How to Invest in SpaceX: IPO Plans & Stock Options

In the wake of the Boeing Starliner fiasco, SpaceX looks like the winner of the 2020s space race.

On top of avoiding public humiliation, its financial performance has been quite impressive. With its lucrative government contracts, first-of-its-kind technology, and Starlink side hustle, the Elon Musk-founded rocket launcher is the only profitable player in the space. As of mid-2024, the business was valued at $210 billion, making it the most expensive private company in the world.

These factors have made SpaceX the envy of the retail investing market.

Here’s a look at all the ways you can invest in SpaceX.

Is SpaceX a Public Company?

Unfortunately, as of 2024, SpaceX is not a publicly listed company. Consequently, investors will not find its shares on the NASDAQ or NYSE.

Who Owns SpaceX?

The majority of SpaceX continues to be controlled by Elon Musk. An estimated 40% of the company’s outstanding shares are owned by the founder while venture capital firms and employees maintain the rest.

For this reason, the road to IPO (initial public offering) must go through Musk.

When Will SpaceX IPO?

While many investors eagerly await the chance to buy SpaceX stock, there is no guarantee the company will ever go public. Elon Musk has consistently shown a strong desire to maintain control over his ventures, and SpaceX appears to be no exception. This reluctance to relinquish control is evident in his management of both Tesla and Twitter (now X), where he has faced considerable challenges.

At Twitter, Musk has struggled with widespread backlash over controversial decisions, including changes in platform policies and leadership. Similarly, at Tesla, while the company remains a market leader in electric vehicles, Musk’s repeated sales of Tesla shares to fund other endeavors have raised concerns about his ability to juggle multiple responsibilities. Given these ongoing issues, it’s possible Musk may hesitate to launch an IPO for SpaceX.

Due to its profitability, SpaceX is self-sufficient and venture funds remain eager to invest, meaning there is no pressing need to acquire funds through a public offering.

Additionally, as SpaceX employees have been given ways to liquidate their shares through secondary markets or direct buybacks, an IPO is less critical for liquidity.

In short, despite the widespread anticipation, the chances of a SpaceX IPO in the near future remain slim.

That being said, there were rumors in late 2023, that Starlink would be spun off as a public entity. However, Musk denied the rumors and suggested he would wait until Starlink achieves more consistent growth.

How to Buy SpaceX Stock

While SpaceX remains a private company, there are still some ways investors can gain indirect exposure to its success. Though owning SpaceX shares directly is limited to accredited investors on secondary markets, some publicly traded funds hold stakes in SpaceX.

One of the most well-known ways to get indirect exposure to SpaceX is through ARK Invest’s ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX), managed by Cathie Wood. Approximately 12% of this fund consists of SpaceX shares, though it’s important to note that the rest of the portfolio is made up of various other companies, primarily in the tech and space sectors. Another fund offering indirect exposure is the Baron Focused Growth Fund (BFGIX), which has about 10% of its holdings tied to SpaceX.

However, investors should keep in mind that these funds are diversified, so purchasing them solely for SpaceX exposure might not be ideal. Always research the other companies in the portfolio before making an investment decision. For those set on owning a piece of SpaceX, these funds offer a way to get involved, even if the company never goes public.

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