Learn about establishing and scaling a Space Start-Up
To celebrate World Space Week 2023 Aerospace Auckland held a free special event focused on entrepreneurship
Starting a space business can test the best of us but the rewards can be highly satisfying. Come and hear from our expert panellist of entrepreneurs on what drives them and how they are pursuing opportunities in the space arena. Our speakers will share insights from their space journey including both the successes and challenges and importantly highlight their plans for the future.
Meet the panel
Dr. Malcolm Snowdon, Founder and CEO, Argo Navis Aerospace
Malcolm has been a pioneer in New Zealand's aerospace sector. He completed his PhD at the University of Canterbury, designing world leading control algorithms and New Zealand's first guided rockets. Malcolm was an early employee of Rocket Lab, and developed the navigation system for the Electron launch vehicle. In 2019, he founded Argo Navis Aerospace to fill the gap in the commercial propulsion market. Here he has been developing liquid rocket engines which are not only high performance but also commercially viable for the global space launch industry. Outside of work, Malcolm is involved in precision target shooting and high performance skiff sailing, where he is an 8 time national champion.
Dr. Nicholas Borroz, Senior Operational Policy Advisor, New Zealand Space Agency
Nick Borroz is a Senior Operational Policy Advisor with the New Zealand Space Agency. He will be sharing personal thoughts about the topic at hand and will not be discussing details of his work. His views should not be construed to be those of the New Zealand Space Agency.
Angus Blair, Partner, Outset Ventures
Angus is a Partner at Outset Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on deep technology that operates the 5,000 sq meter facility that birthed Rocket Lab and LanzaTech. Angus collaborates closely with Peter Beck and other entrepreneurs in shaping New Zealand's aerospace and broader deep technology sector sector through funding, facilities and support. Having originated and led dozens of investments; he now sits on the board of Astrix Astronautics, Open Star, Red Phase Technologies, and Wellumio.
Pavel Kalinin, CTO, OutThere Astronautics
Kathryn de Ridder, Portfolio Investment Manager, Bridgewest Ventures
Matthew Prance, Engineering Student, University of Auckland
The panel was moderated by Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom, Co-Founder and CEO, SpaceBase
Emeline is Co-Founder and CEO of SpaceBase based in New Zealand. Emeline is also part of the Ceres Robotics team and a Co-Founder of International Space Consultants. She is an Institute of Space Commerce Fellow and is a member of the Associate Editorial Board for the New Space Journal.
Emeline has a BS and MS degrees in Physics and Earth and Space Science. She is an alumni of the International Space University. She has worked for space startups including Space Adventures, Odyssey Moon, Moon Express and Orbital Astronautics. Emeline is co-author of the book “Realizing Tomorrow: The Path to Private Space Flight”.