🔦 Spotlight
Mark Suster of Santa Monica-based Upfront Ventures recently interviewed Ian Cinnamon, CEO and co-founder of Los Angeles-based Apex. The conversation shed light on Apex, a standout in the Los Angeles space tech world that specializes in building satellite buses for space missions.
The discussion touched on the expanding space tech industry, highlighting how it is becoming increasingly attractive to investors and entrepreneurs. Los Angeles has emerged as a central location in this story, with its rich ecosystem of talent and resources playing a key role. Cinnamon further cited the city’s concentration of top universities such as UCLA, Caltech and USC, as well as renowned institutions such as SpaceX and JPL. This concentration of expertise and innovation has propelled Los Angeles to the forefront of the space tech revolution, fostering a dynamic environment for companies like Apex to thrive.
Additionally, the conversation highlighted the impact that Los Angeles-based companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab have had in reshaping the cost structure of the space industry. Reduced launch costs and increased launch frequency have significantly lowered the barrier to entry, allowing startups like Apex to achieve incredible results in a fraction of the time and budget previously estimated. Cinnamon said satellite launches are happening in under 12 months for under $10 million compared to the traditional benchmark of three years and $50 million, emblematic of the disruptive potential of these advancements. Los Angeles has been fertile ground for such innovation.
Looking to the future, the conversation explored the future prospects of space exploration, including ventures like lunar orbit and asteroid mining. With a vibrant tech scene and growing interest in hard technology and space endeavors, Los Angeles is poised to play a pivotal role in these future endeavors. With companies like Apex leading the way, Los Angeles is poised to continue to drive innovation and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the field of space technology.
Read the full interview here.
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