithwatch", "name": "Wraithwatch", "formerly": null, "tagline": "AI that defends against AI-generated cyberattacks.", "description": "Wraithwatch builds security software that uses generative AI to anticipate and counter attacks, and won a federal contract worth up to $30M. Co-founder Nik Seetharaman previously led cybersecurity at SpaceX.", "sector": "Defense", "tags": [ "cybersecurity", "AI" ], "founded": 2023, "hq": { "label": "Los Angeles, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 34.05, "lng": -118.24 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://wraithwatch.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Nik Seetharaman", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Head of cybersecurity", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 8000000, "note": "$8M seed.", "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SecurityWeek: Former SpaceX engineers get $8M for Wraithwatch", "url": "https://www.securityweek.com/former-spacex-engineers-get-8-million-in-funding-for-ai-security-firm-wraithwatch/" }, { "title": "Yahoo Finance: Wraithwatch selected for $30M federal contract", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wraithwatch-selected-30m-federal-contract-153500222.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "xona-space-systems", "name": "Xona Space Systems", "formerly": null, "tagline": "A GPS alternative from low Earth orbit.", "description": "Xona is deploying Pulsar, a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites that broadcast stronger, harder-to-jam positioning signals than GPS. CEO Brian Manning was a SpaceX responsible engineer for thrust structures.", "sector": "Space", "tags": [ "navigation", "PNT", "satellites" ], "founded": 2019, "hq": { "label": "Burlingame, CA", "state": "CA", "country": "United States", "lat": 37.58, "lng": -122.35 }, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://www.xonaspace.com", "founders": [ { "name": "Brian Manning", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": "Responsible engineer, thrust structure", "spacexTenure": "2 years" } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": 320000000, "note": "At least: $150M+ through 2025 plus a $170M round (Mar 2026).", "latestRound": { "name": "Growth", "amount": 170000000, "date": "2026-03" }, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "SiliconANGLE: Xona nabs $170M", "url": "https://siliconangle.com/2026/03/26/satellite-navigation-startup-xona-space-nabs-170m-investment/" }, { "title": "Business Insider via Yahoo: The SpaceX Mafia is here", "url": "https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-mafia-100001658.html" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" }, { "slug": "zoo", "name": "Zoo", "formerly": "KittyCAD", "tagline": "Text-to-CAD and a modern CAD engine for hardware design.", "description": "Zoo builds hardware design infrastructure, including a geometry engine, APIs and a text-to-CAD model that generates editable parts from prompts. Co-founder Jordan Noone was previously a SpaceX engineer and co-founded Relativity Space.", "sector": "Software & AI", "tags": [ "CAD", "AI", "design software" ], "founded": 2021, "hq": null, "status": "active", "ticker": null, "acquiredBy": null, "closedYear": null, "website": "https://zoo.dev", "founders": [ { "name": "Jessie Frazelle", "role": "Co-founder & CEO", "spacexRole": null, "spacexTenure": null }, { "name": "Jordan Noone", "role": "Co-founder", "spacexRole": "Engineer", "spacexTenure": null } ], "funding": { "disclosedUsd": null, "note": null, "latestRound": null, "valuationUsd": null, "valuationDate": null }, "impact": [], "internFounder": false, "sources": [ { "title": "Zoo: Introducing KittyCAD", "url": "https://zoo.dev/blog/introducing-kittycad" }, { "title": "Wikipedia: Jordan Noone", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Noone" } ], "lastVerified": "2026-09-30" } ] }