The Space Companies Getting A Boost From Midas List Members

 

A number of industry giants from Silicon Valley have made a name in recent years by getting involved with space startups, most famously Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen and, of course, Elon Musk.

The venture capitalists of the Midas List may be most famous for investing in software companies, but they're no stranger to investing in space startups, either. Here's a few notable space startups that have launched in recent years with the help of Midas List members.

Planet

Satellite startup Planet currently has over 100 small satellites in orbit, sending a constant stream of imagery to the company. Planet also recently acquired Terra Bella (formerly Skybox) from Google. Among its Midas List investors are Yuri Milner, Rob Hayes from First Round Capital, and Founders Fund. 

Rocket Lab

Los Angeles-based Rocket Lab is bringing the industrial revolution to the space industry, with a plan to mass produce rockets with the help of 3D printing. Midas List firms backing the rocket startup, which is valued at over $1 billion, include Bessemer Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures.

Accion Systems

With help from Midas List firms Founder Collective and Founders Fund, Charlestown, MA-based Accion Systems wants to change how satellites move when they're in orbit. They've developed an tiny ion propulsion system for smaller satellites, which means new opportunities for companies to extend the life of their satellites or move them to more advantageous locations.

Accion System's cofounders, Louis Perna and Natalya Brikner are also alumni of the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 List.

Spire Global

Spire is another space startup aiming to use small satellites to gather data from around the globe. Spire is focused on gathering data on ocean shipments and weather. The company signed a contract to provide NOAA with weather data last Fall. Midas Lister David Cowan of BVP is one of its investors.

SpaceX

Elon Musk has put a lot of his own money into SpaceX, which made history this year when it launched a rocket that it had previously launched and landed. But Musk isn't its only investor. Founders Fund, which boasts three Midas List members, has participated in several funding rounds.

See the full 2017 Midas List here.

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