HyImpulse Technologies, a Neuenstadt am Kocher-based provider of hybrid propulsion systems for satellite transport, has raised €15 million in equity capital as part of its Series A funding round and secured an additional €30 million in financing in one of 2025’s largest SpaceTech rounds.
The round is led by Campus Founders Ventures. Other investors include Helantic, GIMIC, the Global Resilience Innovation Fund (GRIF), Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (MBG) Baden-Württemberg, Sparkassen-Beteiligungsgesellschaft (SBG) Heilbronn-Franken, Vienna Point and BRTON.
Dr Christian Schmierer, Co-founder and CEO of HyImpulse, said: “Europe does not have its own access to space. With this injection of capital we will accelerate the commercialisation of our orbital rocket, making Europe more independent and competitive. While providers such as SpaceX offer a scheduled bus service to space, our solutions allow us to develop a flexible taxi service so that our customers can choose individual launch solutions and flexibly plan their schedules.”
HyImpulse’s latest Series A equity round plus additional financing positions it among the largest European space-tech investments of 2025.
In comparison, UK-based Magdrive secured €9.9 million to advance propulsion for spacecraft, while Spain’s Kreios Space raised €8 million for its air-breathing plasma engine and Orbital Paradigm obtained €1.5 million to develop reusable re-entry capsules.
Meanwhile, French startups UNIVITY and Look Up attracted €31 million and €50 million respectively for satellite connectivity and orbital-radar monitoring.
In this context, HyImpulse’s round reflects sustained investor interest in European launch and propulsion capabilities, complementing broader funding trends in satellite infrastructure and space-traffic management. The deal also signals continued momentum for Germany’s emerging private space sector, where hybrid propulsion technologies are becoming a focal point for strategic investment.
Dr Schmierer adds: “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Campus Founders and our other partners. Their commitment underscores the importance of our technology for European sovereignty.“
Founded in 2018, HyImpulse Technologies is a manufacturer and system provider of commercial rockets for suborbital and orbital launch services. Its small satellite launch vehicles with unique hybrid rocket propulsion using oxygen and paraffin are innovating the commercial space sector. With over 65 employees at locations in Neuenstadt, Ottobrunn and Glasgow, HyImpulse develops rockets to transport commercial payloads efficiently, sustainably and reliably into low Earth orbit and beyond.
HyImpulse will use the new capital to drive forward the development and commercialisation of the SL1 orbital rocket and expand its production capacities. Since its foundation, the company has raised around €74 million in capital.
Oliver Hanisch, CEO of Campus Founders Ventures, said: “HyImpulse has already made space history. With extremely efficient use of resources, HyImpulse is the first privately financed German space company to develop a hybrid rocket and successfully complete a suborbital test flight. The company addresses a geopolitically crucial market. HyImpulse is a role model for how startups can successfully translate cutting-edge research and DeepTech into marketable products.
“We have been supporting the team for more than three years, and I am delighted that HyImpulse is successfully using the platform we offer for startups here in Heilbronn. With Campus Founders Ventures, we have already invested in over 20 exciting teams ourselves, but this investment is special. We are delighted to be working with HyImpulse to build a company that will set international standards.”
According to the company, Europe does not yet have independent access to space and is highly dependent on non-European providers.
As per the Space Economy Report 2024, European providers accounted for less than one percent of all global launches in 2024. HyImpulse is working to improve this area: The company’s hybrid technology reportedly reduces the number of components by around 50 percent, lowers costs and increases reliability – a decisive factor in establishing cost-efficient and flexible launch services in the sub-ton payload range.
The market is growing dynamically: according to a McKinsey report, the global business with satellite-based technologies is expected to reach a volume of around €1.25 trillion by 2040.
HyImpulse is positioning itself early in this environment, with orders already secured in the triple-digit million range and launch sites on several continents.
Prof Dr Rudolf F. Schwarz, Managing Director of IABG and Investor of HyImpulse said: “I am pleased to see HyImpulse continuing to make progress in developing innovative and cost-efficient propulsion technologies for launch vehicles, strengthening the space sector in Germany, across Europe, and beyond.”
Ahead of other SpaceTech startups, HyImpulse reached a milestone in 2024 with the successful test flight of the SR75 suborbital rocket which demonstrated the functionality of a commercial paraffin-based hybrid rocket engine for the first time.
The first commercial launch of the SR75 with customers will take place as early as 2026. Building on the tests with the SR75, HyImpulse is working on the three-stage SL1 orbital rocket, which is expected to transport up to 600 kilograms of payload into low Earth orbit starting 2027.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/10/building-on-successful-liftoff-in-2024-german-spacetech-hyimpulse-raises-e45-million-for-satellite-transport/
