Meet the SpaceFund Team
SpaceFund is a renaissance team of leaders in the space and financial worlds, who have come together to build something new. The SpaceFund team includes the founders of some of the most influential and successful companies, groups, and projects in the space and finance industries. Our advisors and partners buttress our foundation and leverage our capabilities. This is the right team to find, finance, and build the startups that will change the future. And more than that, we have the tools, the resources, the network, and the experience to guide those companies to profitable exits.
Rick Tumlinson
Co-Founder, Board Chairman
A “godfather” of the Space Revolution who literally coined the term “NewSpace,” Rick spent 35+ years defining the philosophy and legislative core of commercial space. A six time Congressional witness, he led the private takeover of Russia’s Mir space station, sold the first private astronaut ticket, was a founding board member of the XPrize, and co-founded several space companies and organizations.
Meagan Crawford
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
An entrepreneur, business educator, space industry pioneer, experienced executive, and investor, Meagan co-founded the world’s longest running space business plan competition, and has taught, coached, and advised hundreds of space startups through their earliest stages – including some of the current generation of successful companies. A leading advocate for women in space, she is also the host of the “Mission Eve” podcast.
Leo Womack
Board Member, Investment Committee Chair
30+ years of traditional investment expertise, co-founder of the Houston Angel Network, CEO and founder of Ramsey Financial Group, a single family office, managing a diverse investment portfolio of public and private companies from real estate, oil/gas, medical devices, agriculture, and other industries.
Dan Schatzman
Board Member, Treasurer
Global, Fortune 500 executive. Founder of several successful companies, and veteran space investor. He is an expert in corporate turnarounds, and a seasoned and pragmatic manager and consultant, known for his level head and financial expertise.
Jaime Velasco
CFO
International finance expert, Former divisional CFO for Bank Santander (a 70,000+ employee international organization). Experience in start ups and companies ranging from $5 million in revenue to Fortune 100 corporations. Led several startups from fundraising to successful exits.
Andrew Granatstein
Principal
Space investor and startup mentor; 3+ years at SpaceFund evaluating the growing commercial space ecosystem. 5+ years of experience outside of the space industry working in analytical and financial roles for software and internet technology companies. Consultant for environmental- and space-focused technical and financial projects.
SpaceFund Advisors
Dylan Taylor
Industry & Strategy Advisor
Global business leader, philanthropist, top space investor, active pioneer in the space exploration industry as a CEO, thought leader and futurist. He is Chairman & CEO of Voyager Space Holdings, a multi-national space holding firm that acquires and integrates leading space exploration enterprises globally.
Rahul Pande
Investment Advisor
15 years of buy & sell side experience with Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank and two multibillion dollar New York based hedge funds. Ran the esoteric ABS desk for Tilden Park Capital, focused on structured credit, distressed debt and special situations in the US and internationally.
E. David Ellington
Investment Advisor
Founder & GP of Emory Capital Group. Former Trustee of the $18B San Francisco Retirement Board. Founder of Silicon Valley Blockchain Society. Lawyer, entreprenuer, investor.
Dustin Boyer
Technical & DOD Advisor
Commercialization Manager and Strategic Analysis in support of DARPA’s SBIR/STTR Programs. Director, Zukin Partners, Techstars Entrepreneur in Residence, investor with more than 12 years experience working with high tech and space companies.
Shawn Usman
Technical & IC Advisor
Astrophysicist with over a decade of federal service in developing high-risk/high-reward R&D efforts to support U.S. intelligence Community (IC) reconnaissance operations. Founder of Rhea Space Activity.
Dr. James Logan
Health & BioMedical Advisor
20 years as NASA Chief of Flight Medicine and Medical Operations. Mission Control Surgeon, Deputy Crew Surgeon or Crew Surgeon for 25 space shuttle missions. Founding Board American Telemedicine Association, Co-Founder of the Space Enterprise Institute.
Dr. John Mankins
Technical & NASA Advisor
Former head of NASA’s Exploration Systems Research and Technology Division. Creator of today’s aerospace global standard TRL System (Technology Readiness Level).
Ivan Rosenberg
Management Advisor
Managing Partner Invista Inc. Co-Founder of The Aerospace & Defense Forum. Founder of Uniquely Abled Project. 30+ years experience in executive management and organizational excellence
Ethan Pierse
Advisor
Founder of Borderless Ventures, Former Managing Partner, Nest Venture Capital, Director at The CryptoAssets Institute in Paris, France. Serial entrepreneur in digital and ecommerce in US and Western Europe.