Los Angeles-based Apex, a satellite bus platform, has raised $200 million in Series C funding to accelerate spacecraft production for global defense initiatives, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) missions, and advanced missile defense technologies.

The startup is disrupting the space industry by offering productized and configurable satellite bus platforms at scale—an approach rarely seen in traditional aerospace. Rather than custom-built spacecraft, Apex provides off-the-shelf solutions that allow customers to redirect time, capital, and talent toward critical payload innovation and mission design.

The company’s advanced bus systems support many space operations, including LEO and GEO, missile defense, communications, and remote sensing.

“Apex’s approach to building spacecraft is key to America realizing its commercial and national security strategies in space. This successful raise accelerates our production, allowing Apex to expand its inventory ahead of demand to better enable the missions of our innovative customers, including defense primes, the US government, and some of the most exciting companies in the country,” said Apex CEO and Founder Ian Cinnamon.

Strategic Investment Fuels Scalable Spacecraft Production

The Series C funding round was led by Point72 Ventures and co-led by 8VC, with participation from existing backers Andreessen Horowitz and new entrants Washington Harbour Partners and StepStone Group. This financing allows Apex to scale up its spacecraft production line at its 50,000-square-foot facility, Factory One, in the heart of Los Angeles.

Factory One enables high-throughput manufacturing with an inventory-ready approach, ensuring faster mission launches and on-demand delivery for commercial and government clients.

“Apex is laser-focused on what we believe missions in space need most: rapid delivery, transparent pricing, and the highest possible quality,” said Chris Morales, Partner at Point72 Ventures.

“The demonstrated success of Apex’s satellite buses and the company’s innovative approach to manufacturing have helped them win the trust of customers ranging from the US Space Force to industry-leading primes,” added Chris.

Apex: A Key Player in US and Allied Defense Programs

With rising global tensions and evolving threats in the space domain, Apex has become a preferred manufacturer for rapid-response satellite delivery. Its satellite bus platforms power key initiatives such as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and Golden Dome.

Moreover, Apex plays a growing role in enhancing missile defense systems and space-based interceptors through configurable, reliable satellite buses that meet the stringent requirements of national security programs.

In just two years since its founding in 2022 by Ian Cinnamon and Max Benassi, Apex has achieved several industry-defining milestones. It built and deployed Aries SN1—the fastest clean-sheet design-to-orbit satellite bus in history—and celebrated its one-year successful operation in orbit.

The company also secured a $46 million US Space Force contract. It introduced Nova, a powerful satellite bus platform designed to carry payloads between 200 to 500 kg. Additionally, Apex recently revealed GEO Aries, a variant optimized for GEO missions, expanding its capability to serve broader orbital architectures.

Powering the Future of Space Infrastructure

By focusing on productized satellite bus platforms, Apex enables a new paradigm in spacecraft production—one driven by speed, flexibility, and reliability. The company’s agile approach supports the fast-growing needs of the global space economy, making it a crucial player in defense modernization and commercial innovation.

As demand rises for constellation deployments, advanced ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), and space-based warfare platforms, Apex is prepared to deliver—on time, at scale, and with unmatched precision.

“Apex’s satellite buses deliver the on-orbit proliferation required for America to prevail in the new space race. This Administration recognizes where our defense capabilities demand drastic evolution. Apex’s pace of innovation and manufacturing speed and scale exemplify the bold approach needed to secure the edge for our forces,” said Joe Lonsdale, Founder and Managing Partner at 8VC.

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