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  • Colorado Space Roundup: Challenges and breakthroughs shaping humanity’s journey to the Moon and beyond

    Colorado Space Roundup: Challenges and breakthroughs shaping humanity’s journey to the Moon and beyond

    Recent and ongoing technological, business, and policy innovations are paving the way for enhanced, more productive, and farther reaching human presence in space, on the Moon, and beyond. Today I had the opportunity to attend and connect with fellow industry professionals at the “Lunar and Beyond” panel during the 21st… >>>

  • Leading the Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching Workshop at the NASA/Starburst Aerospace Space-H Accelerator

    Leading the Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching Workshop at the NASA/Starburst Aerospace Space-H Accelerator

    Thanks to the teams at Starburst Aerospace, NASA’s Human Research Program, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Methuselah Foundation, and Microsoft Federal for hosting me to lead the inaugural Space-H Space Health Accelerator cohort in a workshop on the nuances of Business Innovation Value Proposition Pitching. >>>

  • Costa Rica, 2024

    Costa Rica, 2024

    Exploring the tides of Costa Rica in October of 2024. Serene, wet. >>>

  • Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink, Leif Babin

    Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink, Leif Babin

    I read “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink, Leif Babin – and while it wasn’t the most deep or detailed self help/management/leadership thesis, I appreciated the simple, straightforward, actionable take on leadership and management. Although at first the moderately self-aggrandizing stories of military missions… >>>

  • How To Sell Your Aerospace & Defense Business – Discussion and Notes

    How To Sell Your Aerospace & Defense Business – Discussion and Notes

    Aerospace and SpaceTech startups are growing rapidly, and at some point, they become good candidates for a sale. This morning at Holland & Hart in Denver, the Colorado Space Business Roundtable hosted an interesting panel discussion on the topic. My key takeaways from the discussion: Participants: Additional notes, questions, and… >>>

  • Space Economy: Colorado’s Role As A SpaceTech Leader with Cody Moore of Caruso Ventures

    Space Economy: Colorado’s Role As A SpaceTech Leader with Cody Moore of Caruso Ventures

    This week I attended the Colorado Space Economy talk, monderated by Brad Bernthal of Silicon Flatirons. Via Denver Startup Week: “Starting with an overview of how universities, government initiatives, and public sector partnerships bolster Colorado’s position in the space economy, this session features insights from founders about the state’s emerging… >>>

  • Touring Ursa Major’s Rocket Factory with CEO Joe Laurienti

    Touring Ursa Major’s Rocket Factory with CEO Joe Laurienti

    This week, I toured Ursa Major’s headquarters in Berthoud, Colorado, guided by CEO Joe Laurienti. The visit offered insights into their cutting-edge rocket engine production, including 3D printing technologies and the impressive Ripley engine, known for its high-pressure kerosene fuel system. Discussions covered the facility’s history, rapid prototyping capabilities, and… >>>

  • Discussing the SpaceX Starship IFT4 Test Flight with Mach33 Financial Group

    Discussing the SpaceX Starship IFT4 Test Flight with Mach33 Financial Group

    This morning, Aaron Burnett and the Mach33 Financial Group team hosted an engaging live audio chat following the thrilling SpaceX Starship IFT4 test flight. We covered numerous topics, including flap heating, roll control thrusters, and increased stringers for rigidity. We discussed the experimental nature of Starship, its impacts on the… >>>

  • Supply Chain Issues and Challenges: Perspectives from Aerospace Suppliers and Purchasers – Panel Discussion Notes

    Supply Chain Issues and Challenges: Perspectives from Aerospace Suppliers and Purchasers – Panel Discussion Notes

    I recently attended the “Supply Chain Issues and Challenges: Perspectives from Aerospace Suppliers and Purchasers” panel discussion, organized and hosted by Holland & Hart, and co-sponsored by NDIA, VCFO, and CSBR. This panel provided valuable insights into the complexities and dynamic opportunities within the aerospace and defense industries. The distinguished… >>>

  • Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training

    Leading the U.S. Dept. of State International Visitor Leadership Program Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training

    Last week I led 16 international business leaders in the IVLP Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training seminar at the Posner Center for International Development. The seminar, hosted by World Denver on May 23, 2024, covered the roles of government, private enterprises, professional organizations, and universities in fostering entrepreneurship. Participants explored… >>>

  • Before getting off the ground, consider why smart real estate decisions matter in the Aerospace industry

    Before getting off the ground, consider why smart real estate decisions matter in the Aerospace industry

    Securing real estate is a critical factor for supporting operations in the aerospace and defense industry, and its importance can be examined through several key dimensions: strategic location, operational security, scalability, and long-term investment. Firstly, strategic location plays a vital role in the success of aerospace and defense companies. Real… >>>

  • Exploring New Frontiers : Building and Investing in Spacetech 

    Exploring New Frontiers : Building and Investing in Spacetech 

    The Boulder Startup Week Space Panel highlighted Boulder’s thriving aerospace ecosystem, emphasizing its advantages like access to talent, key institutions, and quality of life. Panelists discussed funding challenges, noting the scarcity of local aerospace-focused venture capital, with most funding coming from outside Colorado. They also emphasized the critical need for… >>>

