Explorer 1 Fund
Venture capitalVenice · Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked
Investment thesis
Explorer 1 Fund invests across all verticals of the emerging space economy. The team combines significant expertise from aerospace and defense organizations with experience in early-stage venture capital and institutional equities investing.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 6, 2026.
Team · 4 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 6 of 10 portfolio companiesSpace Tech ×6Deep Tech ×4Hardware ×4Advanced Manufacturing ×1Biotech ×1Defense Tech ×1Robotics ×1
HQs:United States×7
Investments · 10 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathMchenry, US
Archibald Cox(Director)Ganson Evans(Director)Brandon C. Terry(Executive Officer, Director)Christopher D. Stoker(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsSica Ventures
Co-investorsDorm RoomFine Structures VenturesFlybridge Capital Partners
Lunar Outpost builds robotic infrastructure, lunar rovers, and space resource systems to support human exploration and commerce on the Moon and other planetary bodies.
Deep TechHardwareRoboticsSpace TechGolden, US
Andrew Gemer(Executive Officer)Forrest Meyen(Co-Founder & CSO)Julian Cyrus(Co-Founder & COO)Justin Cyrus(Founder & CEO)AJ Gemer(Co-Founder & CTO)
BoardDaniel Kleinmann(Director)in
Co-investorsAurelia FoundryBalerion Space VenturesBeyond Earth VenturesEniac VenturesIndustrious VenturesSpace Capital+3 more
Lynk Global provides direct-to-device satellite connectivity to mobile phones without requiring ground infrastructure.
Space Tech
Tyghe Speidel(Co-Founder and CTO)in
Co-investorsBalerion Space VenturesBlazar Ventures, LLCFlucas VenturesOne Way VenturesStarbridge Venture Capital LlcTime Zero Capital+3 more
Varda industrializes low Earth orbit by manufacturing pharmaceuticals and other specialized products in space, then returning them to Earth via reusable reentry capsules.
BiotechDeep TechSpace TechEl Segundo, US
Will Bruey(Founder)inDelian Asparouhov(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlso CapitalCaffeinated CapitalFounders FundKhosla VenturesLux CapitalGeneral Catalyst+25 more
Radian Aerospace is developing fully reusable spaceflight vehicles, including Radian One, a single-stage-to-orbit mission platform for routine access to Low Earth Orbit, and R3V, a reusable reentry capsule for hypersonic testing and rocket cargo.
Deep TechHardwareSpace TechRenton, US
Curtis Gifford(Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, & Co-Founder)inRichard Humphrey(Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder)inLivingston Holder(Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder)inJeff Feige(Chief Revenue Officer & Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsAdvection Growth CapitalBalerion Space VenturesEvolution VC PartnersFine Structures VenturesHCVCHelios Capital+4 more
Co-investorsBase Venture Management, Inc.Gamegroove CapitalInvariantes FundRepublic Capital (ex Republic Labs)E2MC Ventures
Stoke Space develops fully reusable rockets for space transportation and mobility services.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSpace TechSeattle, US
Andy Lapsa(Founder)inTom Feldman(Founder)inKelly Hennig(Executive Officer)
BoardChristian Garcia(Director)inPhil Harris(Director)inMorgan Beller(Director)in
Co-investorsAcequia Capital (AceCap)Aurelia FoundryBalerion Space VenturesBeyond CapitalBeyond Earth VenturesCross Culture Ventures+27 more
Ursa Major develops flight-proven aerospace and defense systems, including hypersonic engines, solid rocket motors, and space mobility solutions for military and defense applications.
Defense TechHardwareSpace TechBerthoud, US
Joe Laurienti(Founder)Dan Jablonsky(CEO)
Co-investorsAlpha EdisonAtento CapitalBalerion Space VenturesBrave CapitalEclipse VenturesHarpoon Ventures+4 more
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLunar Outpost · payloadspace.com · Jul 24, 2026
Ursa Major · finance.yahoo.com · Jul 15, 2026
Stoke Space · techcrunch.com · Jul 8, 2026
Lynk · tech.eu · Dec 11, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Explorer 1 Fund invest at?
- