PANews reported on June 9th that, according to the Wall Street Journal, SpaceX's upcoming IPO is expected to generate substantial paper profits for the endowments of several US universities. The University of North Carolina System has approximately 10% of its endowment invested in SpaceX, primarily due to its early investment in Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. Washington University in St. Louis holds over 15% of SpaceX, having invested in the company in 2018 in conjunction with Vy Capital. Stanford University also holds a significant stake in SpaceX indirectly through Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Thrive Capital, and Darsana, among others.

SpaceX has transformed from a rocket launch company into an internet provider, social media platform, and AI company, with its valuation soaring from $140 billion in December 2022 to a IPO price of approximately $1.77 trillion this week. Some universities have already reduced their holdings in the secondary market to cash out; for example, the University of Washington has reduced some of its positions to lock in profits. Despite the substantial paper gains, the use of endowment funds is subject to legal restrictions, and universities may not have complete control over them.