Hybrid rocket pioneer HyImpulse Technologies has raised €45 million to accelerate the commercialization of its SL1 orbital rocket following the successful 2024 launch of its SR75 suborbital vehicle.
The new funding combines €15 million in Series A equity with an additional €30 million in structured financing, marking one of Europe’s largest SpaceTech rounds of 2025.
The round was led by Campus Founders Ventures, with participation from Helantic, GIMIC, the Global Resilience Innovation Fund (GRIF), MBG Baden-Württemberg, SBG Heilbronn-Franken, Vienna Point, and BRTON.
Strengthening Europe’s Independent Access to Space
“Europe does not have its own reliable access to space,” said Dr. Christian Schmierer, Co-founder and CEO of HyImpulse.
“With this capital injection, we’ll accelerate the commercialization of our orbital rocket, giving Europe a more independent and competitive presence in space. While SpaceX offers a scheduled ‘bus service,’ HyImpulse delivers a flexible ‘taxi’ service—allowing customers to plan individual launch windows and destinations.”
Founded in 2018, HyImpulse Technologies develops commercial rockets powered by hybrid propulsion systems that use liquid oxygen and paraffin-based fuel. This approach cuts component complexity by around 50%, lowering costs while increasing safety and reliability—ideal for flexible, small-payload launches to low Earth orbit (LEO).
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A Record-Breaking SpaceTech Milestone
HyImpulse’s financing joins the ranks of Europe’s largest space-related investments in 2025, outpacing several other notable propulsion and satellite infrastructure rounds:
- Magdrive (UK) – €9.9M for spacecraft propulsion
- Kreios Space (Spain) – €8M for air-breathing plasma engines
- Orbital Paradigm (Spain) – €1.5M for reusable re-entry capsules
- UNIVITY (France) – €31M for satellite connectivity
- Look Up (France) – €50M for orbital radar systems
This surge in investment reflects growing European focus on launch autonomy, propulsion innovation, and space traffic management — areas where HyImpulse is positioning itself as a frontrunner.
From Suborbital Success to Orbital Ambition
In 2024, HyImpulse successfully conducted the SR75’s maiden suborbital flight, marking the first commercial paraffin-based hybrid rocket engine to reach the upper atmosphere. The rocket’s first customer launch is planned for 2026.
Building on this milestone, HyImpulse is developing its three-stage SL1 orbital launcher, capable of delivering up to 600 kg to low Earth orbit by 2027.
“HyImpulse has already made space history,” said Oliver Hanisch, CEO of Campus Founders Ventures.
“It’s the first privately financed German space company to successfully complete a suborbital test flight using hybrid propulsion. The team is transforming cutting-edge DeepTech research into a scalable commercial product — a model for how Europe can compete globally in aerospace.”
Expanding Capacity and Global Reach
The company currently employs over 65 staff across Neuenstadt, Ottobrunn, and Glasgow, and has secured triple-digit million–euro preorders from clients worldwide. The new funding will accelerate SL1 development, expand manufacturing, and prepare international launch sites across multiple continents.
Prof. Dr. Rudolf F. Schwarz, Managing Director of IABG and HyImpulse investor, noted:
“HyImpulse continues to lead innovation in cost-efficient propulsion, reinforcing Germany and Europe’s competitiveness in the global space industry.”
A Growing Market Opportunity
According to McKinsey, the global satellite-based technology market is projected to reach €1.25 trillion by 2040. Yet, European companies accounted for less than 1% of global launches in 2024, according to the Space Economy Report 2024. HyImpulse aims to change that by offering a sustainable, low-cost path to orbit for small satellites.
“We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Campus Founders Ventures and our investors,” Dr. Schmierer added. “Their commitment reflects the strategic importance of hybrid propulsion for European space sovereignty.”
About HyImpulse Technologies
HyImpulse Technologies GmbH develops small satellite launchers powered by innovative hybrid propulsion systems that combine liquid oxygen and paraffin-based fuel. Founded in 2018, the company is committed to enabling low-cost, sustainable, and flexible access to space. Its SR75 suborbital rocket achieved a successful maiden flight in 2024, paving the way for the SL1 orbital rocket, which will deliver commercial payloads to LEO starting in 2027.
