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SpaceX IPO Gives Musk Near‑Total Control, Valuation Hits $1.5T

Wall Street Journal US Business •
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SpaceX’s debut on the public markets gives Elon Musk an almost total grip on the company. By issuing supervoting shares backed by Texas law, Musk now owns roughly 85% of the voting power and chairs, runs, and engineers the firm. The move sidesteps the board battles that plagued Tesla.

The structure mirrors Musk’s frustrations at Tesla, where activist investors and lawsuits have forced him to defend the board. With the new arrangement, a shareholder cannot oust him or alter policy without his consent. This consolidation of control is rare for a company poised to hit a $1.5 trillion market cap.

Investors face a trade‑off: backing a company that could dominate space launch and AI while accepting that Musk retains decisive influence. The IPO structure limits board autonomy, potentially shielding SpaceX from activist pressure but also concentrating risk. Analysts note the deal is a bold statement about governance in high‑growth tech.

SpaceX’s IPO confirms Musk’s dominance and sets a precedent for future tech listings. The company’s valuation will likely exceed $1.5 trillion, giving shareholders exposure to a firm that keeps Musk at the helm. Investors must weigh the upside of SpaceX’s growth against the concentration of power.