Table Of Content
How to Invest in SpaceX: Can You Buy Stock?
As of 2025, SpaceX remains a privately held company, meaning its stock is not available for public purchase on any stock exchange.
This status restricts direct investment opportunities for individual investors.
SpaceX has no immediate plans to go public, as the company prefers to maintain control over its long-term objectives without the pressures associated with public markets.
Ways Accredited Investors Can Gain Exposure to SpaceX
Indirect investing in SpaceX offers accredited investors the chance to gain exposure to the company without owning shares directly on the stock market.
Pre-IPO platforms like EquityZen and Forge: These marketplaces allow qualified investors to buy shares from SpaceX employees or early investors. For example, someone might purchase equity through Forge if an employee decides to sell their vested shares.
Venture capital funds with SpaceX exposure: Some VC firms, such as Space.VC or Baillie Gifford, include SpaceX in their portfolios. Investors who contribute capital to these funds indirectly benefit from SpaceX’s growth.
Private equity partnerships: In 2020, Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company acquired a 94% stake in Falcon CI IV LP, which holds SpaceX shares—giving the firm a backdoor entry into SpaceX.
Space-themed funds like ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX): This fund specifically targets private market innovators, allocating a portion to SpaceX. As of late 2024, it had over 16% of its portfolio in SpaceX-related assets.
These methods are typically limited to accredited investors and carry higher risk due to lack of liquidity and limited public information.
Nonetheless, they offer a rare path to participate in SpaceX’s rapid innovation before a potential IPO.
What Companies Own SpaceX Stock?
While individual investors cannot directly purchase SpaceX stock, several institutional entities have acquired significant stakes in the company:
- Google and Fidelity Investments: In January 2015, these firms collectively invested $1 billion in SpaceX, acquiring an 8.333% ownership stake. This strategic move aimed to support SpaceX's ambitious projects, such as the Starlink satellite constellation.
- International Holding Company (IHC): Based in Abu Dhabi, IHC purchased a 94% stake in Falcon CI IV LP, a private equity fund with investments in SpaceX. This acquisition indirectly provided IHC with a substantial interest in SpaceX.
- ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX): Managed by ARK Invest, this fund focuses on private market disruptors and, as of December 2024, had allocated approximately 16% of its portfolio to SpaceX.
- ERShares Crossover ETF (XOVR): This exchange-traded fund invests in both public and private companies, dedicating about 12.3% of its assets to SpaceX as of December 2024.
These investments illustrate how institutional investors gain exposure to SpaceX's growth potential through private equity funds and strategic partnerships, avenues typically inaccessible to the general public.
Alternatives to Buying SpaceX Stock
Investing directly in SpaceX isn't possible due to its private status. However, there are alternative investment opportunities in the aerospace sector that offer exposure to the industry's growth:
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Invest in Publicly Traded Space Companies
Companies like Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) provide satellite launch services and have a growing presence in the space industry.
For instance, Rocket Lab has completed over 50 successful launches, positioning itself as a key player in the small satellite launch market.
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Consider Aerospace and Defense Giants
Firms such as Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) have substantial space divisions.
Lockheed Martin, for example, is involved in satellite manufacturing and space exploration missions, offering investors exposure to both defense and space sectors.
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Explore Space-Focused ETFs
Exchange-traded funds like the Procure Space ETF (NASDAQ: UFO) and ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (BATS: ARKX) invest in a range of companies within the space industry.
These ETFs provide diversified exposure, reducing the risk associated with investing in a single company.
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Look into Emerging Space Technology Firms
Companies such as Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) specialize in Earth imaging and satellite data.
Planet Labs operates a fleet of satellites capturing daily images of Earth, serving clients in agriculture, government, and environmental sectors.
FAQ
SpaceX is primarily owned by Elon Musk and a group of early investors, including Google and Fidelity. Institutional funds and private equity firms also hold shares.
Retail investors generally cannot invest directly before an IPO unless they are accredited and gain access through secondary markets or venture funds.
Platforms like EquityZen and Forge allow accredited investors to buy shares from existing shareholders, such as early employees. These transactions are subject to restrictions and minimums.
The ARK Venture Fund has invested in SpaceX as part of its portfolio focused on private disruptive companies. It's one of the few public funds offering SpaceX exposure.
SpaceX is not included in most ETFs due to its private status, but some hybrid funds like ARKX or UFO may include related companies or suppliers.
While Google and Fidelity have invested in SpaceX, their individual shareholders do not benefit directly. These are private institutional investments.
Elon Musk has suggested that SpaceX may stay private until its Mars mission goals are stable. There’s no confirmed IPO date at this time.
Yes, companies like Rocket Lab, Boeing, or Lockheed Martin offer public exposure to space innovation. These firms have direct involvement in launch services or satellite tech.
Indirect investing refers to getting exposure through funds or secondary shares. Alternatives include investing in similar or competing public space companies.
