How to Buy SpaceX Stock Before the IPO

SpaceX just hit a $350 billion valuation—making it worth more than Boeing and Lockheed Martin combined. And you want in before it goes public.

The short answer: most retail investors cannot buy SpaceX stock directly. The company remains private, Elon Musk has shown no urgency to IPO, and the secondary markets that trade SpaceX shares require accredited investor status and five-figure minimums.

But “most can’t” isn’t “no one can.” This guide breaks down exactly who can access SpaceX shares, through which platforms, at what cost—and what alternatives exist for investors who don’t qualify.

Quick Summary

What Is SpaceX?

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the stated goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars.

SpaceX operates several major business lines:

Launch Services: The Falcon 9 rocket has become the workhorse of the commercial launch industry, with a track record of over 300 successful missions. The company’s reusable rocket technology dramatically reduced launch costs and disrupted the aerospace industry.

Starlink: SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation now serves over 4 million subscribers across 75+ countries. Starlink represents a significant portion of SpaceX’s valuation and revenue potential.

Starship: The next-generation fully reusable spacecraft designed for missions to Mars, lunar landings, and point-to-point Earth travel. Starship represents SpaceX’s long-term vision and future growth potential.

Government Contracts: SpaceX holds major contracts with NASA (including crewed missions to the International Space Station) and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Funding History

SpaceX has raised capital through numerous private funding rounds since its founding:

The December 2024 valuation represents a 67% increase in a single year—a trajectory that has attracted significant investor interest.

Can You Buy SpaceX Stock?

The direct answer: No, you cannot buy SpaceX stock through a regular brokerage account. SpaceX is a private company, and its shares do not trade on public exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ.

However, there are pathways to SpaceX ownership depending on your investor status:

If you’re an accredited investor: You can potentially purchase SpaceX shares through secondary market platforms like Hiive, EquityZen, or Forge Global. These platforms facilitate transactions between existing shareholders (employees, early investors) and new buyers. Minimum investments typically range from $10,000 to $50,000+.

If you’re a retail investor (not accredited): Direct SpaceX ownership is not available. Your options are limited to indirect exposure through ETFs, mutual funds, or public companies with SpaceX stakes. Skip to the “Alternatives for Retail Investors” section for specific options.

If you’re a SpaceX employee: You may have access to company stock through equity compensation programs. SpaceX periodically conducts tender offers allowing employees to sell shares.

Accredited Investor Requirements

To access SpaceX shares through secondary markets, you must qualify as an accredited investor under SEC Rule 501 of Regulation D.

Income Test

You qualify if you earned:

• $200,000+ individual income in each of the past two years, OR
• $300,000+ combined income with your spouse
• Plus a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level this year

Net Worth Test

You qualify if you have:

• $1,000,000+ in net worth, excluding your primary residence

Professional Credentials

You automatically qualify if you hold:

• Series 7 license (General Securities Representative)
• Series 65 license (Investment Adviser Representative)
• Series 82 license (Private Securities Offerings Representative)

Reality Check: Approximately 13% of U.S. households qualify as accredited investors. If you don’t meet these thresholds, skip ahead to the “Alternatives for Retail Investors” section—there are legitimate ways to get space industry exposure without accreditation.

Verification Process

Secondary market platforms require documentation to verify accredited status. Expect to provide:

• Tax returns (W-2s, 1099s) for income verification
• Brokerage or bank statements for net worth verification
• Third-party verification letters from CPAs, attorneys, or registered investment advisers

Some platforms accept self-certification, but most require formal documentation for larger transactions.

How to Invest in SpaceX (If Accredited)

Accredited investors can access SpaceX shares through secondary market platforms that connect buyers with existing shareholders. Here’s how the major platforms work:

Hiive

Hiive is a secondary market platform that facilitates private company stock transactions.

• Minimum Investment: Typically $10,000+
• How It Works: Hiive connects buyers with sellers (often employees or early investors). You browse available offerings, submit interest, and the platform facilitates the transaction.
• Fees: Generally 2-5% of transaction value
• SpaceX Availability: SpaceX shares are regularly listed, though availability fluctuates

EquityZen

EquityZen provides access to pre-IPO companies through a fund structure.

• Minimum Investment: $10,000+
• How It Works: EquityZen creates single-company funds that hold shares of private companies. You invest in the fund, which owns the underlying shares.
• Fees: Platform fees plus fund expenses
• SpaceX Availability: SpaceX is featured prominently on the platform

Forge Global

Forge Global operates a marketplace for private company securities with an institutional focus.