  • Infographics: The 5 most popular rocket engines in use today

    Infographics: The 5 most popular rocket engines in use today

    Note – this post is part of a series of posts generated almost entirely using generative AI, including ChatGPT4, DALL·E 2, and other tools. It’s an experiment in understanding how AI tools work, while having a bit of fun. None of the information here is doublechecked for accuracy, and in… >>>

  • Spacecraft Power System Development Startup Amplified Space Pitches at Angel Capital Summit

    Spacecraft Power System Development Startup Amplified Space Pitches at Angel Capital Summit

    This week, spacecraft power system development startup Amplified Space‘s CEO Jerome Hittle pitched the company at the Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit, as part of the Rockies Space Fund Aerospace Track. I’ve been working with Jerome and the team as a mentor and coach for the last couple of… >>>

  • Rockies Space Fund Aerospace Panel Notes – Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit

    Rockies Space Fund Aerospace Panel Notes – Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit

    The blog post discusses a panel on aerospace investing at the Rockies Venture Club Angel Capital Summit, focusing on the shift towards more commercial opportunities in aerospace, despite traditional perceptions of it being government-centric. Experts highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, debunked misconceptions deterring investment, and emphasized the role of… >>>

  • Starship IFT3 Lifts Off

    Starship IFT3 Lifts Off

    SpaceX’s latest Starship test marked another significant stride, despite not meeting all objectives. The launch showcased improvements with all 33 Raptor engines maintaining function, a successful stage separation, and the booster executing a flip maneuver. However, the booster’s landing ended explosively over the Gulf of Mexico. The second stage reached… >>>

  • Visiting the Baikonur Cosmodrome with Roscosmos

    Visiting the Baikonur Cosmodrome with Roscosmos

    Thanks to management at Roscosmos for providing incredibly access to me and team to the facilities at Baikonur Cosmodrome, and for hosting us during our short stay in June, 2019. The Legacy of Baikonur Cosmodrome: Gateway to the Cosmos At the heart of human space exploration lies the Baikonur Cosmodrome,… >>>

  • The NASA Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) will be a modded Nikon Z9

    The NASA Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) will be a modded Nikon Z9

    NASA has partnered with Nikon to create the “Handheld Universal Lunar Camera” (HULC) for moon missions, based on the Nikon Z9. This mirrorless camera, with a possibly updated sensor, will withstand moon’s radiation. It’s a nod to Apollo’s Hasselblad cameras, which captured the groundbreaking lunar imagery of 1969. >>>

  • Teaching the IREX Young Leaders of the Americas VC Funding Seminar

    Teaching the IREX Young Leaders of the Americas VC Funding Seminar

    Today I served as the principal VC educator for a seminar with Blue Mesa Ventures, guiding 120 Central and South American entrepreneurs. The seminar, part of a U.S. Department of State-funded IREX fellowship, covered U.S. venture positioning, engagement strategies with VC firms, typical investor inquiries, and business differentiation. >>>

  • Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39

    Why I Fly – Ignite Denver 39

    At Ignite Denver 39, a speaker shared insights into solo flying single-engine aircraft, emphasizing unexpected reasons behind this choice. The fast-paced presentation involved a 5-minute slot, 20 automatically advancing slides, and gratitude expressed to the production team and fellow speakers. >>>

  • LG NOVA Webinar Series: Innovation 2023 – Digital Health

    LG NOVA Webinar Series: Innovation 2023 – Digital Health

    At a healthcare innovation session, experts Singh and Sabo from LG Nova Digital Health discussed challenges and opportunities in digital health, including interoperability, privacy, and infrastructure. They explored AI’s role in streamlining patient care, such as through elective surgery backlog reduction, robotic surgery, and operations management. The webinar emphasized using… >>>

  • Teaching the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop

    Teaching the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Startup Investor Pitch Workshop

    Today, I led a Startup Investor Pitch Workshop for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative alongside entrepreneurs Don Novak and Danny Effron. During a three-hour session, we coached 12 entrepreneurs from the Americas on their pitches, covering topics like storytelling, value proposition, and handling rejection. The workshop included interactive… >>>

  • Judging the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European Startup Pitches

    Judging the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program Eastern European Startup Pitches

    This week I served as a lead judge at the US State Department’s YTILI Fellowship Program Eastern European startup pitch event. I observed impressive pitches by entrepreneurs from 36 countries. The program provides intensive entrepreneurship and leadership training. Ukrainian startup Uff, led by Alona Prenkovska, won, advancing to the next… >>>

  • NextUp Ventures Demo Day – A fresh batch of SportsTech Investments…

    NextUp Ventures Demo Day – A fresh batch of SportsTech Investments…

    Thanks to NextUp Ventures for an engaging demo day, full of interesting pitches from emerging SportsTech Startups! A few topics covered on today’s demo day included: Athletic Turf technologies Sustainable football gear Off-field athelete/creator fund monitization Name & Likeness management and optimization Looking forward to more solid investments from the NextUp… >>>