Spaced Ventures is a technology company.
Spaced Ventures has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Spaced Ventures has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Spaced Ventures was an equity crowdfunding platform launched in 2020 to democratize investments in early-stage space startups, enabling both companies and retail investors of all sizes to participate by allowing equity stakes as low as $100.[1][2][3][5] It focused on the burgeoning space sector, providing capital to space companies while navigating U.S. regulatory hurdles that restricted non-accredited investors, and achieved early traction with over 300 space startups engaging and trust from figures like Dylan Taylor.[1][3] In 2023–2024, amid regulatory complexities and a tough funding environment, it pivoted and rebranded to Mach33 Financial Group, shifting to accredited investors only, with over $14 million in assets under management (AUM) and deep analyses of leaders like SpaceX and Relativity Space.[2][7]
As an investment firm, its original mission was to make space investing accessible beyond traditional VCs, with a philosophy centered on small-check equity crowdfunding to build a broad community around high-risk, high-reward space tech.[3][5] Key sectors included space technology, services, and startups enabling commercial space activity, such as propulsion and supply chain tech.[1][3][6] It influenced the startup ecosystem by attracting public interest, facilitating first exits like Sidus Space's acquisition of Exo-Space, and partnering with entities like the City of Brownsville for SpaceX-related growth.[1][3]
Spaced Ventures was founded in 2020 in Satellite Beach, Florida, by Aaron Burnett (a space enthusiast) and J. Brant Arseneau (a 30-year Wall Street veteran with fintech experience).[1][2][3] The idea emerged from Burnett's passion for space and Arseneau's expertise; they bootstrapped initially by investing personal cash for domains, a website, and outreach, aiming to bypass limitations of platforms like Kickstarter by offering true equity in space companies via a portal that invested on behalf of retail users.[2][3][5]
Early traction included FINRA approval, conversations with 300+ space startups (many approaching them), endorsements from prominent investors like Dylan Taylor and Ryan Kriser, and collaborations like building Brownsville's space ecosystem around SpaceX.[3] Pivotal moments were regulatory pushback limiting non-accredited access and the 2023 strategic pivot to Mach33 Financial Group, described by Burnett as "bittersweet," to focus on high-end opportunities in a tightening market.[2][7]
Spaced Ventures rode the new space race trend—commercialization of space via private firms like SpaceX and Relativity—making investments accessible amid explosive growth in launches, satellites, and orbital services.[1][2][3] Timing was ideal post-2020, as space tech funding surged but remained VC-dominated; it countered this by crowdsourcing public capital, influencing the ecosystem through first exits (e.g., Exo-Space) and ecosystem-building in hubs like Brownsville.[1][3]
Market forces favoring it included rising retail investor interest in space (fueled by SpaceX hype) and regulatory evolution in crowdfunding, though complexities forced the pivot amid AI-driven funding shifts.[2][7] It broadened participation, connected 300+ startups to capital, and highlighted space's dual Earth-space profit potential (e.g., propulsion tech), accelerating industry democratization despite scaling challenges.[1][3]
Mach33 Financial Group will likely expand AUM through accredited channels, delivering premium space analyses and deals in leaders like SpaceX amid maturing markets.[2][7] Trends shaping it include regulatory reforms potentially reopening retail access, sustained space economy growth (e.g., Starlink, lunar missions), and AI integration in space ops.[1][2] Its influence may evolve from broad crowdfunding pioneer to niche high-end space VC, retaining ecosystem impact via advocacy and networks—echoing its founding vision of space for all, now refined for viability.[3][7]
Spaced Ventures has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Spaced Ventures's investors include B Capital Group, Commerce Ventures, FinTech Collective, Innovation Endeavors, March Capital, Oak HC/FT, Point72 Ventures, Reciprocal Ventures, WorldQuant Ventures, Derrick Li, Scott Belsky.
Spaced Ventures has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in October 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | $1.0M Seed | B Capital Group, Commerce Ventures, FinTech Collective, Innovation Endeavors, March Capital, Oak HC/FT, Point72 Ventures, Reciprocal Ventures, WorldQuant Ventures, Derrick Li, Scott Belsky |