• Minimum Investment: $25,000+ (often higher)
• How It Works: Forge provides a trading platform and data services for private market transactions. The platform serves both individual accredited investors and institutions.
• Fees: Transaction-based pricing
• SpaceX Availability: Available, with more institutional-sized transactions

Important Considerations

Before purchasing SpaceX shares on secondary markets, understand these realities:

Lock-up Periods: Many secondary market purchases come with restrictions on resale. You may not be able to sell until the company IPOs or for a specified period.

Pricing Opacity: Unlike public markets with transparent pricing, secondary market prices are negotiated. The price you pay may differ significantly from recent funding round valuations.

Transfer Restrictions: SpaceX (like most private companies) must approve share transfers. The company can block secondary market transactions, though this is uncommon for established platforms.

Tax Complexity: Private company stock transactions can create complex tax situations. Consult a tax professional before purchasing.

Alternatives for Retail Investors

If you don’t qualify as an accredited investor—or prefer not to tie up capital in illiquid private shares—here are legitimate ways to get exposure to SpaceX’s success or the space industry broadly.

1. ETFs with Space Industry Exposure

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX)

ARK’s space-focused ETF holds publicly traded companies in the space industry.

• Ticker: ARKX
• Expense Ratio: 0.75%
• Holdings: Rocket Lab, Trimble, Kratos Defense, and other space-adjacent companies
• SpaceX Exposure: None directly—ARKX cannot hold private companies
• Best For: Investors who believe in the space industry broadly

Procure Space ETF (UFO)

Another space-focused ETF with different holdings than ARKX.

• Ticker: UFO
• Expense Ratio: 0.75%
• Holdings: Satellite operators, launch companies, space technology firms
• SpaceX Exposure: None directly
• Best For: Diversified space industry exposure

2. Public Companies with SpaceX Stakes

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)

Google’s parent company invested in SpaceX through Google Ventures.

• Ticker: GOOGL
• SpaceX Exposure: Minimal—Google invested $900 million in SpaceX in 2015, but SpaceX represents less than 1% of Alphabet’s total value
• Reality Check: You’re primarily buying Google’s search, cloud, and advertising businesses. SpaceX exposure is a rounding error.

Fidelity Funds

Several Fidelity mutual funds reportedly hold SpaceX shares, including:

• Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund (FBGRX)

• Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

• Fidelity Growth Company Fund (FDGRX)

• SpaceX Exposure: Small percentage of fund holdings

• Access: Available through most brokerage accounts and 401(k) plans

• Caveat: Holdings change over time; verify current SpaceX positions before investing

3. Public Space Industry Competitors

If you believe in the space industry’s growth, consider publicly traded companies in the sector:

Important: These companies have different business models, risk profiles, and growth trajectories than SpaceX. They’re alternatives for space industry exposure, not SpaceX proxies.

4. Wait for the IPO

The most straightforward path to SpaceX ownership: wait for the company to go public.

Pros:

• No accreditation requirements
• Full liquidity from day one
• Transparent pricing
• Regulatory protections of public markets

Cons:

• Unknown timeline (could be 3-5+ years)
• IPO price may be significantly higher than current valuations
• No guarantee an IPO will happen at all

SpaceX Valuation History

Understanding SpaceX’s valuation trajectory helps contextualize what you’d be paying on secondary markets:

*Approximate; actual share prices vary based on share class and transaction specifics.

Valuation Context

SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation makes it:

• The most valuable private company in the world
• Worth more than Boeing ($115B) and Lockheed Martin ($130B) combined
• Valued at roughly 50x estimated annual revenue

This valuation assumes continued Starlink growth, successful Starship development, and eventual profitability at scale. Whether this valuation is justified depends on your view of SpaceX’s execution and the addressable market for space services.

Risks of Pre-IPO Investing

Secondary market platforms make private stock accessible—but they don’t make it safe. Here’s what you’re actually signing up for:

Liquidity Risk: You Can’t Sell When You Want

Unlike public stocks, there’s no guaranteed buyer for your shares. If you need to exit:

• You must find a buyer on the same platform (or another secondary market)
• Transaction times can take weeks or months
• You may have to accept significant discounts to attract buyers
• Some platforms restrict sales until the company IPOs

The reality: Treat any pre-IPO investment as locked capital for 3-7 years.

Valuation Risk: The Price Is Whatever Someone Says

SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation comes from its latest tender offer—a negotiation between the company and sophisticated investors. That doesn’t mean:

• The valuation is “correct” or sustainable
• The IPO will price at or above this level
• Your secondary market purchase at this valuation makes sense

Private company valuations can drop significantly. In 2021, Instacart was valued at $39 billion in private markets. Its 2023 IPO priced at $9.9 billion—a 75% haircut for anyone who bought near the peak.

Dilution Risk: Your Percentage Shrinks

Every new funding round creates new shares. A company that raises multiple funding rounds before IPO dilutes existing shareholders. SpaceX has raised 30+ funding rounds since 2002—each one reducing the ownership percentage of earlier investors.

