UK-based space tech innovator Space Forge has successfully raised a record-breaking $30 million Series A funding round, the largest ever secured by a UK space tech company. This milestone funding, equivalent to £22.6 million, was led by the NATO Innovation Fund and included notable contributions from the World Fund, National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), and the British Business Bank through its Regional Angels Programme.
Space Forge is pioneering advanced materials manufacturing in space, leveraging the extraordinary conditions found in Low Earth Orbit such as microgravity, vacuum, and extreme temperature differentials. These unique environmental factors enable Space Forge to create materials that are impossible to produce on Earth, particularly focusing on ultra-efficient semiconductor seed crystals. The company’s technology aims to manufacture larger, high-purity wafers of semiconductor materials, which have critical applications in quantum computing, clean energy, defence technologies, and semiconductor supply chains.
The fresh capital will accelerate the development of ForgeStar-2, Space Forge’s next-generation returnable manufacturing satellite, while simultaneously supporting the first in-orbit demonstration mission, ForgeStar-1, scheduled for launch in 2025. This strategic approach will not only advance the company’s manufacturing capabilities but also strengthen the resilience of semiconductor supply chains by reducing reliance on vulnerable Earth-based production facilities.
CEO Joshua Western underscored the groundbreaking nature of their work, stating:
“Our space-manufactured semiconductors and supermaterials are designed to dramatically outperform what’s possible with traditional Earth-based production.”
In addition to technological innovation, Space Forge’s materials have promising environmental benefits. Research linked to the company suggests space-made materials could reduce CO₂ emissions by 75% and energy consumption by 60% in critical infrastructure sectors, positioning the company at the forefront of the clean-tech transition and climate resilience efforts.
Strategic partnerships with aerospace and defense leaders such as Sierra Space and Northrop Grumman further bolster Space Forge’s position to lead the commercialization of in-space manufacturing from LEO. Besides producing advanced materials, Space Forge plans to generate revenue by selling launch slots to other businesses and organizations looking to capitalize on manufacturing in space.
This Series A round builds on Space Forge’s earlier $10.2 million seed funding, signaling growing investor confidence in the transformative potential of space-based industrial manufacturing. With this new infusion of capital and strategic backing, Space Forge is set to revolutionize how critical materials for high-tech industries are made, offering both competitive and environmental advantages.
Team V.3-UAE
