If you haven’t heard of the company SpaceX, then chances are you have been living on an isolated island for the past decade, and therefore don’t know anything about SpaceX stock as well. For those who are in the know, SpaceX is a rocket company created by Elon Musk that has revolutionized both space delivery as well as wireless internet beaming from our solar system.
As of this writing, SpaceX is a private company, so it’s impossible to buy stock on the retail market in SpaceX like you would in another stock like Google or Meta. That being said, there are ways to get involved in both SpaceX as well as the burgeoning private space industry. Let’s break it down below.
Who owns SpaceX stock?
Unlike some other more well-known Musk children (like Tesla or X), SpaceX is not publicly traded. It remains privately held, with Elon Musk holding a significant stake along with some others. As of early 2025, SpaceX has raised over $10 billion in funding and is valued at roughly $180 billion, making it one of the most valuable private companies on Earth, and possibly off it. But who are the other major stakeholders in SpaceX other than the famous Musk?
Major stakeholders in SpaceX
The current SpaceX stockholders, based on publicly available information, are delineated below.
| Shareholder | Estimated Stake | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elon Musk | ~42–44% | CEO and founder; retains voting control |
| Fidelity Investments | Undisclosed | Early institutional backer |
| Founders Fund | Undisclosed | Peter Thiel’s VC firm; long-time investor |
| Google (Alphabet Inc.) | Less than 10% | Invested in 2015; owns equity via GV |
| Employees and insiders | ~10–15% | Through equity compensation and stock grants |
Will SpaceX go public?
As of the time of this writing, SpaceX has no immediate plans to go public. Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that the company’s long-term goals, particularly its mission to take human beings to Mars, don’t align with the short-term demands of public markets. He has expressed concerns that pressure from quarterly earnings and shareholder expectations could compromise SpaceX’s strategic focus.
That being said, there is a possibility that SpaceX may spin off and take its Starlink satellite internet division public. Musk has suggested that Starlink could pursue an IPO once the business achieves more predictable cash flow, making it a potential entry point for public investors interested in SpaceX’s broader ecosystem.
Why Starlink could go public
Unlike the broader space exploration business, Starlink is a commercial product with a fast-growing subscriber base, strong revenue potential, and a business model more suitable for public markets. Musk has openly suggested that once Starlink reaches “predictable cash flow,” it could be spun off as a standalone public entity.
This would offer a few strategic benefits:
- It provides SpaceX with liquidity without giving up control of the core space business.
- It allows retail and institutional investors to get a piece of the company’s growth engine.
- It sets a valuation benchmark for future offerings tied to SpaceX.
If this path unfolds, Starlink could serve as a testbed IPO, a financial satellite launch before the mother ship goes public.
Potential SpaceX stock IPO timeline
Again, no formal plans have been announced for SpaceX to go public. That being said, there is plenty of speculation abounding for when SpaceX or its subsidiaries could go public and what that would look like. The table below summarizes key possibilities, projected timelines, and their relative likelihood.
| Event | Year Range | Central Year | Probability (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink spin-off IPO | 2026–2027 | 2026.5 | 75–85% | High probability if cash flow and market conditions align |
| SpaceX IPO | 2027–2030 | 2028.5 | 40–60% | Moderate probability, tied to long-term mission clarity |
| Direct listing (SpaceX) | 2030+ | 2031 | 10–20% | Low probability; less likely unless market shifts dramatically |
What needs to happen for Starlink to go public?
Before either Starlink or SpaceX lists publicly, several critical milestones need to be reached:
Revenue must stabilize first
For Starlink to go public, its revenue stream has to prove it can keep growing without wild swings. In 2024, it pulled in over $4.5 billion, a promising sign, but IPO investors need more than one strong year—they want consistency. Think of it like a subscription business; if users stick around and pay month after month, Wall Street starts to listen.
