Paris-based space startup Dark has announced the closure of a $6 million seed extension round. The company has now raised over $11 million to fund the development of its Interceptor platform.
When Dark was founded in 2021, the company aimed to develop a multipurpose air-launched rocket. Over the last year, however, the company has refashioned itself, narrowing its focus to what it calls orbital defence but what is more commonly referred to as orbital debris mitigation. The company is currently working towards launching an orbital defence demonstration by 2026.
The $6 million seed extension round announced by the company on 16 April included contributions from Long Journey Ventures, Eurazeo, and Frst. Long Journey is the US venture capital firm of Arielle Zuckerberg, the younger sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The venture capital firm has an existing portfolio of space companies that includes the likes of SpaceX and US defence company Anduril.
“Anduril and SpaceX have reshaped entire industries through their bold ventures into uncharted territories,” said Zuckerberg. “Dark, committed to advancing space security, shares this pioneering spirit as category-creators in this exciting new industry. When we first met Dark’s founders and team, we immediately knew there was something magically weird about them.”
Eurazeo and Frst’s participation in Dark’s seed round extension reaffirms their continued commitment to the company following their initial involvement in the $5 million seed round in 2021.
“Two years ago, we took a leap with our investment, betting on two founders with a vision to secure space,” said Antoine Zins, Managing Director at Eurazeo. “Since then, Dark’s execution has surpassed our expectations, demonstrating their capacity to develop unique technologies and capabilities. They are on a path to build a global category-defining company that will solve an existential problem for the space industry.”
Dark intends to utilize the new funding to continue the development of key technology for its orbital defence platform, including advanced radar and orbital propulsion systems.
