Space One

Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan Aerospace Private

Space One is a Japanese aerospace manufacturer, orbital launch service provider, and spaceport operator founded in July 2018 by Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, Shimizu Corporation, and the Development Bank of Japan. The company develops and operates the KAIROS solid-fueled small-satellite launch vehicle and operates Spaceport Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan's first private-sector commercial spaceport. KAIROS is a roughly 18-meter, ~23-tonne three-stage solid-fuel rocket with a liquid-fueled upper stage, designed to deliver up to ~250 kg to low Earth orbit and ~150 kg to sun-synchronous orbit. Space One aims to provide the 'world's shortest time' from contract to launch and the 'world's highest frequency' of launches, targeting 20 launches per year by the end of the 2020s and 30 per year in the 2030s. The company is also developing an Enhanced KAIROS upper stage with a methane engine under an 8.5 billion yen Japan Ministry of Defense contract. KAIROS has attempted three orbital launches as of March 2026; all three (March 2024, December 2024, March 2026) ended in failure.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2018

Funding

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Strategic partnership

Date

December 2022

Amount

Not disclosed

Valuation

Lead Investors

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
December 2022 Strategic partnership Not disclosed Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
July 2018 Founding equity / strategic investment Not disclosed Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace

Leadership

  • Masakazu Toyoda

    President and CEO

  • Kozo Abe

    Executive Officer

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Rocket Lab

    US/New Zealand small-satellite launch provider operating the Electron rocket; the most established Western competitor in the dedicated small-launch market.

  • Interstellar Technologies

    Japanese private launch company developing the ZERO small-satellite orbital rocket; conducted Japan's first private suborbital launch with the MOMO series.

  • Astra Space

    US small-satellite launch provider developing Rocket 4 after retiring Rocket 3; targets the same dedicated small-payload market segment.

  • Firefly Aerospace

    US small-medium launch provider operating the Alpha rocket, a kerolox vehicle competing in the sub-tonne to ~1-tonne LEO class.

  • iSpace (Beijing Interstellar Glory)

    Chinese private launch company operating the Hyperbola solid-fuel small-satellite rocket family.

  • IHI Aerospace (Epsilon)

    Japanese solid-fuel small launcher (Epsilon) operated for JAXA; IHI Aerospace is simultaneously a Space One shareholder, but the Epsilon program competes for Japanese small-satellite payloads.

Space One Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Space One is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Space One shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Space One will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Space One shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Space One shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

Valuation and funding

Space One's latest disclosed funding round was a Strategic partnership round in December 2022. The round raised approximately Not disclosed, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Space One's disclosed investors include Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Canon Electronics and IHI Aerospace. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Space One's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Space One's most-cited competitors include Rocket Lab, Interstellar Technologies, Astra Space, Firefly Aerospace, iSpace (Beijing Interstellar Glory) and IHI Aerospace (Epsilon). Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Space One shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Space One employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Space One secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Space One through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Space One or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Space One shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Space One shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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