Gilmour Space Technologies

Gilmour Space Technologies is an Australian aerospace company, not a Venture Capital firm as initially suggested. It is headquartered in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, and specialises in developing and launching rockets and satellites. The company's core mission revolves around providing dedicated and affordable access to space for the small satellite market, serving commercial, government, and defence customers both domestically and internationally.

Gilmour Space was founded in 2013 by brothers Adam and James Gilmour. Initially, the company focused on designing and manufacturing high-fidelity spaceflight simulators and replicas before pivoting to rocket development in 2015. A significant early achievement was the successful launch of Australia and Singapore's first privately developed hybrid test rocket in 2016, reaching an altitude of 4-5 km. The company has since grown to become Australia's largest space tech employer, with over 200 full-time staff comprising engineers, technicians, and specialists dedicated to building sovereign rockets and satellites.

What sets Gilmour Space apart is its pioneering work in hybrid-propellant rocket engines, which are designed to be safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than traditional solid or liquid-fuelled engines. They are also recognised as the first company globally to produce a multi-material fuel grain using additive (3D) manufacturing, demonstrating their innovative approach to aerospace technology. The company is establishing Australia's first integrated launch and satellite capability, encompassing launch vehicles, satellite platforms, and a licensed orbital spaceport.

Key achievements include securing a $52 million federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative Collaboration grant for the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN), which led to the finalisation of a 10,000 sqm advanced manufacturing facility in Yatala, Queensland. In March 2024, their Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland received its licence, becoming Australia's first commercial orbital spaceport. The maiden flight of their Eris Block 1 orbital rocket, known as Eris TestFlight1, took place in July 2025, marking Australia's first sovereign orbital rocket attempt, which, despite a brief flight, provided crucial data. Furthermore, Gilmour Space has successfully demonstrated its satellite capabilities with the ElaraSat MMS-1, a 100kg satellite bus, which was launched and is operational in orbit after a U.S. rideshare mission in 2025. The company successfully raised $217 million in its Series E funding round in January 2026, with significant investment from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Hostplus, underscoring strong investor confidence in its vision to deliver reliable and regular access to space.

The leadership team is spearheaded by co-founders Adam Gilmour, the Chief Executive Officer, and James Gilmour, who serves as the Head of Launch Operations. Their collective vision is to provide end-to-end space services, from mission management and in-space propulsion to launch services for small payloads and satellites to low Earth orbit.