Varda
Headquarter: El Segundo, California
Year Founded: 2021
Employees: ~150 | 2025
Business Status: Expansion
Industry Sectors: Space Manufacturing, Aerospace, Hypersonic Reentry Technology
What is Varda?
Varda Space Industries is a U.S. space manufacturing company based in El Segundo, California. Founded in 2021 by former SpaceX engineer Will Bruey and Founders Fund principal Delian Asparouhov, the company’s mission is to expand the economic reach of humankind by making space a place for large-scale industry. Backed by over $147 million from investors including Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, and Lux Capital, Varda focuses on producing high-value products, initially pharmaceuticals, in microgravity and returning them to Earth. With successful test missions and a growing launch schedule, Varda is positioned as one of the most commercially driven players in the emerging orbital manufacturing sector.
Why do we like it?
Varda is tackling a clear and real market need, not just a far-off dream. It’s starting with pharmaceuticals, a field where making products in microgravity has proven benefits and buyers are ready. The founders bring strong experience from SpaceX and top investors, and the company has already shown it can launch a spacecraft, make products in orbit, and bring them back safely. In an industry where many talk about the future, Varda is already getting real results.
What does Varda do?
Varda builds and operates fully automated spacecraft designed for manufacturing in orbit without the need for human crews. Each vehicle carries a microgravity production module and a reentry capsule capable of safely delivering finished goods back to Earth. The company works with Rocket Lab and SpaceX to launch these platforms, targeting markets such as advanced pharmaceuticals, high-performance fiber optics, and next-generation semiconductors, products that benefit from the unique environment of space. Its first mission in June 2023 demonstrated in-orbit pharmaceutical processing, with the “Winnebago-1” capsule successfully returning to U.S. soil in February 2024 after receiving FAA reentry approval.
How to Invest in Varda
The public cannot invest in Varda directly, accredited investors—those who meet specific financial criteria—may access shares through secondary markets or specialized investment platforms. These avenues typically require verification of investor status and may involve higher risk and limited liquidity compared to public equities.
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Roadmap
Varda plans to ramp up to multiple launches per year, expand production beyond pharmaceuticals into fiber optics and semiconductor materials, and grow its government work in hypersonic reentry testing. Longer term, the company aims to operate continuous orbital manufacturing platforms and open new markets for large-scale industry in space.
Courtesy of Caplight
Most Recent Financing Status
In July 2025, Varda Space Industries closed a $187 million Series C round led by Natural Capital and Shrug Capital, bringing total funding to $329 million. Other backers include Founders Fund, Peter Thiel, Khosla Ventures, Caffeinated Capital, Lux Capital, and Also Capital. The funding will expand orbital pharmaceutical manufacturing, build a new 10,000 sq ft lab in El Segundo for advanced drug crystallization, and increase launch frequency. As of July 2025, Varda has completed three successful launch-and-return missions, with a fourth in orbit and a fifth scheduled for later this year. This raise underscores investor confidence in Varda’s lead in space-based drug production and hypersonic reentry technology.
Latest updates from Varda and AMERICA 2030
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