Key Person Risk: The Elon Factor

SpaceX’s success is deeply tied to Elon Musk’s vision, leadership, and ability to attract talent. Any change in his involvement—whether by choice or circumstance—could significantly impact the company’s trajectory and valuation.

Regulatory and Execution Risk

SpaceX operates in a heavily regulated industry:

• Launch licenses require FAA approval
• Starlink faces regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries
• Government contracts can be cancelled or reduced
• Starship development faces technical and regulatory hurdles

When Will SpaceX Go Public?

The honest answer: nobody knows, and anyone claiming certainty is speculating.

What Elon Musk Has Said

Musk has consistently stated that SpaceX will remain private until Starlink achieves “reasonably predictable” revenue and cash flow. He’s expressed concern that public market pressures could distract from SpaceX’s long-term mission to Mars.

In various interviews and statements, Musk has suggested:

• Starlink could potentially spin off as a separate public company
• SpaceX itself may never go public
• Any IPO is years away, not imminent

Analyst Speculation

Most industry analysts don’t expect a SpaceX IPO before 2026-2027 at the earliest. A Starlink spinoff is considered more likely than a full SpaceX IPO.

Historical Comparisons

SpaceX has already been private longer than most comparable companies were before their IPOs. This could mean an IPO is overdue—or that Musk genuinely intends to keep the company private indefinitely.

The Bottom Line

Can you buy SpaceX stock? Most retail investors cannot. The company is private, and direct access requires accredited investor status plus $10,000+ minimums on secondary market platforms.

If you’re an accredited investor: Platforms like Hiive, EquityZen, and Forge Global offer access to SpaceX shares. Understand the liquidity constraints, valuation risks, and lock-up periods before investing. Treat any purchase as a long-term, illiquid investment.

If you’re a retail investor: Your options are limited to indirect exposure—ETFs like ARKX for space industry exposure, Fidelity funds that may hold SpaceX, or public space companies like Rocket Lab. None of these are true SpaceX proxies, but they offer liquid, accessible ways to invest in the space economy.

For everyone: Consider whether the current $350 billion valuation makes sense given the risks. SpaceX is an extraordinary company, but extraordinary companies can still be overvalued. The best investment might be waiting for the IPO—whenever that happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy SpaceX stock?

No, you cannot buy SpaceX stock through a regular brokerage account. SpaceX is a private company. Accredited investors can access shares through secondary market platforms like Hiive, EquityZen, or Forge Global with minimum investments of $10,000+. Retail investors are limited to indirect exposure through ETFs or funds that hold SpaceX shares.

Is SpaceX publicly traded?

No, SpaceX is not publicly traded. The company remains private and has no announced plans to IPO. Elon Musk has stated SpaceX will remain private until Starlink achieves predictable cash flow. Most analysts don’t expect an IPO before 2026-2027 at the earliest.

How much is SpaceX worth?

SpaceX was valued at $350 billion in its December 2024 tender offer, making it the world’s most valuable private company. This valuation is based on private transactions between the company and institutional investors, not public market trading.

When will SpaceX go public?

There is no announced IPO date for SpaceX. Elon Musk has indicated the company will remain private until Starlink revenue becomes predictable. A Starlink spinoff IPO is considered more likely than a full SpaceX IPO. Most analysts estimate any public offering is 3-5+ years away.

How can retail investors get SpaceX exposure?

Retail investors cannot buy SpaceX stock directly but can get indirect exposure through: (1) ARK Space Exploration ETF (ARKX) for space industry exposure, (2) Fidelity mutual funds that may hold SpaceX shares, (3) Alphabet stock (GOOGL), which has a small SpaceX stake, or (4) public space companies like Rocket Lab (RKLB) as sector alternatives.

What is an accredited investor?

An accredited investor is an individual who meets SEC income or net worth requirements: $200,000+ annual income ($300,000 with spouse) for the past two years, OR $1 million+ net worth excluding primary residence. Approximately 13% of U.S. households qualify. Accredited status is required to invest in most private company offerings.

Sources

• Bloomberg, Reuters, and financial news outlets: SpaceX $350 billion valuation (December 2024)
• SEC: Accredited Investor Definition, Rule 501 of Regulation D
• WSJ: “Google to Invest in SpaceX” (January 2015)
• Hiive: Secondary market platform documentation
• EquityZen: Pre-IPO investment platform information
• Forge Global: Private market trading platform
• CNBC: “Instacart IPO Prices at $9.9 Billion” (September 2023)
• SpaceX: Company information and Starlink subscriber data
• ARK Invest: ARKX ETF holdings and documentation