WorkerInSpace, a South Korean startup focused on satellite servicing and manufacturing in space, has raised $6.1 million USD (9 billion KRW) in pre-Series A funding. IMM Investment led the round, with Mirae Asset Venture Investment, Shinhan Venture Investment, Laguna Investment, and POSCO Investment joining as investors. This brings the company’s total funding to $7.5 million USD (11 billion KRW) since its founding two years ago.

The company launched in 2024 with a $1.4 million USD (2 billion KRW) seed round. Earlier this year, WorkerInSpace opened a research facility in Sejong City and started designing robotic satellites for on-orbit servicing – services like refueling satellites and repairing them in space. The startup has built Korea’s first privately-owned three-dimensional microgravity simulation system, which it’s using to develop these technologies.

The startup has also won government backing, securing spots in both the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Deep Tech Challenge and the Korea AeroSpace Administration’s Space Challenge. Combined with other government projects, WorkerInSpace has locked in roughly $60 million USD (8.8 billion KRW) in public funding for 2025.

“We’re thrilled to close this round at $6.1 million, well above our $4.8 million USD (7 billion KRW) target, especially given the tough funding climate,” said Haedong Kim, CEO of WorkerInSpace. He credited strong investor appetite to the company’s robotic satellite technology and its early push into the largely untapped global market for satellite servicing.

WorkerInSpace is working to become the first company to combine humanoid robotics with satellite technology for space-based maintenance and repairs – essentially creating an “after-sales service” for satellites to extend their operational lives. The company has already signed a Letter of Intent with domestic operator KTSAT and is in talks with SES, the world’s largest satellite communications company, as it builds out its client pipeline.

“This funding will help us accelerate development of our servicing satellites,” Kim said. “We’re aiming to become Korea’s first company to sign commercial contracts for orbital servicing and establish ourselves as a global leader in this space.”

The startup is currently part of the 8th Daejeon cohort of IBK ChangGong, an accelerator program run by IBK Industrial Bank of Korea.