Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company founded by Ukrainian Max Polyakov, has announced the closing of the third tranche of Series C round, valuing the company at $1.5 billion pre-money.
- The round is led by existing investors including AE Industrial Partners, LP, as well as new investors including Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
- Firefly Aerospace has raised approximately $300 million in funding since February 2023.
- The company expects to announce a close of its current financing round in the near future.
“We have been successful at raising funds at an increased valuation in this challenging capital markets environment due to our focus on production and mission execution. Following our most recent success with the groundbreaking launch of the VICTUS NOX mission by the U.S. Space Force, we have seen heightened interest from new investors”,
said Bill Weber, CEO Firefly Aerospace.
Firefly Aerospace was initially founded by Max Polyakov, however, due to pressure from US regulators, Polyakov transferred 58% of Firefly for $1 to his partner, co-founder and CEO Thomas Markusic. Back then, the stake was worth $500 million.
Right now, the company is doing really good: it constantly cooperates with NASA and US air forces. In September of 2023, Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha rocket as part of the Victus Nox mission commissioned by the US Space Force (USSF). This is the third successful launch of the Alpha rocket.
