How to Invest in Starlink

Starlink is a subsidiary of SpaceX, a privately owned aerospace technology company founded by Elon Musk. However, it is not available for public investment. No shares trade on public exchanges. However, that could soon change. Whispers about an upcoming IPO for the broadband internet service have grown louder. Still, the company has not yet officially announced a public offering.

In the meantime, investors may invest indirectly by purchasing SpaceX shares through a private placement. They purchase ownership in publicly traded companies that are major SpaceX investors. This is with the hope that investing in these funds could provide early access to Starlink shares.

This is what you need to know about Starlink and the potential pathways to add it to your portfolio.

Speak with a financial advisor to navigate the rules and valuations surrounding private investments.

Starlink’s Story

Starlink is a satellite communications company. It began offering high-speed internet service in 2020 to terrestrial customers equipped with small, flat dishes.

It employs a novel technology that uses swarms of small, inexpensive satellites orbiting at only a few hundred miles above Earth. An advantage of the technology is that it doesn’t require preexisting cable infrastructure. Therefore, it is relatively simple to connect rural or otherwise remote locations. As a result, Starlink’s offering has quickly gained traction among subscribers.

By May 2024, the company had launched a fleet of more than 6,000 satellites. ¹ Propelled by performance that rivaled earth-bound internet service, Starlink enrolled around three million subscribers within five years. By September 2024, that number had jumped to four million.

With over 6,750 satellites in orbit, Starlink calls itself the world’s largest satellite constellation operator in 2026. ² It boasts an estimated 2025 revenue of $11.4 billion, and expectations for a 2026 SpaceX IPO should bring explosive growth. ³

Ways to Invest in Starlink

Investors who want to participate in Starlink’s financial future must do so indirectly. As a subsidiary of a privately held company, Starlink does not allow for direct investment.

However, there are several ways investors can indirectly invest in the satellite communications startup.

• SpaceX. One way to own Starlink is to invest in SpaceX through an online private equity exchange. These exchanges pair investors with SpaceX shareholders, such as employees and venture investors. However, you must be an accredited investor to use these exchanges. This generally means you have either a high net worth or a reliable income of over $200,000 per year.
• Publicly traded companies. Another way is to purchase shares of a publicly traded company that is a large investor. These include Bank of America and Alphabet, the parent of Google.
• Publicly traded funds. Publicly traded funds may offer another route. Ark Space Exploration ETF is one example. This space-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) may eventually gain access to Starlink shares, even before it goes public.
• Tesla. An investment in Tesla, Musk’s electric car venture, could also pave the way to early ownership of Starlink. Musk has said that Tesla shareholders may get priority for purchasing shares in Starlink in any future IPO.

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Starlink Risks

Starlink was initially anticipated to go public as soon as 2025, according to past statements from the company’s leaders. However, it could be many years before a Starlink public offering, and it may not happen at all. Many financial institutions may be willing to provide financing, so a public offering could be unnecessary.

In addition to delay, competition is a concern. Several companies are starting or preparing alternative services using a similar technological approach. Rivals include potentially formidable competitors such as Verizon and AT&T. There are also smaller companies that may find ways to gain an edge over Starlink.

Where Starlink Stands in 2026

The speculative outlook that defined much of Starlink’s early story has given way to something more concrete.

By early 2026, the satellite internet service had crossed 10 million active subscribers worldwide, doubling its base for two consecutive years across more than 160 countries. Those numbers have transformed Starlink from a promising startup into the primary revenue engine of its parent company.

The IPO question, long a matter of open speculation, reached a turning point in spring 2026. SpaceX submitted a confidential registration statement to the SEC on April 1, 2026, with reports indicating a target valuation north of $1.75 trillion. ⁴

A June Nasdaq debut has been signaled. Many expect the public prospectus to become available in late April or May. At the reported raise and valuation, the offering would surpass every U.S. IPO on record.

Structural details of the offering carry meaningful implications for anyone considering a purchase. As detailed in the prospectus, the company is structured so that Musk retains a commanding share of voting power relative to his ownership stake. This is through a dual-class arrangement that gives public shareholders limited influence over corporate decisions, regardless of how many shares they have.

The broader investment case has also shifted considerably with SpaceX’s February 2026 all-stock acquisition of xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence venture. The deal folds Grok AI capabilities into Starlink’s network operations. It introduces what the company frames as its orbital computing initiative.

How institutional and retail investors ultimately price that narrative once the full prospectus is public will help determine whether the June timeline holds.

Bottom Line

While Starlink has established itself as a major player in satellite communications, it isn’t currently available on public stock exchanges. Because it remains a subsidiary of privately held SpaceX, investors can only gain indirect exposure through companies or funds that hold a stake in SpaceX. This may include private equity opportunities for accredited investors. It can also include public companies like Alphabet that have invested in SpaceX. Some investors also look to Tesla, hoping that future access to Starlink shares will be available to existing shareholders if the company eventually pursues an IPO.

Investment Planning Tips

• Money is always in motion. Sign up for the Market Minute newsletter for news that may affect Starlink, SpaceX and other potential investments.
• If a company in the headlines grabs your interest as an investor, consider sitting down with a financial advisor to discuss how an investment in the company could fit into your financial plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• While you are looking into to buying shares of Tesla, you may want to consider owning a Tesla vehicle. SmartAsset’s How to Buy a Tesla guide tells you how to go about it.
• Keep an emergency fund on hand in case you run into unexpected expenses. An emergency fund should be liquid — in an account that isn’t at risk of significant fluctuation like the stock market. The tradeoff is that the value of liquid cash can be eroded by inflation. But a high-interest account allows you to earn compound interest. Compare savings accounts from these banks.
• Are you a financial advisor looking to grow your business? SmartAsset AMP helps advisors connect with leads and offers marketing automation solutions so you can spend more time making conversions. Learn more about SmartAsset AMP.

Photo credit: Grok

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