Each quarter, we prepare the Seraphim Space Index — an infographic which visualises global VC funding in space technology startups. Here is the 2018 Q3 edition, with deals & statistics covering Oct 2017 to Sep 2018.

With an impressive $3.2bn total funding YTD, investment in space continues to rise. Notable deals from Q3 include ThrustMe (electric satellite propulsion), Impossible Aerospace (lightweight drones), Spacety (microsatellite platform), Terran Orbital (launch services), iSpace China (re-usable rockets), Gilmour Space Technologies (low-cost hybrid rockets), OneSpace (lightweight rockets), HyperSat (Earth observation satellites), HawkEye 360 (RF mapping satellites), GHGSat (gas monitoring satellites), Capella Space (SAR satellite constellation), BridgeSat (optical laser communications), SmartSky Networks (in-flight 4G), Global Surface Intelligence (EO data analytics), LeoLabs (space debris mapping), Aerobotics (aerial insight for agriculture), Ursa Space Systems (EO analytics for energy), Kayrros (data analytics for energy), and Windward (EO analytics for maritime risk).

Seraphim Space Camp: “It is great to see $138m being invested in seed stage companies and even better to see @GSiEarth from our 1st Mission picked out as one of the most notable transactions, being 1 of only 2 seed stage deals on the list. Congratulations!” (accelerator programme)

Our research encompasses all areas of space technology, which includes startups in Upstream (space & drone hardware), Downstream (space-enabled applications), and Ecosystem (related technologies & platforms).

Startups are also categorised into Seraphim’s data life cycle: Build -> Launch -> Collect -> Downlink -> Store -> Analyse -> Product

This reflects the vertical process through which space systems are (1) designed & manufactured, (2) launched into orbit with rockets, (3) collect data about the Earth with satellites, (4) send it back down to ground stations, (5) store & process that data, (6) analyse it with AI software, and (7) transform it into space-enabled applications. The result of this process is a new paradigm which allows startups to deliver unprecedented levels of insight and/or connectivity for various sectors on Earth.

This same “systems approach” can also be applied to drones & UAV, which Seraphim sees as identical to satellites in terms of viewing the Earth from above — only from a lower altitude. This data life cycle’s end products include solutions to address problems in Environment, Logistics, Energy, Telecoms, Finance, Transport, Agriculture, Construction, Government, and more.

Financial Times: “According to the Seraphim Spacetech Index, in the 12 months to 31 March 2018 the UK accounted for 43 per cent of the space tech companies funded by venture capital across the entire EU.” (Q2 2018)

https://www.ft.com/content/64c9d77c-4a12-11e8-8ae9-4b5ddcca99b3

https://seraphimcapital.co.uk/insight/news/seraphim-global-space-index-october-2017-september-2018-32bn-venture-funding