Planet Ventures Inc. made a strategic equity investment of USD 100,000 in General Astronautics at a post-money valuation of USD 40 million, securing a stake in the startup’s Winter 2026 Y Combinator cohort. The funding supports General Astronautics’ seed expansion as it builds autonomous robotics for microgravity operations.

General Astronautics develops robotic systems for automated laboratory workflows in orbit, including pipetting, sample handling and reagent mixing without human intervention. These systems target biotech research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, advanced materials production and semiconductor processes optimized by microgravity conditions.

Planet Ventures aims to capitalize on the high-value potential of space-based R&D by backing robotics that eliminate costly astronaut labor, estimated at over USD 130,000 per hour on the ISS. The investment aligns with the company’s focus on frontier technologies and may accelerate breakthroughs benefiting Earth-based industries and future space missions.