A bit about LightSpeed Innovations
The leading aerospace startup accelerator in the US
LightSpeed Innovations is a startup business accelerator focused on aerospace companies. LightSpeed offers startups access to a large network of experts, mentors, and investors. Portfolio companies go through an intensive 4-month business bootcamp. The companies are in areas ranging from rocket propulsion, asteroid mining, drone hardware, and flight intelligence to nanosatellite imagery, virtual/augmented reality, and building habitats on Mars.
As an associate partner, I was involved with sourcing, organizing, interviewing and selecting for our 4th (NewSpace focus) and 5th (Drones & NewSpace focus) cohorts. Our 2017-01 Space Cohort was in collaboration with the United States Air Force and featured 9 companies. Our latest 2017-02 Cohort features 8 companies. Besides co-teaching the accelerator curriculum, setting up events and leading the expansion of the LightSpeed Innovations brand, I mentored directly 7 of the companies, Lumenora, RedWorks, Orbital Sidekick, Koolock, 4th Law, Voyager Space, and Space Exchange coaching them through business development, market research, customer outreach and pitching efforts.
The Portfolio Segments
Leading the final 5th cohort, I have worked with 40 startups in our portfolio creating revolutionary tech ranging from propulsion technologies, drone obstacle avoidance, asteroid mining, to augmented reality glasses, nano-satellite analytics, gamified mission control software and building habitats on Mars.
Below is a list of various industry segments I have had the opportunity of learning about and a selection of portfolio companies in those categories.
The Mentors We Have Onboard
I helped grow our mentor network to over 60 professionals from industry, government, VC, military and academia. Along with our core team at LightSpeed, our mentors have helped bring the portfolio companies to where they are today. Here is a list of some of the mentors in our network that I have had a pleasure working with.
The Ecosystem We Have Built
The mission at LightSpeed is to help grow the aerospace ecosystem. Over the last 2 years, I have helped build up a large network of organizations from academia, industry, government, corporations, investors and startups. The following is a snapshot of the network as it is today.
