Space Tech: Expanding the Intelligent Frontier
Spacetech: The New Aerospace Economy — Launch, Satellites & Advanced Air Mobility
Aerospace is one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial frontiers of our time. From reusable launch vehicles and LEO satellite constellations to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and AI-enabled airspace operations, the space and advanced air mobility sectors are attracting record investment, spawning new business models, and creating many entrepreneurial opportunities across the world.
This track brings together senior leaders from across the commercial space and advanced aviation ecosystem—founders, operators, investors, and technology pioneers—to examine the commercial, technological, and entrepreneurial dimensions of the new Aerospace economy.
Sessions:
1. Welcome & Opening Remarks
An opening session with a focused investment and entrepreneurship lens, examining why the timing is now uniquely right for space tech, where the most compelling forward-looking opportunities lie across launch, satellites, orbital platforms, and advanced air mobility, and how AI is emerging as an accelerant across the entire space and aviation stack.
Speaker:
Raj Pai (Paiconic Capital Founder, Former NASA CTO)
2. Keynote
A senior industry leader and pioneer who has navigated both the startup and commercial dimensions of the Aviation economy shares firsthand perspectives on how Autonomy, AI, private capital, and public-private partnerships are unlocking a new era of flight.
Speaker:
Fred Reid (Former President, Wisk Aero)
3. Panel Discussion: “Building the New Space Economy—Launch, Satellites, Orbital Platforms & the Future of Flight”
Leaders from commercial space and frontier technology investing come together for a wide-ranging discussion on how the space and aviation ecosystems are being built for scale.
It covers:
• Economics of reusable launch and the proliferation of LEO satellite constellations
• The rise of in-space services, orbital platforms, and in-space manufacturing
• Convergence of AI with next-generation airspace operations and autonomous flight
• eVTOL certification, urban air corridors, and the future of advanced air mobility
• Where entrepreneurs can create differentiated value and how capital is flowing into these sectors
Speakers:
Michael Reilly (Chief Strategy Officer, Varda Space)
Chiranjeevi Phanindra Banala (CEO, Cosmoserve Space)
Lewis Jones (Seraphim VC) - Moderator
4. Audience Q&A & Closing
Open discussion on emerging opportunities in commercial space and aviation, the intersection with AI and autonomy, investment trends, and how entrepreneurs can find their entry point into these frontier industries.
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Fri, 05/01/2026
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10:30 AM – 12:00 PM