Deeptech
Q4 202307.12.2023

Spacetech

Picture of Federico Scolari

Federico Scolari

at Sifted

2023 has been a fine year for European deeptech — and a great one for rockets and spaceships. The only major region to outpace funding from 2022, Europe's share of the global ‘moon pie’ boomed from 14.8% to 18.8% in 2023, propelled by sizeable rounds across the board — including Isar Aerospace's $165m Series C in March and D-Orbit's €100m round, which landed in November.

That's some way off the US' firepower — 30% off it to be exact — but still a firm step forward: more companies are both building in-house and collaborating transatlantically as Europe looks to take one giant leap and become a competitive space hub. Importantly, growth is being pushed by domestic cash too as the sector matures: 68.9% of funding was home-grown in 2023, up 33% from the year before.

20 most promising early-stage startups

  • The Exploration Company logo

    Sifted score

    8.22
    -

    The Exploration Company

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Hiring

    • Year founded

      2021

    • HQ

      Gilching, Germany

    • Latest round

      Series A
      €40m / Feb 2023

    • Total funding

      €45.3m

    View company profile
  • InterstellarLab logo

    Sifted score

    8.03
    -

    InterstellarLab

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Serial founder(s)
    • Hiring

    • Year founded

      2020

    • HQ

      Paris, France

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €4.5m / Mar 2022

    • Total funding

      €5.5m

    View company profile
  • Reflex Aerospace logo

    Sifted score

    7.77
    -

    Reflex Aerospace

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Serial founder(s)
    • Hiring

    • Year founded

      2021

    • HQ

      Berlin, Germany

    • Latest round

      Seed
      €1.8m / May 2023

    • Total funding

      €10.3m

    View company profile
  • RFA - Rocket Factory logo

    Sifted score

    6.94
    -

    RFA - Rocket Factory

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Hiring

    • Year founded

      2018

    • HQ

      Augsburg, Germany

    • Latest round

      Grant
      €4m / Aug 2023

    • Total funding

      €30.5m

    View company profile
  • ThrustMe logo

    Sifted score

    6.93
    -

    ThrustMe

    • Strong investor(s)
    • Hiring

    • Year founded

      2017

    • HQ

      Verrières-le-Buisson, France

    • Latest round

      Grant
      €2m / Oct 2021

    • Total funding

      €6.1m

    View company profile

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