Arkadia Space, a Castellón-based SpaceTech startup focused on green propulsion systems for satellites and space vehicles, has been selected by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, securing €14.5 million in funding.
The total funding comprises a €2.5 million grant, €6 million in equity from the EIC Fund, and €6 million in private investment. According to Arkadia, this makes it the first Spanish space company to receive support through this instrument. The Spanish startup states that only 61 startups out of 923 applications from across Europe were selected.
“EIC support comes at a critical moment for Arkadia. Over the past year, we have demonstrated that our technology meets market requirements and offers a true performance alternative to highly toxic fuels. This recognition confirms that we are on the right path and gives us a tremendous boost to commercialise the technology as early as next year,” said Francho García, co-founder and CEO of Arkadia Space.
Arkadia Space was founded in 2020 by Francho García, Francisco Espinosa, Ismael Gutiérrez, and Sergio Soler, who had previously worked together at PLD Space. It is developing a new hypergolic bipropellant technology based on high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and a proprietary green fuel.
It notes that its system is designed to replace hydrazine and its derivatives (MON/MMH), highly toxic fuels increasingly restricted by European regulations.
The company explained that the hypergolic characteristic (exclusive to bipropellant engines) enables instantaneous ignition when both propellants come into contact, eliminating complex ignition systems, increasing reliability, and enabling precise manoeuvres such as spacecraft docking or lunar landings. This technology reduces operational and refuelling costs by over 60% compared to traditional systems, as well as improves operational safety and sustainability.
Arkadia claims that it is currently the only company in the world with such advanced hypergolic propulsion systems based on hydrogen peroxide, and with support from the EIC, is poised to become the first to commercialise this technology.
“Beyond financial support, this project has strategic significance: it represents Europe’s commitment to green propulsion technologies, a key element in the supply chain for satellites and spacecraft. Arkadia aims to consolidate a fully European supply chain, free from third-party dependencies or ITAR restrictions,” mentioned the company in the press release.
The EIC boost follows the in-orbit validation of DARK, Arkadia’s green propulsion system launched in March 2025 aboard an Italian D-Orbit satellite during a SpaceX mission. This flight marked the first time in Europe that a hydrogen-peroxide-based propulsion system reached space.
The company is also expanding its test centre at Castellón Airport, establishing one of Europe’s most advanced private propulsion testing facilities, and significantly reducing development timelines.
It has also secured several commercial contracts that will be announced in the coming months. Last year, it secured its first commercial contract with MaiaSpace, a leading European launcher company.
In 2023, Arkadia announced the close of its €2.8 million oversubscribed Seed funding round led by Draper B1, a VC based in Valencia and part of the Draper Venture Network.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/03/arkadia-space-lands-e14-5-million-eic-boost-for-its-green-propulsion-systems-designed-to-replace-toxic-space-fuels/
