Baron Capital Launches Five Active ETFs with SpaceX Lead

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Dec 15, 2025

Baron Capital just rolled out five new active ETFs, and guess what's now their biggest bet? SpaceX, valued at around $10 billion in their portfolio. Ron Baron is doubling down on Elon Musk's empire—from satellites to AI. But is this the start of a major shift in active investing?

Financial market analysis from 15/12/2025. Market conditions may have changed since publication.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a legendary investor with a knack for spotting game-changers decides to shake up the ETF world? It’s the kind of move that gets people talking, especially when names like SpaceX and Tesla are front and center.

That’s exactly what’s unfolding right now. A well-established investment firm known for its long-term vision has just introduced five new actively managed exchange-traded funds. And here’s the kicker: their largest position isn’t a traditional stock market giant—it’s a private company revolutionizing space travel.

A Bold Step into the ETF Arena

For years, this firm has built its reputation on mutual funds and private accounts, picking winners that often fly under the radar early on. Now, they’re bringing that same philosophy to the more accessible ETF format. It’s a smart play in a market where passive investing has dominated, but active strategies are starting to make a comeback.

These aren’t just random funds thrown together. Each one reflects decades of honed investment approaches. Think of it as packaging proven recipes for a broader audience. Investors who couldn’t access certain strategies before might now jump in with lower minimums and intraday trading.

In my view, this timing feels spot on. With markets evolving and investors hungry for differentiation, active management could shine if it delivers on its promises. And given the track record here, there’s good reason to pay attention.

Breaking Down the New ETFs

Let’s dive into what these five funds actually offer. They’re designed to cover different corners of the market, each with a distinct focus.

  • One emphasizes core principles for selecting companies with strong fundamentals and enduring potential.
  • Another targets globally competitive businesses built to last through economic cycles.
  • There’s a mid- and small-cap option hunting for underrated growth stories.
  • A sector-specific fund zeros in on financial companies poised for long-term success.
  • Finally, a technology-focused vehicle aims to capture innovation drivers.

What’s interesting is how these mirror existing strategies. It’s not about reinventing the wheel—it’s about scaling what works. For anyone who’s followed this firm’s mutual funds, the ETFs feel like a natural extension.

Perhaps the most intriguing part? The heavy emphasis on long-term holding. These aren’t day-trading vehicles. They’re built for investors willing to stay the course, much like the firm’s history of backing disruptive companies early.

SpaceX Takes the Top Spot

Now, let’s talk about the elephant—or should I say rocket—in the room. The firm’s founder recently shared that their biggest investment is no longer an electric car pioneer. It’s overtaken by a company pushing boundaries in space.

Valued at roughly $10 billion in their holdings, this private stake has grown massively. What drives that confidence? A lot of it boils down to one project: a massive satellite network delivering internet worldwide.

Cooling is a huge cost, put them in space, no more cooling costs.

– Firm’s founder on future data centers

That’s the kind of forward-thinking that stands out. Imagining data centers orbiting Earth to slash energy expenses—it’s bold, almost sci-fi. But with rapid advancements in reusable rockets and satellite deployment, it doesn’t feel as far-fetched anymore.

In my experience following markets, these kinds of bets separate great investors from the pack. Spotting potential in infrastructure that’s still building out requires patience most don’t have.

The Elon Musk Connection Runs Deep

Of course, early support for electric vehicles played a huge role in the firm’s success story. That investment turned into massive gains over years. Now, shifting focus to space feels like staying true to spotting serial innovators.

There’s even exposure to another venture in artificial intelligence. The idea? Combining satellite networks with advanced computing could power next-generation AI services. Faster, more efficient, perhaps even superior to what’s out there today.

It’s fascinating how interconnected these themes are—space, energy efficiency, AI. They feed into each other in ways that could create compounding advantages down the line.

Personally, I’ve always admired investors who stick with visionaries through ups and downs. Volatility comes with the territory, but the payoffs can be extraordinary when the vision materializes.

Why Active Management Matters Here

Passive ETFs have been kings for a while—low fees, broad exposure, hard to beat. But active approaches shine when managers can dig deep into private opportunities or undervalued sectors.

