Space technology plays a critical role in the competitiveness and development of multiple strategic sectors, including agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, telecommunications, defence, navigation, and climate monitoring. By enabling research in microgravity – the condition of near-weightlessness experienced in orbit – Space Cargo Unlimited allows industries such as biology, materials, electronics, and pharmaceuticals to study physical, chemical, and biological processes without the interference of Earth’s gravity. These unique conditions create opportunities for in-space research and advanced space manufacturing.
“Luxembourg has built a strong reputation as a pioneer in space thanks to its vision and strategic investments. Our support for Space Cargo Unlimited through the Luxembourg Future Fund is a further step to position Luxembourg as a leading hub for commercial space activities in general, and in orbit services in particular. By supporting pioneering companies like Space Cargo Unlimited, we are strengthening our space ecosystem and ensuring that Luxembourg remains at the forefront of innovation in space in Europe.,” said Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy & Tourism.
The investment reflects Luxembourg’s strategy of attracting and developing companies in the space sector, with the objective of diversifying the national economy and build a European knowledge hub in space technologies. “The Luxembourg Future Fund plays a central role in diversifying our economy by attracting innovative companies and supporting their growth. With new ideas and ambitious investments in innovation and growth, we are resolutely shaping our future. This investment will create new economic opportunities, highly skilled jobs, and further strengthen Luxembourg’s financial centre while reinforcing our role as a European innovation hub,” said Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance.
The EIF co-investment is made through the CASSINI investment facility, an EU initiative that provides risk capital to VC funds. The European Commission backs venture capital funds investing in European space startups through the CASSINI Investment Facility. By mid-2024, it had injected €10–60 million each into 16 funds (with 2 more planned), enabling over 60 space company investments and targeting over €2 billion in total investment capacity for 2022–2027.
“Europe’s strategic autonomy in space depends on fostering a strong, competitive commercial ecosystem. Companies like Space Cargo Unlimited are key to ensuring that Europe retains independent access to critical space-based research and manufacturing capabilities, in line with the Vision on the European Space Economy adopted by the Commission last June. This co-investment, made possible by the CASSINI Investment Facility, demonstrates how public and private capital can join forces to strengthen our space industrial base and support the next generation of European space champions.” — Catherine Kavvada, Director for Secure and Connected Space, European Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS).
“As we are seeing strong commercial traction for our offering and a clear sovereign need from European Union institutions for space research and manufacturing activities with the International Space Station being phased out by 2030. We are delighted to countLFF2 as investor. This strategic investment empowers us to speed up our space system development, grow our team to 30 people in Luxembourg with the recruitment of highly skilled engineers, and anchoring a sustainable orbital economy in Europe, fostered by strong partnership with Luxembourgish clients and partners, in fields ranging from pharmaceutical product to new materials engineering.” said Nicolas Gaume, CEO of Space Cargo Unlimited
Space Cargo Unlimited is preparing to deploy BentoBox, a customizable, return-capable platform* for in-space manufacturing and microgravity research. Its first two missions have been engaged in 2025 and will launch in the coming months, as part of a wider campaign of seven missions through 2028. Operated inside the Phoenix capsule with technology partner ATMOS and launched by SpaceX, BentoBox will provide Europe with reliable access to low-earth orbit with sample return.
From its Luxembourg headquarters, Space Cargo Unlimited manages all engineering and development of its BentoBox platform and all its commercial and space flight management activities.
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*Explanatory notes:
- In-orbit manufacturing: The production of goods in space, taking advantage of unique conditions such as microgravity.
- Return-capable platform: A spacecraft or experiment module designed to bring research samples safely back to Earth.
About Space Cargo Unlimited
Space Cargo Unlimited is a European space company headquartered in Luxembourg, focused on unlocking the potential of microgravity for industrial research and space manufacturing. Its solutions, including BentoBox and the upcoming REV1 orbital vehicle, enable experiments and production processes in areas such as life sciences, agriculture, materials, and pharmaceuticals. More information: www.space-cu.com
Space Cargo Unlimited press contact: Éanna Doyle, edoyle@space-cu.com, +353 85277 7749
About SNCI
Société Nationale de Crédit et d’investissement (SNCI) is a public banking institution that specialises in granting access to finance to Luxembourg-based commercial companies with a strong focus on SMEs. It co-finances businesses at every stage of their development having a positive impact on Luxembourg’s sustainable economic diversification. SNCI intervenes either directly or indirectly through loans to partially cover the financing of startup, expansion, transfer or innovation projects. SNCI also acquires and manages holdings in companies and investment funds that are strategically important for the development and diversification of Luxembourg’s economy. www.snci.com
SNCI press contact: communications@snci.lu , +352 46 19 71 1
About EIF
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments, which specifically target this market segment. In this role, EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment. For more information, please visit www.eif.org.
EIF press contact: Tim Smit, t.smit@eib.org, +352 691 28 64 23
About the CASSINI Investment Facility
The European Commission supports Venture Capital funds seeking to raise capital to invest in European startup space companies. CASSINI Investment Facility will generate a total investment capacity of more than €2 billion in the 2022-2027 period. Fund managers can apply to EIF to obtain more information about terms and conditions.
CASSINI investor network is a customized offering to fund managers. It offers a relevant deal flow of emerging European space ventures through our events and personal introductions. CASSINI can also offer assistance with technical due diligence on space technology, products, and markets.
European Commission press contact: Simon Seminari, simon.seminari@ec.europa.eu, +32 2 298 02 19