Max Polyakov Fuels UK’s Space Ambitions with Skyrora Investment

Scotland-based rocket company Skyrora has recently received a significant boost in its latest funding round. The fresh funding comes from Ukrainian entrepreneur Max Polyakov, founder of Noosphere Ventures, a US-based investment fund focused on space and advanced technologies. This investment positions the company as a central player in Britain’s ambitions for independent space launch capabilities.

Skyrora Gains Momentum in UK Space Sector

Headquartered in Glasgow and with facilities across Europe, Skyrora designs and manufactures rockets that provide flexible access to orbit. This capability is essential for the growing small satellite market, which needs faster launch options.

The company combines innovation with sustainability: its proprietary Ecosene fuel, made from unrecyclable plastic waste, offers a cleaner alternative to conventional propellants. Furthermore, most of Skyrora’s suppliers are locally based, which reduces emissions. The company’s engineers also actively participate in STEM education programs across Scotland, nurturing the next generation of space innovators.

Today, Skyrora’s growth is accelerating across multiple fronts, from propulsion engineering and advanced manufacturing to avionics and testing. By rapidly designing, evaluating, and refining its rocket systems through continuous improvement cycles, Skyrora is proving itself to be a true disruptor in the European space technology landscape.

Bridging the UK Launch Gap

For decades, the UK excelled in satellite production, data services, and space analytics, but lacked its own domestic launch capability. Skyrora’s growing infrastructure, along with Polyakov's investment, is helping close that gap.

Crucially, in August 2025, the company achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first UK rocket manufacturer to receive an official launch licence from the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The licence allows Skyrora to launch Skylark L, a suborbital vehicle designed to test technologies for its upcoming Skyrora XL orbital rocket, from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetlands.

This achievement marks an industry first for the UK and highlights the country’s growing ability to compete on the global space stage. Skyrora’s leadership sees this as a sign of what is possible when British innovation meets long-term vision.

Skyrora CEO Volodymyr Levykin described the licence as “a crucial step toward enabling sovereign launch capabilities for the UK”, while the Scottish Government called it a “landmark moment” for the nation’s space economy.

Max Polyakov: A Visionary Investor

Max Polyakov brings more than just funding: he also brings decades of experience in scaling aerospace ventures. As the founder of Noosphere Ventures, Polyakov has built a vertically integrated ecosystem spanning launch vehicles, satellites, and data analytics, including Firefly Aerospace, EOS Data Analytics, Dragonfly Aerospace, and SETS. Through Noosphere Ventures, Polyakov has repeatedly transformed high-potential companies into global competitors.

A prime example is Firefly Aerospace, which Polyakov founded in 2017, after rescuing Firefly Space Systems from bankruptcy. He invested over $200 million, restructured the team, and integrated innovative technologies. Firefly completed the maiden launch of its Alpha rocket in 2021 and, in 2025, successfully landed the Blue Ghost lunar lander under NASA’s CLPS program. That same year, Firefly completed a NASDAQ IPO, raising over $850 million.

Firefly’s transformation illustrates Polyakov’s ability to scale startups into globally recognised companies, a proven track record that strengthens Skyrora’s strategic direction and investor confidence.

Space for Sustainability

Polyakov’s vision extends beyond just financial returns. He also believes that space innovation should directly benefit life on Earth by addressing global challenges like climate change, food security, and environmental management. According to Polyakov, spacetech can “transform entire industries, create new ones, and drive positive change in how we tackle humanity’s greatest challenge: the climate emergency.”

This philosophy is embedded in Skyrora’s approach. With Polyakov’s backing, the company can scale up testing and production, develop its technology more quickly, and deliver a regular commercial launch programme, while continuing to advance sustainability goals and maintaining focus on its core engineering strengths.

Polyakov’s investment does not alter Skyrora’s underlying mission: to become the UK’s leading launch provider, delivering sovereign access to space. Instead, it reinforces it, ensuring the company has the resources and infrastructure needed to grow sustainably, create high-value jobs, and contribute to Britain’s leadership in defence and space innovation.

Investment in this sector is also set to boost the UK’s economy, fostering long-term prosperity and helping cement the country’s position on the world stage as a leader in aerospace, defence innovation, and space-based technologies.

Crucially, Skyrora’s core engineering expertise remains at the heart of its strategy. Its biggest opportunity to deliver value both to shareholders and to the nation lies in providing reliable commercial launch services from UK soil.

Establishing a Global Space Infrastructure

With Max Polyakov’s support, Skyrora is poised to become a cornerstone of Europe’s commercial launch sector, driving Britain’s space sovereignty and economic resilience. Its work demonstrates how strategic investment, continuous engineering progress, and a focus on sustainability can redefine what’s possible, both in orbit and here on Earth.