Interlune Secures $18 Million Seed Funding to Advance Lunar Resource Extraction Technologies
Interlune, a Seattle-based startup specializing in lunar resource extraction, has emerged from stealth mode with a mission to harvest natural resources from the Moon to benefit humanity. The company has secured $18 million in seed funding, led by Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm Seven Seven Six, with participation from Aurelia Foundry Fund, Gaingels, Liquid 2 Ventures, Shasta Ventures, and a group of University of Michigan alumni. This investment aims to advance Interlune’s technology for extracting Helium-3 and other natural resources from lunar regolith.
Founded in 2020 by former Blue Origin President Rob Meyerson, Chief Architect Gary Lai, and Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt, Interlune is committed to sustainable and responsible harvesting of natural resources from space. The company’s core technology includes novel methods for excavating, sorting, and processing lunar soil to extract valuable resources. Interlune’s harvester is designed to be smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient than existing industry concepts, making it more cost-effective for lunar operations.
The primary focus of Interlune’s initial efforts is the extraction of Helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth but abundant on the Moon. Helium-3 has potential applications in quantum computing, medical imaging, fusion energy, and national security. The company plans to transport lunar Helium-3 back to Earth for use by commercial and government customers. In addition to Helium-3, Interlune aims to harvest other resources such as industrial metals, rare Earth elements, and water to support a long-term presence on the Moon and establish an in-space economy.
To further its objectives, Interlune has received several grants from U.S. government agencies. In October 2023, the company was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant to develop technology for sizing and sorting lunar regolith. This award supports prototype testing on Earth under simulated lunar conditions, with future phases aimed at full-scale development and demonstration on the Moon.
In May 2025, Interlune entered into a historic agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Isotope Program to sell Helium-3 extracted from lunar regolith. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the commercialization of space resources and underscores the growing demand for Helium-3 across various industries.
In September 2025, Interlune was awarded a $4.8 million grant from the Texas Space Commission to establish a research and development facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This center will focus on developing and testing advanced lunar regolith simulants, which are essential for simulating lunar conditions and refining extraction technologies. The grant also supports workforce development in Texas by expanding Interlune’s operations and creating additional infrastructure to strengthen the state’s aerospace economy.
Interlune’s innovative approach to lunar resource extraction positions it as a leader in the emerging space economy. By developing technologies to access and utilize resources on the Moon, the company aims to contribute to the sustainability of space exploration and provide valuable materials for use on Earth. With strong backing from both private investors and government agencies, Interlune is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of space resource utilization.
