Arkadia Space, which counts Draper B1 among its main investors, has been selected by the European Innovation Council under the European Innovation Council Accelerator (EIC) programme, one of the most demanding and prestigious funding calls in the European Union. In this edition, 923 companies from across Europe applied, and only 61 were selected (a 6.6% success rate).
The funding is structured as €2.5 million in grants, €6 million in equity investment through the EIC Fund, and an additional €6 million in private investment, making Arkadia the first Spanish space company to access this instrument. Beyond the funding itself, this decision represents direct institutional backing from the European Commission for Arkadia’s peroxide-based green propulsion technology and a clear signal of Europe’s commitment to this technological pathway.
A European alternative to hydrazine
Arkadia is developing a new hypergolic bipropellant technology based on high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and a proprietary green fuel developed by the company, designed to replace hydrazine and its derivatives (MON/MMH), which are highly toxic and increasingly restricted under European regulations.
Currently, Arkadia is the only company in the world with such an advanced development of peroxide-based hypergolic propulsion systems, and thanks to the EIC’s support, it will be the first to commercialise this type of technology.
“The EIC’s support comes at a key moment for Arkadia. Over the past year, we have demonstrated that our technology meets market requirements and that there is a real performance alternative to systems using highly toxic fuels. This recognition confirms that we are on the right path and gives us a major boost to commercialise the technology as early as next year,” said Francho García, co-founder and CEO of Arkadia Space.
Beyond the financial contribution, the project has a strategic dimension, as it is seen as a European commitment to green propulsion technologies, which are key within the supply chain for satellites and space vehicles. The goal is to build a fully European supply chain, free from third-party dependencies and ITAR restrictions.
From qualification to industrial leadership
The EIC’s support follows the in-orbit validation of DARK, the green propulsion system developed by the company and launched in March 2025 aboard a satellite operated by the Italian company D-Orbit, during a SpaceX mission. This flight marked the first time in Europe that a hydrogen peroxide-based system reached space, confirming the viability, safety, and performance of technology developed entirely in Spain.
At the same time, Arkadia will expand its testing centre at Castellón Airport, consolidating it as one of the most advanced private propulsion testing infrastructures in Europe and significantly reducing development timelines.
This technological and infrastructure progress is accompanied by growing market interest: the company has already signed several commercial contracts that will be announced in the coming months, anticipating a new phase of industrial growth.
About Arkadia Space
Arkadia Space is a Spanish space company, founded in 2020 and headquartered at Castellón Airport, specialising in the development and commercialisation of green propulsion systems for satellites and space vehicles. Its solutions, based on high-concentration hydrogen peroxide and proprietary fuels, are designed to replace traditional highly toxic propellants used in the industry, improving safety, operational efficiency, and the sustainability of space missions.
In 2025, Arkadia became one of the first companies in Europe to validate peroxide-based propulsion technology in orbit, following the launch of its DARK system aboard a mission by D-Orbit and SpaceX. This milestone confirmed the company’s technological capabilities under real conditions and marked the beginning of its commercial phase.
Arkadia is currently developing a range of propulsion systems spanning from monopropellant solutions to advanced bipropellant technologies, targeting applications such as satellite manoeuvres, in-orbit services, and space logistics. With this approach, the company positions itself as a strategic provider in the development of the next generation of space mobility in Europe
cloud technology axon
Importantly, the significance of IPO markets extends beyond the compan...
