Bezos' Blue Origin raises first outside funding at $130 billion valuation, NYT DealBook reports
Blue Origin's Historic Fundraising and Market Context
July 8 (Reuters) - Rocket maker Blue Origin is raising $10 billion at a pre-money valuation of $130 billion, the New York Times DealBook reported on Wednesday, marking the first effort by Jeff Bezos' company to secure outside funding.
Investor Appetite and Sector Trends
The potential fundraising comes as investor appetite for space companies has surged following SpaceX's initial public offering last month, which reignited interest in the sector and lifted expectations for valuations of privately held aerospace firms.
Key Investors and Funding Details
Coatue Management, a big asset manager, is expected to lead the round with a $4 billion commitment, the report said, adding that Bezos is set to contribute an additional $2 billion.
Blue Origin did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Comparisons with SpaceX
SpaceX debuted at a valuation of about $1.75 trillion after it raised about $86 billion in what became the largest IPO globally, following several rounds of fundraising to enable Elon Musk's AI and space ambitions.
Origins and Funding History
Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in September 2000, was established about 18 months before Musk founded SpaceX in 2002. It has largely been funded by the Amazon founder.
Government Contracts and Business Focus
The company has won multibillion-dollar contracts from NASA and the U.S. Space Force, including work on the Artemis lunar program and national security launch missions, although it still trails SpaceX in launch cadence and revenue by a large margin.
Revenue Streams: Blue Origin vs. SpaceX
Unlike SpaceX, whose Starlink satellite internet business has become a major revenue driver, Blue Origin's business remains centered on launch services, rocket engines and government space programs.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
However, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, similar in size to SpaceX's Starship, exploded during a ground test in May. The company expects to restart launches this year.
(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)