NATO Innovation Fund Invests in Isar Aerospace
NATO Innovation Fund Invests in Isar Aerospace
Extends Series C to Over $236 Million
The NATO Innovation Fund has made its first direct investment in a satellite service launch provider. Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace recently announced a significant extension of its Series C round by more than €65 million (≈$70 million), now totaling more than €220 million (≈$236 million).
"We will support Isar with adoption pathways across government and commercial opportunities.”
Andrea Traversone, NATO Innovation Fund
Other new investors in the extension round included the European family office G3T as well as 10x Group, Besant Capital, Finadvice Med HOLDINGS and LP&E. Existing investors Lakestar, Earlybird, Airbus Ventures, Bayern Kapital and UVC Partners also participated significantly in the extension round.
The NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) is a standalone venture capital fund backed by 24 NATO Allies which deploys in excess of €1 billion (≈$1.07 billion) to empower deep tech companies addressing challenges in defense, security and resilience. This marks the first-ever direct investment in a satellite service launch provider from the NATO Innovation Fund and highlights the multifaceted importance of space technologies, which are pivotal for both civilian innovation and defense capabilities.
"Access to space is critical to the technological sovereignty of Europe and the UK. Space technologies like Isar’s hold immense promise and will enable us to build a secure and prosperous future for generations to come," said Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner of the NATO Innovation Fund. "We will support Isar with adoption pathways across government and commercial opportunities.”
Leading nations, including the United States, already shifted their space and defense strategies to rely heavily on commercial space capabilities, as procuring private commercial services and products is more innovative, efficient and, above all, more cost-efficient.
“The investment by the NATO Innovation Fund in Isar Aerospace is a strong sign of confidence in our approach and underlines the fundamental role of space technologies for our economies and societies. Even more, it shows that European governments need to promote and leverage private innovation and products to keep up globally,” said Daniel Metzler, Co-Founder and CEO of Isar Aerospace.
In May 2024, Isar Aerospace announced the establishment of a commercial launch vehicle production facility near Munich, Germany. In collaboration with the pan-European real estate company VGP Group who will develop and build the facility, Isar Aerospace will be able to produce 40 Spectrum launch vehicles per year in the future.
This latest funding will enable Isar Aerospace to continue investing in the build-up and equipment for its series production. The company’s high degree of automation and scalability positions Isar Aerospace to serve the increasing private and public sector demand for transporting small and medium-sized satellites and satellite constellations into space.