HyImpulse Raises €45 Million to Accelerate Hybrid Rocket Development and European Launch Capabilities
German space launch startup HyImpulse Technologies GmbH has secured significant new funding to advance the development of its hybrid rocket technology and strengthen Europe’s independent access to space. The company raised €45 million in fresh financing, consisting of €15 million in Series A equity funding and an additional €30 million in further financing, bringing its total funding since founding to approximately €74 million.
The Series A round was led by Campus Founders Ventures, a Germany-based venture capital firm focused on deep-tech and high-growth technology companies. The round also attracted participation from a group of public and private investors, including Helantic, GIMIC, Global Resilience Innovation Fund (GRIF), Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (MBG) Baden-Württemberg, Start-up BW Innovation Fonds, Sparkassen-Beteiligungsgesellschaft Heilbronn-Franken (SBG), Vienna Point and BTRON.
Founded in 2018, HyImpulse is developing launch vehicles based on hybrid rocket propulsion, a technology that combines liquid oxygen with a paraffin-based solid fuel. The company positions this approach as a simpler and potentially more cost-efficient alternative to conventional liquid rocket engines, with fewer components and a design intended to enhance reliability and scalability. HyImpulse aims to serve the growing market for small satellite launches, which continues to expand as demand rises for Earth observation, telecommunications and scientific missions.
The newly secured capital will be used primarily to accelerate the development of HyImpulse’s launch systems and expand industrial capabilities. A key focus is the company’s SL1 orbital launch vehicle, a three-stage rocket designed to carry payloads of up to 600 kilograms into low Earth orbit. SL1 is intended to offer flexible launch options for small satellite operators seeking dedicated or rideshare missions.
In parallel, HyImpulse continues to advance its SR75 suborbital rocket, which serves as a technology demonstrator and commercial platform. The SR75 achieved a major milestone in 2024 with a successful test flight, validating the performance of the company’s hybrid propulsion system under real flight conditions. The company plans to use SR75 for future commercial suborbital missions, as well as for further testing and qualification of propulsion technologies.
HyImpulse’s leadership has stated that the latest funding round will enable the company to accelerate commercialization and maintain momentum toward its upcoming launch milestones. The financing will support hiring across engineering and production teams, expansion of manufacturing infrastructure, and scaling of engine and vehicle production. According to the company, this growth is essential to meeting projected timelines for initial commercial flights.
The involvement of Campus Founders Ventures reflects long-term investor confidence in HyImpulse’s technology and strategy. The venture capital firm has supported the company for several years and has emphasized the importance of transforming advanced research into market-ready products, particularly in strategically important sectors such as space and aerospace. Other investors in the round bring a mix of venture capital, institutional backing and regional development support, underlining the company’s role within Germany’s and Europe’s broader innovation ecosystem.
Public-sector participation through entities such as MBG Baden-Württemberg and the Start-up BW Innovation Fonds highlights the regional significance of HyImpulse’s activities. These organizations focus on strengthening technology-driven small and medium-sized enterprises and supporting industrial growth within Baden-Württemberg, where HyImpulse is headquartered.
Looking ahead, HyImpulse plans to conduct its first commercial SR75 missions as early as 2026, with initial orbital flights of the SL1 rocket targeted for 2027. If successful, the company would join a small group of European launch providers capable of offering independent access to space for small satellite customers.
The latest funding round positions HyImpulse as one of Europe’s more prominently capitalized space technology startups. As competition intensifies in the global small launch market, the company’s hybrid propulsion approach and growing investor backing underscore continued interest in alternative launch technologies designed to meet evolving satellite deployment needs.
