Interstellar Secures 3.1
Billion Yen in Series E Funding
Backed by SBI GROUP, NTT DOCOMO,
Resona Bank, Paving the Way for Japan's First Integrated
Rocket and Satellite Startup
Interstellar Technologies
Inc.has successfully raised 3.1 billion yen in its
Series E round via third-party share allocation to new
investors such as SBI GROUP and NTT DOCOMO, INC.,
alongside financing from Resona Bank,Ltd.
Interstellar is pursuing Japan’s
first vertical integration of the rocket and satellite
businesses. In September 2023, the development of the
orbital class launch vehicle ZERO was selected for the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology’s “SBIR Phase 3” (Small Business Innovation
Research). Upon successful completion of two stage-gate
evaluations, up to 14 billion yen will be granted by
fiscal year 2027, supporting steady progress towards the
inaugural launch.
Interstellar's proposed 'Satellite
Communication 3.0' enables direct connections with
ground terminals such as smartphones, promising
high-speed, high-capacity communication comparable to
terrestrial networks. With this concept, the satellite
department focuses on areas where the strengths of
owning a rocket company can be maximized, aiming to
enter the satellite communication market led by ventures
such as SpaceX's 'Starlink'. Joint research with the
National Institute of Information and Communications
Technology (NICT) commenced in September 2023 (*3), with
NICT also participating as an investor in this round.
Additionally, in June 2024, the company was entrusted
with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications' "Expanding Wireless Communication
Spectrum Research Project" (*4).
As Japan’s first vertically
integrated rocket and satellite startup, Interstellar
will utilize this newly secured funding to accelerate
both its rocket and satellite operations.
Series E Round Investors
(unordered, titles omitted)
SBI GROUP,
NTT DOCOMO, INC.
The Seibu Shinkin Capital,Inc.THE SEIBU SHINKIN BANK,
NES Inc.,
North Pacific Bank, Ltd./Hokkaido
Research Institute for the Twenty-first Century Co.,Ltd.
National Institute of Information and Communications
Technology(NICT)
Resona Bank,Ltd.
Hiroyuki Ono, Deputy General
Manager, SBI Investment Co., Ltd., commented: Space
transportation is becoming increasingly important as
infrastructure supporting the industrial foundation of
the vast space market, with competition in the private
market intensifying globally. However, domestic
operators remain limited. Amid this, Interstellar
Technologies Inc. has been recognized as a leading
company in Japan with the potential to excel globally,
prompting our investment. The SBI Group will continue to
provide comprehensive support.
Takaaki Sato, Senior Executive Vice
President Representative Member of the Board of
Directors, NTT DOCOMO, INC., commented:
NTT DOCOMO, in addition to new technologies such as 6G
and IOWN, is taking on the challenge of realizing a
"Space Integrated Computing Network" using high-capacity
communication and computing infrastructure in space.
We believe that Interstellar
Technologies’ proposed "Satellite Communication 3.0" is
an important and innovative technology that will
contribute to the enhancement and efficiency of the
networks NTT DOCOMO is working on.
We support the growth of
Interstellar Technologies as it aims to develop
satellite communication services originating in Japan.
Takahiro Inagawa, Chief Executive
Officer, Interstellar Technologies Inc., commented:
The Japanese government has explicitly expressed its
support for private rockets due to the
growing importance of the space industry, and being
selected for this support program has
significantly accelerated our business. In this context,
we are advancing with a vision that aims to
positively impact life on Earth through the integration
of space transportation and satellite
communication technology. We deeply appreciate the
strong support from our backers who share
our vision and are committed to dedicating our efforts
to development and operations to meet
their expectations.
Interstellar Technologies Inc.
Interstellar is a dynamic Japanese
start-up with a vision of making space accessible to
everyone through low-cost and
convenient space transportation services. Headquartered
in Taiki, Hokkaido, Interstellar's product development
extends across five locations, including branches in
Tokyo, Fukushima, and Obihiro, as well as a laboratory
at the Muroran Institute of Technology.
Interstellar has achieved three
successful spaceflights with suborbital launch vehicle
MOMO, making it Japan's first private company to reach
space. Currently, Interstellar is developing the orbital
class launch vehicle ZERO. Additionally, Interstellar
leads Our Stars, a satellite development project,
pioneering Japan's vertically integrated
rocket-satellite service.
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