What is Orbex?
Founded in 2015, Orbex has established itself as Europes leading private launch services company, specifically catering to the burgeoning small satellite industry. The company has engineered a sophisticated, low-carbon micro-launch vehicle designed for high performance. Orbex operates from a strategic launch site in Europe, enabling efficient access to polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits. Their service model emphasizes flexibility, offering a core launch capability complemented by a suite of services aimed at simplifying the customer experience. The companys European base contributes to reduced supply chain complexities, streamlined communications, and lower operational expenditures, while its advanced launch technology promises enhanced reliability and adaptable mission profiles for a scheduled launch service.
How much funding has Orbex raised?
Orbex has raised a total of $142.6M across 5 funding rounds:
Other Financing Round
$21.1M
Grant
$3M
Other Financing Round
$24M
Series C
$66M
Series D
$28.4M
Other Financing Round (2018): $21.1M, investors not publicly disclosed
Grant (2020): $3M led by The European Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Program
Other Financing Round (2020): $24M supported by BGF, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Heartcore Capital, Elecnor, and Octopus Ventures
Series C (2024): $66M featuring Octopus Ventures, Scottish National Investment Bank, Verve Ventures, Danish Export and Investment Fund, Jacobs, and BGF
Series D (2025): $28.4M backed by UK Government, Octopus Ventures, and Eifo
Key Investors in Orbex
Octopus Ventures
Octopus Ventures is a founder-focused venture capital firm that backs mission-driven companies across software, climate, health, consumer, and financial technology, offering long-term capital and guidance.
Scottish National Investment Bank
The Scottish National Investment Bank is a development investment bank providing long-term capital for businesses and projects across Scotland, focusing on climate change, community transformation, and innovation.
Verve Ventures
Verve Ventures is a network and technology-driven venture capital firm investing in digital, tangible, and health & bio startups across Europe, providing access to a pan-European network of investors.
What's next for Orbex?
The substantial enterprise-level funding, particularly the recent major strategic investment, positions Orbex for accelerated growth and market penetration. This capital infusion is expected to fuel further development of their launch vehicle technology, expand operational capacity, and solidify their competitive advantage in the European and global small satellite launch market. The companys focus on low-carbon solutions aligns with increasing industry demand for sustainable space operations. Orbex is poised to leverage this financial backing to scale its services, enhance its launch cadence, and capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding small satellite deployment sector.
See full Orbex company page
