In the SmallSat Industry there have been some very successful achievements in sourcing new capital over the last year. This panel represents some of the best cases of capital recruitment. What was the experience like for our panel members? Questions for the panel are what they intend to do with the cash, how long will it last, and when do they estimate a next round will be necessary? Importantly how has the process evolved and what were the lessons learned etc.
Mark Boggett
Mark Boggett is CEO of Seraphim Capital a London based venture firm. The team manages the recently launched Seraphim Space Fund, a pioneering new fund backed by a range of leading space corporates seeking investments in space-related start-ups. He is also director of UK Space Tech Angels and is Chairman of the London Co-investment Fund – one of the most active seed investors in Europe. Prior to Seraphim he was at YFM Equity Partners serving on their mainboard for a number of years and working on the British Smaller Company VCT 1 and 2. He has a degree in Accounting & Finance, an MA in Economics & Finance from the University of Leeds and a range of professional investment qualifications.
Tim Ellis
Tim is co-founder and CEO of Relativity, the first autonomous rocket factory and launch services leader for satellite constellations. Relativity is the market leader for a new platform to build and fly rockets and other aerospace products. They recently created the largest robotic metal 3D printer in the world and tested their entirely 3D printed Aeon rocket engine over 124 times. Tim played a leading role in closing over $80M of partnerships with the U.S. Government, including the first-ever venture-backed company to win an Air Force launch site award at Cape Canaveral. Previously responsible for bringing metal 3D printing into Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, and a propulsion development engineer on Crew Capsule RCS thrusters, BE-4, and New Glenn. Alumni of USC and played a leadership role in launching the first student-designed and built rocket into near space. Testified to the U.S. Senate on commercial space policy and is the youngest member of the National Space Council UAG by nearly 2 decades, and directly advises the United States White House on all space policy. Has spoken at numerous conferences including CBInsights Aha! and TEDx. Relativity is backed by Playground Global, Social Capital, Y Combinator, Mark Cuban, USC, and Stanford.
Ron Lopez
Ron joined Astroscale as Managing Director in April 2019 to lead the company’s business operations in the United States.
Ron brings over 25 years of government and industry experience, encompassing systems engineering, program management, sales and marketing, technology/research and development management, and strategy formulation.
Ron started his career as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force, serving as the focal point for Space Situational Awareness capability development at Air Force Space Command’s Space Control Division. He then joined Boeing and worked on various
programs as a Systems Engineering Manager within Boeing Research & Technology and Phantom Works and led business development activities for the Network & Space Systems division throughout the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Astroscale, Ron led
the Defense & Space Asia Pacific sales team at Honeywell Aerospace, helping the company achieve significant sales growth and expansion into new markets.
Over half of Ron’s career has been spent working and living in Japan, and he is an active member of The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation’s U.S.-Japan Space Forum.
Ron earned a Bachelor of Science from The United States Air Force Academy in 1993.
Daniel Metzler