SpaceX raises $75 billion in record IPO

On Tuesday, SpaceX announced that it had sold $75bn of shares priced at $135 each, a figure that places the company’s market cap at nearly $1.8trn. The valuation matches the estimate SpaceX published last week and marks the company as the most valuable public issue in history.

Shares will trade on the Nasdaq, attracting a wide array of institutional and retail investors. Analysts have already set targets above the current $135 price; for example, Oppenheimer is predicting a level as high as $190 per share. Whether the price holds or climbs will ultimately depend on demand and the number of shares offered in the opening trade.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, will remain the company’s dominant shareholder. Through a mix of Class A and Class B shares, Musk holds roughly 40% of equity while controlling more than 84% of voting rights. Even if some shares are later sold, his Class B holdings would secure continued control, a structure that brings both opportunities for decisive leadership and risks for other investors who may wish to shape the company’s direction.

The IPO also serves as a test case for other high‑valuation AI and space firms such as Anthropic and OpenAI. While SpaceX’s public listing subjects it to increased scrutiny, the company’s ability to raise capital could fuel new ventures and propel the broader space and technology sectors.

In addition to the financial implications, the IPO may influence insurance, infrastructure funding, and government contracts. Companies now enter a new era where private ventures can access public market capital, potentially accelerating the pace of innovation across the industry.

Overall, SpaceX’s debut showcases the intersection of entrepreneurial ambition, strategic share structuring, and market dynamics, setting a benchmark for future public offerings in the high‑growth tech sphere.