Space · Houston, TX · Founded 2020 · Raised $171M · Growth stage

Venus Aerospace

A generational improvement in rocket engine technology, Venus Aerospace’s RDRE & VDR deliver unmatched efficiency, scalability, and performance for defense, space, and commercial high-speed flight

Review noteFounded in 2020 in Houston by Sassie and Andrew Duggleby. It flew a rotating detonation rocket engine in May 2025 on about $80M of investment, then closed a $91M Series B led by Mercury Fund in mid-2026, with Lockheed Martin Ventures among the investors. Source ↗

Edge

10#213 · New

2 of 8 families

Why now

Filed 2 trademark applications for goods related to hypersonics, all intent to use, including VENUS RDRE
Regulatory · Oct 12
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Traffic · Undated

Score

Momentum28

Regulatory, traffic

Thesis fit90

× 0.93

Matched on aerospace, defense, dod, hypersonic, propulsion

Earliness9

× 0.46

Already visible: capital raised, funding stage

Team–

× 0.85

No people identified yet

28 × 0.93 × 0.46 × 0.85 = 10

Edge, 12 weeks

Signals

Oct 12RegulatoryFiled 2 trademark applications for goods related to hypersonics, all intent to use, including VENUS RDRE↗

Why now

Score

Edge, 12 weeks

Signals

Undated