US$ 10 Billion Vote of Confidence in Emerging Space Market Opportunity

Cambridge, Mass., September 5, 2017 – NSR’s newest report The Emerging Space Market Opportunity, releasing tomorrow, finds that nearly 400 emerging space companies have been founded since 2000, all seeking to deliver new applications or pursue new approaches to operating in space. Supported by $10 billion in investment, these start-ups set the stage for an increase in the number and diversity of satellite services, new launch solutions and manufacturing practices, as well as innovative ways of operating in space that provide both near- and long-term revenue opportunities.

“Emerging Space is a budding ecosystem, with companies emerging across an entire value chain to tap into growing demand and enable the success of the market as a whole,” noted Carolyn Belle, NSR Senior Analyst and report author. NSR found the rate of company establishment has increased exponentially since 2000, with new players like dedicated small satellite launch providers and downlink services forming to fill unmet demand. The investment community has taken an interest in players across all segments.
 
The Emerging Space Market Opportunity study identified strategic investors, wealthy entrepreneurs, and venture capital as the leading players in investment volume, while angel investors support the greatest number of deals. “35% of emerging space companies have secured outside investment, trading equity for growth capital as well as access to expertise and key partnerships,” added Belle. This share will increase moving forward, as business plans and R&D mature and with many investors increasingly bullish on the market.
 
A young market poised for growth and positioned to impact the entire space industry, Emerging Space will also be subject to failures and intensifying merger & acquisition activity in the coming years. The many companies still in R&D or early operational stages must commercialize their products, or risk losing valuable first and second mover advantage as new markets are established.

Over the past decade, hundreds of players have entered the space industry, bringing new practices and more novel applications than at any other point in the industry’s history. Supported by diverse private investment, these players have grabbed headlines but also raised many questions: Will they grow the pie exponentially? Will they attract different consumers and investors to the satellite industry with new ways of operating? Or will they be challenged to generate interest and provide the promised ROI?  NSR answers these questions in The Emerging Space Market Opportunity, a critical report providing facts and figures underlying investment and activity on this emerging space economy, building on NSR’s unique perspective and critical market analysis.

For additional information on this report, including a full table of contents, list of exhibits and executive summary, please visit www.nsr.com or call NSR at +1-617-674-7743.