đ°ïžđ„ Apex Space and LA's Role in the Current Space Tech Boom
Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.
đŠ Spotlight
Mark Suster from Santa Monica-based Upfront Ventures recently interviewed the CEO and co-founder of LA-based Apex, Ian Cinnamon. The conversation shed light on Apex, a standout player in the Los Angeles space tech scene. Apex specializes in manufacturing satellite buses for space missions.
The discussion touched on the expanding space tech industry, emphasizing its increasing allure to investors and entrepreneurs. Los Angeles emerged as a focal point in this narrative, with its rich ecosystem of talent and resources playing a pivotal role. Cinnamon goes on to cite its concentration of top-notch universities, such as UCLA, Caltech and USC, as well as renowned institutions like SpaceX and JPL. This clustering 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.
Moreover, the conversation underscored the transformative impact of companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab, both based in Los Angeles, in reshaping the space industry's cost dynamics. The reduction in launch costs and increased launch frequency have significantly lowered barriers to entry, enabling startups like Apex to achieve remarkable feats in a fraction of the time and budget previously estimated. Cinnamon's account of launching a satellite within 12 months and under $10 million, compared to the historical norms of three years and $50 million, epitomizes the disruptive potential of these advancements, with Los Angeles serving as a fertile ground for such innovation.
Looking ahead, the dialogue explored the future prospects of space exploration, including ventures like lunar orbits and asteroid mining. Los Angeles, with its vibrant tech scene and burgeoning interest in hard tech and space endeavors, is poised to play a pivotal role in these future ventures. With companies like Apex at the helm, Los Angeles is positioned to continue driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of space technology.
Check out the full interview here.
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Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.
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