Venture Capital in the Wild West

Peter

So, folks, have you heard about the Rockies Space Fund? It's like, the first venture capital fund in Colorado dedicated to aerospace startups. I mean, Colorado already has the second-largest aerospace economy in the U.S., but they decided, 'Why not make it even bigger by investing in rocket ships and space tourism?'

Peter

And get this, they're not just investing in rockets. They're looking at everything from geospatial intelligence to interplanetary propulsion. It's like, 'Hey, we'll fund anything that can get off the ground, or at least tell us where things are on the ground.'

Peter

Audience, I have a question for you. How many of you have ever invested in a space startup? Oh, just a few hands. Well, if you're thinking about it, let me tell you, it's like investing in a sci-fi movie, but with a chance of actually making money. Or losing it all. Cheers to the future, right?

Peter

Now, Colorado is already a hub for the aerospace industry. We've got companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and even Blue Origin. But you know what they say, 'If you want to go to space, you need to start in Colorado.' It's like the Wild West, but with rockets.

Peter

And it's not just about the big names. There are tons of startups working on everything from satellite imagery to space debris tracking. It's like a high-tech gold rush, but instead of panning for gold, they're panning for silicon and titanium.

Peter

Audience, let me ask you, who here has ever looked at a satellite image on Google Maps and thought, 'Man, I wish I could invest in the company that made this?' Well, now you can! Just remember, if you see a UFO, it might just be a start-up testing a new satellite.

Peter

So, the Rockies Space Fund is all about high growth potential and, let's be honest, high risk. They're aiming for companies that can return ten times or more. It's like playing the lottery, but with a business plan.

Peter

But you know what they say, 'High risk, high reward.' Or as I like to say, 'High risk, high chance of blowing up.' But hey, if it works, you could be the one who funded the next SpaceX or Blue Origin.

Peter

Audience, have any of you ever taken a big risk and it paid off? Oh, a few hands. Well, this is like that, but with a lot more rocket fuel and a lot less certainty. But isn't that what makes life exciting?

Peter

Let's talk about the different segments of the aerospace industry. We've got terrestrial space tech, like geospatial intelligence and satellite communications. It's like, 'Hey, we can see what you're doing from space, and we can talk to you about it, too.'

Peter

And then there's orbital space tech, like satellites and mission control. It's like, 'We can put things in orbit and control them from the ground.' And don't forget exploratory space tech, where we're trying to figure out how to live and travel in space. It's like, 'We're going to Mars, and we're bringing snacks.'

Peter

Audience, if you had to choose, which segment would you invest in? Terrestrial, orbital, or exploratory? Oh, a mix? Well, that's the beauty of diversification, but if I had to choose, I'd go with exploratory. Because, you know, snacks.

Peter

Now, let's talk about the management team. We've got Peter Adams, Kevin Kudra, and Kevin Strait. These guys are like the A-Team of aerospace investing. They've got the experience, the network, and the know-how to make this fund a success. Or at least, they look good on paper.

Peter

Peter Adams is a career angel investor and venture capital educator. He's written a book on venture capital, and he's taught hundreds of hours on the subject. It's like, 'If you can't teach it, you can't do it,' but he can do both.

Peter

Kevin Kudra is the Executive Director of Rockies Venture Club and a Board Member at the Angel Capital Association. He's like the networker of the group, always connecting the dots and finding the best deals. And Kevin Strait is an engineer-turned-attorney focused on the aerospace industry. It's like, 'He can build it, and he can defend it.'

Peter

Audience, have any of you ever worked with a team that was so good, you felt like you could conquer the world? Well, that's how I feel about these guys. They've got the skills, but they also have the humor to keep things light. Right, Kevin?

Kevin

Absolutely, Peter. We're here to make a difference, but we also know how to have a good time. After all, if you can't laugh at the challenges, you might as well give up.