Funding round
The Exploration Company Series C
The Exploration Company, which works in reusable spacecraft manufacturing in Planegg, raised $450M in a Series C round announced on 8 Sep 2026, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Atomico and EQT. 8 firms took part. It is The Exploration Company's fourth venture round on record; the one before was a Series B in Nov 2024.
$450M
Amount raised
Not disclosed
Post-money valuation
8
Investors
3 leads
Valuation
What this round says about the price
The Exploration Company did not disclose a valuation in this round. It came 22 months after The Exploration Company's Series B. It is 68% of the $660M The Exploration Company has raised in the venture rounds on record. No later venture round is on record for The Exploration Company.
The Exploration Company's funding rounds
The Exploration Company has 4 venture rounds on record. This one is highlighted.
Investors
Who put money in
Bessemer Venture Partners, Atomico and EQT led the round with 5 other firms.
Lead investors
- Bessemer Venture Partners backs 412 venture-backed companies new investor
- Atomico backs 123 venture-backed companies new investor
- EQT backs 99 venture-backed companies new investor
Also in the round
- Balderton Capital backs 140 venture-backed companies new investor
- backs 31 venture-backed companies new investor
- backs 92 venture-backed companies new investor
- backs 13 venture-backed companies new investor
- Scaleup Europe Fund new investor
Joined the board: Alex Ferrara (Bessemer Venture Partners).
Use of proceeds
What the money is for
According to the announcement, the money goes to hiring, product development, geographic expansion, scaling operations and working capital.
- Hiring
- Product development
- Geographic expansion
- Scaling operations
- Working capital
Comparable rounds
How it compares
14 Series C rounds in Aerospace and Defence within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $244M, and this round was 1.8 times the median. The closest in time, other companies' Series C rounds in Aerospace and Defence:
| Company | Announced | Amount | Post-money | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace and Defence | 1 Sep 2026 | $334M | not disclosed | Mitsubishi Electric and COFIDES |
| Aerospace and Defence | 7 Sep 2026 | $100M | not disclosed | Temasek and Seraphim Space |
| Castelion Aerospace and Defence | 19 Aug 2026 | $1.00B | $13.00B | J.P. MorganChase’s Strategic Investment Group and Andreessen Horowitz |
| Muon Space Aerospace and Defence | 20 Aug 2026 | $250M | $1.50B | Eclipse |
| Aerospace and Defence | 11 Aug 2026 | $250M | $2.50B | Sequoia Capital and American Strategic Technology Fund |
| Aerospace and Defence | 16 Jul 2026 | $70M | not disclosed | Swisscom Ventures |
| Mach Industries Aerospace and Defence | 2 Jun 2026 | $300M | $1.80B | Infinite Capital and Ribbit |
| Sierra Space Aerospace and Defence | 5 Mar 2026 | $550M | $8.00B | LuminArx Capital Management |
Sources
Where this comes from
Reported by 6 sources. The deal data marks this round as not yet confirmed by an official announcement. Unconfirmed
Questions
Frequently asked
How much did The Exploration Company raise in its Series C round?
The Exploration Company raised $450M in its Series C round, announced in Sep 2026.
Who led The Exploration Company's Series C round?
Bessemer Venture Partners, Atomico and EQT led it, with Balderton Capital, Plural, Cherry Ventures, Red River West and Scaleup Europe Fund.
What was The Exploration Company's valuation at the Series C round?
It was not disclosed.
How does it compare with other Series C rounds in Aerospace and Defence?
14 Series C rounds in Aerospace and Defence within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $244M, and this round was 1.8 times the median.