Startup PlaysOut said to eye funds at $150 million valuation

Startup PlaysOut said to eye funds at $150 million valuation

July 02, 2025 - Startup PlaysOut, a German rocket manufacturer, has reportedly secured fresh funding of $150 million, according to sources close to the company. The investment comes at a valuation of $150 million, marking a significant milestone for the fledgling space technology firm. The funding round was led by Volkswagen's major shareholder Porsche and other unidentified investors.

Isar Aerospace, as the company is known, has been making waves in the European space industry. The company has recently secured two contracts from the European Space Agency (ESA) to launch satellites into orbit. This is the first time a private European space company has secured such agreements, highlighting the growing confidence in private sector space capabilities [1].

The "Spectrum" rocket, designed and developed by Isar Aerospace, successfully completed its maiden test flight in the spring. The two-stage rocket is categorized as a microlauncher and is capable of carrying small and medium-sized satellites with a payload of up to one tonne into space. The company has been competing with billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, aiming to capture a significant share of the growing space market.

The $150 million funding round is a significant boost for the company, which is one of several German startups aiming to disrupt the space industry. The funding will be used to further develop the Spectrum rocket and expand the company's operations. Isar Aerospace has already secured €150 million in fresh capital, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's potential [2].

The funding round also comes amidst a broader trend of increased venture capital investment in growth-stage companies. According to data from PitchBook, venture capitalists poured $162.8 billion into deals in the first half of 2025, with about 30% of that amount going towards late-stage fundings. The recovering market for initial public offerings has also improved exit opportunities and given investors confidence to sign big checks for promising startups.

References:

[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/german-space-startup-secures-contracts-from-esa-ce7c50dedb80f426

[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/framer-hits-2-billion-valuation-in-latest-funding-round/articleshow/123567352.cms