Insider Brief
- Airbus Ventures has launched its fourth fund, “Fund-Y,” raising $155 million to invest in the expanding space sector and broader deep tech ecosystem. This brings the firm’s total assets under management to $465 million.
- Over half of Fund-Y’s capital comes from external investors, including institutional players, private equity firms, and family offices allowing for greater flexibility in investment decisions and a focus on long-term opportunities in deep tech.
- The fund aims to support early-stage deep tech companies, with space being a significant area of interest. Airbus Ventures has already invested about one-third of its total capital in space-related companies, including 14 “pure-play” space startups.
Airbus Ventures, a prominent investor in space startups, has reportedly launched its fourth fund, “Fund-Y,” raising $155 million to invest in the expanding space sector and broader deep tech ecosystem. This new fund brings the firm’s total assets under management to $465 million.
A Unique Approach to Venture Capital
Unlike traditional corporate venture capital firms, Airbus Ventures operates independently from its parent company, Airbus. Over half of Fund-Y’s capital comes from external investors, including institutional players, private equity firms, and family offices. This structure allows for greater flexibility in investment decisions and a focus on long-term opportunities in deep tech.
Investment Strategy
Thomas d’Halluin, Managing Partner at Airbus Ventures, emphasized the firm’s focus on startups tackling complex scientific and engineering challenges. The fund aims to support early-stage deep tech companies, with space being a significant area of interest. Airbus Ventures has already invested about one-third of its total capital in space-related companies, including 14 “pure-play” space startups.
Global Expansion
While Airbus Ventures has primarily invested in U.S.-based startups, Fund-Y adopts a global perspective. d’Halluin highlights the strong momentum in space startups in Europe and Japan, indicating the firm’s intention to increase its investment footprint in these regions.
As the space industry rebounds from recent challenges, Airbus Ventures’ new fund is well-positioned to shape the future of space and deep tech sectors, supporting innovative startups that push the boundaries of science and engineering.
Image credit: Airbus Ventures
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