The infrastructure has to scale
Launching satellites is one thing, servicing millions of users reliably is another. Starlink will need to show it can manufacture and ship terminals, maintain satellites, and expand global coverage without hitting bottlenecks. It’s a bit like building out cell towers for a new mobile network; if the coverage isn’t there, the IPO won’t be either.
Government rules need to be clear
Before Starlink can go public, it needs to check all the boxes on licensing, cybersecurity, and cross-border compliance. That’s especially true given how many countries are involved and how many of Starlink’s contracts are tied to defense. Investors don’t want regulatory surprises, and clear government rules are a huge asset.
Starlink needs to show it’s ready for public scrutiny
An IPO means opening the books and answering to shareholders, and that requires formal governance—independent board members, audit controls, and clear financial reporting. Elon Musk may run a tight ship, but public investors will expect more structure.
Investor sentiment and IPO demand. Make no mistake: the market is ready.
A SpaceX or Starlink IPO would likely draw unprecedented demand, even in a tightening capital environment. Retail investors idolize Musk. Institutions want growth. Space has gone from niche to necessity, especially with defense spending, broadband expansion, and commercial payload services all rising globally. In short, when either entity does go public, it won’t be a quiet listing. It will be a financial spectacle, possibly rivaling the Tesla IPO in narrative power,if not in return potential.
How to buy SpaceX stock before the IPO
SpaceX hasn’t IPO,d but that doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines before that happens. There are a few ways you can get involved in the SpaceX IPO, as broken down below.
Buy SpaceX stock on secondary markets via private holders
While SpaceX shares aren’t traded on public markets, they do occasionally appear on secondary private equity platforms. These platforms facilitate transactions between current or former employees (who were granted equity) and interested third-party investors.
However, buying shares this way comes with significant caveats:
- Accredited investor status is required. The SEC mandates that participants in most private placements meet minimum income or net worth thresholds.
- High minimum investments. Most secondary transactions require at least $100,000, and often more.
- Limited availability. SpaceX has tight transfer restrictions, and many shareholders are prohibited from selling until a formal liquidity event occurs.
- Lack of price transparency. Valuations can vary wildly depending on demand, recent fundraising rounds, and market sentiment.
Pro Tip
Popular platforms for pre-IPO investing include:
- Forge Global
- EquityZen
- CartaX
- Linqto.
These platforms are primarily designed for institutional investors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, though some offer pooled access vehicles or fund structures to broaden participation.
If you’re exploring these routes, pay close attention to the share class offered, lock-up restrictions, and any trailing obligations post-sale. You’re not just buying a ticker—you’re stepping into a legally complex private market.
Indirect exposure through public companies
For retail investors who don’t meet accredited investor requirements, or who want simpler exposure, there’s another route: investing in public companies or funds that have already bought into SpaceX.
These investments won’t give you pure-play exposure, but they may reflect some of SpaceX’s upside as part of a diversified portfolio.
| Public Company | Ticker | SpaceX Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabet Inc. | GOOGL | Invested $900M in 2015 |
| Bank of America | BAC | Reported small holdings via venture funds |
| Fidelity mutual funds | Various | Own SpaceX equity via private investment arms |
Things to keep in mind:
- These companies are not primarily valued based on SpaceX holdings.
- You’re investing in a much broader portfolio of assets.
- SpaceX-related upside may take years to materially impact their share prices.
Still, if you’re long on SpaceX and short on direct access, these proxies can offer some strategic exposure within a traditional brokerage account.
Benefits and Risks of Pre-IPO Investing
Here are some benefits and risks to consider before investing in SpaceX shares ahead of a public listing:
BENEFITS
- Potential for significant appreciation once the company goes public.
- Access to growth-stage performance before wider market pricing.
- Prestige and optionality in being part of a future-defining firm.
RISKS
- Low liquidity (you may be stuck with the shares for years).
- High entry barriers (financial and legal).
- No guaranteed exit strategy (IPO timelines are speculative).
- Information asymmetry (limited data, no earnings reports, no real-time metrics).