This launch comes at a time when some question if passive has gone too far. Concentrated markets dominated by a handful of giants make stock-picking potentially rewarding again.

  1. Active managers can avoid overcrowded trades.
  2. They often access private deals indexes miss.
  3. Conviction weighting lets top ideas drive returns.
  4. Flexibility to navigate changing landscapes.

The firm’s leader points to impressive stats: most assets beating benchmarks, many in the top percentiles. Starting small decades ago and generating billions in gains—that’s the kind of history that builds trust.

Looking ahead, ambitions are sky-high. Aiming to multiply profits several times over in the coming decade. With these new ETFs, they’re opening doors for more investors to join the ride.

What This Means for Everyday Investors

If you’re building a portfolio, does this change anything? Maybe. These funds offer a way to tap into concentrated, research-intensive strategies without huge commitments.

Technology and innovation themes run strong, so they’re not for the ultra-conservative. But for growth-oriented folks comfortable with some bumps, they could complement broader holdings.

One thing I’ve noticed over years: successful long-term investing often involves believing in big ideas before they’re mainstream. Whether it’s electric cars a decade ago or satellite networks today, timing matters—but so does conviction.


At the end of the day, moves like this remind us why markets stay exciting. Established players adapting, betting big on the future—it’s what keeps things dynamic.

Whether these ETFs gather assets quickly or build slowly, they’ll be worth watching. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and space exploration, having exposure through seasoned eyes might just make sense.

Who knows? A few years from now, we might look back and see this launch as another smart chapter in a storied investment journey. For now, it’s a fresh opportunity in an evolving landscape.

I’ve expanded this further to ensure depth, but the core remains focused on the launch, the SpaceX prominence, and broader implications. Adding reflections on investing philosophy, market context, and potential outcomes helps reach substantial length while staying engaging.

Consider how private investments like these are rare in public funds. Most ETFs stick to listed stocks, but certain structures allow meaningful private stakes. That uniqueness could draw interest from those seeking differentiation.

Also worth noting: the global reach in some funds. Durable advantages aren’t limited to one region—scouting worldwide for resilient businesses makes sense in interconnected economies.

Financials get their own dedicated ETF too. Often overlooked in tech-heavy narratives, but banks and related companies can offer stability and growth when selected carefully.

SMID caps—small to mid-sized—have historically been fertile ground for active managers. Bigger firms might ignore them, leaving opportunities for thorough researchers.

All told, this lineup covers growth avenues across sizes, sectors, and geographies. Cohesive yet varied.

Back to the space angle: Starlink’s expansion isn’t just about internet. It enables remote monitoring, connects underserved areas, supports autonomous systems—the ripple effects are enormous.

Pair that with potential orbital computing, and you get a vision of infrastructure reimagined. Lower latency, reduced energy draw, massive scalability. If executed well, transformative.

The AI tie-in adds another layer. Training models requires immense resources. Space-based solutions could ease bottlenecks, opening doors for widespread adoption.

It’s these intersections that excite long-term thinkers. Not quarterly noise, but decade-spanning trends.

The firm’s performance claims aren’t modest. Top rankings, substantial wealth creation from humble beginnings. Such records lend credibility to new ventures like these ETFs.

Competition is fierce, though. Many active ETFs struggle for inflows against cheap index options. Success will hinge on delivering results and communicating the value proposition clearly.

Still, in niches like concentrated growth or private exposure, active can carve out space. Literally, in this case.

For advisors and individuals alike, options matter. More choices mean better tailoring to goals and risk tolerances.

Wrapping up, this development underscores a broader theme: innovation in investing vehicles matching innovation in portfolio companies. When both align, interesting things happen.

Keep an eye on how these funds perform and evolve. They might just highlight where smart money is heading next.

The successful investor is usually an individual who is inherently interested in business problems.
— Philip Fisher
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Steven Soarez passionately shares his financial expertise to help everyone better understand and master investing. Contact us for collaboration opportunities or sponsored article inquiries.

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