The Emerging Space Market: $17.8 Billion in Investment to Date and Climbing

NSR Report Finds Maturing Market to Soon Create Winners and Losers Amidst Increasing Field of Players


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NSR’s Emerging Space Markets Analysis, 2nd Edition (ESMA2) report, released today, tracked over $17.8 Billion invested in Emerging Space companies from 2000-2018 for the more than 600 companies founded over that period. The last 2 years (2018 and 2017 combined) saw tremendous growth with more than $7 B+ investment in Emerging Space companies.

A market pushing for commercialization of space, coupled with increased investor interest in a bigger and bolder vision of Emerging Space startups, makes the space market ripe for even more disruption. However, as the Emerging Space market presents opportunities, it is also highly competitive and sometimes a hard nut to crack given its CAPEX-intensive nature. With time, the market will grow even more dynamic and increasingly generate both winners and losers. 

“An increasing number of startups are receiving venture capital and follow-on investments as they complete their promised milestones,” states NSR Senior Analyst, and report author, Sumanta Pal. “The investment community is funding diverse applications along the industry value chain, and traditional means of financing are increasingly available to Emerging Space players as well. “

NSR’s Emerging Space Markets Analysis, 2nd Edition (ESMA2) study identifies the roles of strategic investors, wealthy entrepreneurs, and venture capital (VC) in the Emerging Space market, as well as angel investors, governments, foundations, and alternative means of funding startups. “77% of Emerging Space investments are equity based, and VC investments comprise an increasing share of the pie and will continue to grow, making it an important source of emerging market disruption,” adds Pal. This share will rise moving forward, as business plans and R&D mature and with many investors increasingly bullish on the market.

As the young market is heading towards maturity, it will create winners and losers along the way. More M&A activity is expected in the future, and exits for investors in the midterm can be expected. Many of the companies are still in the R&D phase, but an increasing number of the companies are entering operations, forming partnerships, and trying to enter the market quickly to get an early entrant advantage as some markets already show signs of saturation.

About the Report
Emerging Space Markets Analysis, 2nd Edition (ESMA2) is a critical report providing facts and figures underlying investment and activity on the Emerging Space economy, building on NSR’s unique perspective, global coverage and critical market analysis.  Over the past 18 years, hundreds of private and emerging players have entered the space industry, bringing new practices and more novel applications than at any other point in the space industry’s history. NSR investigates the current dynamic of the global Emerging Space market. The report tracks Emerging Space players from around the globe, since 2000, along with the investors, and their respective investments. It also analyzes the disruptive forces, restraints and challenges and finally the ecosystem around Emerging Space players. Supported by diverse investments, these players have not only grabbed headlines but also raised many questions: Will they grow the pie exponentially? Will they attract different consumers and investors to the satellite industry with new ways of operating? Or will they be challenged to generate interest and provide the promised ROI?  For additional information on this report, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at +1-617-674-7743.

About NSR
NSR is the leading global market research and consulting firm focused on the satellite and space sectors. NSR’s global team, unparalleled coverage and anticipation of trends with a higher degree of confidence and precision than the competition is the cornerstone of all NSR offerings.  First to market coverage and a transparent, dependable approach sets NSR apart as the key provider of critical insight to the satellite and space industries.  Contact us at info@nsr.com to discuss how we can assist your business.