SpaceX rivals are trying to capitalize on Elon Musk's move to Texas by poaching his employees

SpaceX's possible relocation to Texas prompts rivals Latitude and AstroForge to openly recruit Elon Musk's employees.

• Elon Musk said SpaceX would move its HQ to Texas in response to California law protecting LGBTQ+ youth.
• Other space startups have responded by appealing to SpaceX employees to come join them.
• One CEO of a French rocket firm offered SpaceX engineers 12 bottles of champagne if they jumped ship.

Elon Musk says he plans to move SpaceX to Texas, and some of the company's competitors are trying to capitalize by poaching his employees.

At least two space firms have launched public appeals for SpaceX employees to join them after Musk announced SpaceX would move its HQ from California, with one CEO promising engineers 12 bottles of champagne if they make the move.

Stanislas Maximin, the CEO of rocket startup and SpaceX rival Latitude, responded to Musk's post announcing SpaceX's move to Texas with an appeal for disaffected SpaceX employees to move to France, where the company is based.

"For SpaceX employees misaligned with these values and looking to join an inclusive and highly ambitious rocket company in a great living city near Paris, my DMs are open," he wrote on X.

"We take care of everything for you; moving out, visas, full healthcare, your house/apartment, finding your spouse a job... a few have already taken the plunge, join them!" Maximin said. He added that he would offer 12 bottles of champagne to every engineer making the move.

A spokesperson for Latitude confirmed to Business Insider the company was "absolutely" open to hiring SpaceX employees uncomfortable with the move, and was making efforts to hire US talent more generally.

Asteroid mining startup AstroForge, which used a SpaceX rocket to launch its first mission in 2023, also responded to Musk's post with an appeal to SpaceX employees.

"We are hiring, and located in Seal Beach, CA," the company wrote on X.

Musk wrote on X that both SpaceX and X would move headquarters to Texas, in response to a new California law protecting LGBTQ+ youth that he said was "attacking both families and companies."

SpaceX dominates the space industry, conducting far more launches than any other company last year.

However, the rocket firm has faced scrutiny in recent years over its culture, with a group of former employees recently suing the company, alleging they were fired for speaking out against a hostile and misogynistic work environment.

SpaceX, Latitude, and AstroForge did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside normal working hours.

Do you work at SpaceX or have a tip? Get in touch with this reporter via email at tcarter@businessinsider.com.