What would a SpaceX IPO mean for investors?
With its high-profile missions, charismatic, although sometimes controversial, founder, and visionary mission, SpaceX has cultivated a cultural status that goes above and beyond traditional aerospace. If and when the company decides to go public, it would likely rival the biggest IPOs of the past two decades in media coverage, investor interest, and speculative momentum. Think Tesla in 2010—or maybe bigger.
Tesla’s 2010 IPO launched at $17 per share and was initially met with skepticism. Today, post multiple stock splits and exponential growth, it trades above $200 and commands a cult-like investor following. SpaceX could follow a similar—but—likely more volatile trajectory.
But what would a SpaceX IPO and SpaceX stock actually mean for the average investor?
| Potential Benefits | Risks to Watch |
|---|---|
| Access to one of the world’s most influential private companies, SpaceX has disrupted launch economics, satellite communications, and reshaped NASA’s outsourcing model. An IPO would make this innovation engine available to shareholders. | Valuation may be inflated due to FOMO: As with many hyped IPOs, early excitement can lead to unsustainable pricing. Investors could be buying in at a premium, with limited short-term upside. |
| High-growth potential in space infrastructure and satellite internet: From launch services to Starlink and Starship, SpaceX touches nearly every corner of the commercial space industry. | Lack of profitability in some segments: While Starlink is gaining traction, other divisions, like interplanetary transport, are still far from revenue-generating. |
| Massive retail investor enthusiasm: A SpaceX IPO would likely be oversubscribed, with heavy retail participation driven by Musk’s popularity and media attention. | Regulatory complexity and geopolitical risk: SpaceX’s work with the U.S. government introduces layers of policy, national security, and international risk exposure. |
| Strategic foothold in the “space economy”: As governments and commercial players expand investment in space, SpaceX offers rare early exposure to this growing economic frontier. | Dependence on Elon Musk: Musk’s influence is both a strength and a risk, given his simultaneous leadership roles, polarizing public image, and history with regulators. |
The Starlink wildcard
Starlink could be a preview of what’s to come as many are talking about it being spun off from SpaceX and made public. With over 5,000 satellites already in orbit and a growing user base across 70+ countries, the satellite internet division is showing real revenue traction. In fact, Starlink reportedly surpassed $4.5 billion in revenue in 2024 and is on track to be cash flow positive in 2025.
If Starlink IPOs before SpaceX, it could:
- Provide a pure-play space internet investment
- Offer a valuation benchmark for the broader SpaceX business
- Serve as a precursor to a more modular, multi-entity public offering
Bottom line: Investing in SpaceX stock before liftoff
SpaceX is a behemoth of a company, and as humanity expands to the outer belts of the solar system, it will probably become even more important. People also need to think of the mining potential of rare minerals outside of Earth; perhaps SpaceX will eventually spin off a mining company as well! As it stands now, to get involved in SpaceX you need to obtain SpaceX stock on the secondary market, invest in similar publicly traded companies to gain exposure, or hope that Starlink spins off into its own IPO soon. SpaceX is here to stay, and here to grow, so keep your eye on the ball, and maybe some opportunities might present themselves down the line, to get involved in this one of a kind company.
FAQ
Can I invest in Starlink separately from SpaceX?
At this time, Starlink is still a wholly owned division of SpaceX and is not independently listed. However, there is growing speculation that Starlink could go public as a standalone company in the next few years, especially if it reaches sustainable profitability. Until that happens, direct investment in Starlink is only possible through private secondary markets or via indirect exposure through companies with SpaceX holdings.
What happens to SpaceX employees’ shares before an IPO?
SpaceX employees who receive equity as part of their compensation generally face restrictions on selling those shares until a liquidity event, such as an IPO or company-approved secondary offering. Occasionally, SpaceX facilitates internal tender offers, allowing employees to sell a portion of their shares to accredited investors. These opportunities are tightly controlled and typically require approval from the company.
