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SpaceX and Meta Dominate the Century’s Biggest Startup Payoffs. But Number 6 Is a Surprise

Reported by Inc
Jul 14, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • SpaceX completed the largest initial public offering in U.S. history, pricing at $150 per share (11% above the offering price) and opening with a $1.8 trillion valuation that immediately exceeded Meta, Saudi Aramco, and Tesla.
  • • The company has ascended to the world's sixth-most-valuable corporation, reaching a $2.5 trillion market capitalization within three trading sessions, surpassing Amazon, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, and Tesla.
  • • Elon Musk retains controlling interest with 42% equity ownership (worth over $1 trillion at IPO valuation) and maintains 85% voting power through super-voting shares, cementing his influence over strategic decisions.
  • • SpaceX generated approximately $19 billion in annual revenue, with Starlink (the satellite internet division) representing a substantial portion of revenue generation, though the company posted a $4.94 billion net loss in the reported period.
  • • The company announced a $60 billion acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor concurrent with its public market debut, signaling aggressive expansion into artificial intelligence capabilities and technical infrastructure.
Summary
SpaceX achieved a transformational milestone by executing the largest initial public offering in U.S. history, marking a watershed moment for commercial space exploration as a publicly traded sector. The company priced its offering at $150 per share, representing an 11% premium to the offering price, and commenced trading with an $1.8 trillion valuation that immediately positioned it among the world's most valuable corporations—surpassing Meta Platforms, Saudi Aramco, and Tesla on day one.

The momentum accelerated dramatically across SpaceX's first three trading sessions. Within two days of trading, the company had reached a $2.5 trillion market capitalization, elevating it to the sixth-most-valuable company globally. This rapid ascent displaced established tech giants including Amazon, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, and Tesla, reflecting institutional investor appetite for space-sector exposure and confidence in the company's operational execution and revenue generation.

SpaceX's financial profile reveals a capital-intensive business model supporting sustained growth. The company generated approximately $19 billion in annual revenue, with its Starlink satellite internet division constituting a material revenue contributor. However, SpaceX reported a $4.94 billion net loss during the evaluated period, consistent with infrastructure-heavy technology companies investing aggressively in launch capabilities, satellite constellation expansion, and next-generation platforms. Elon Musk, the company's founder and primary shareholder, controls 42% of equity (valued at over $1 trillion at IPO pricing) and maintains voting control through 85% of voting power via super-voting share structures.

Concurrent with its public debut, SpaceX announced a $60 billion acquisition of Cursor, an artificial intelligence coding startup, signaling strategic diversification into software infrastructure and AI-assisted development capabilities. This transaction underscores management's intent to build vertical integration across launch services, satellite infrastructure, and software technologies. The IPO is expected to catalyze broader investor interest in the space technology ecosystem, with satellite and launch service providers including Rocket Lab, Redwire, and AST SpaceMobile positioned to benefit from sector rotation and increased capital availability.

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Inc SpaceX and Meta Dominate the Century’s Biggest Startup Payoffs. But Number 6 Is a Surprise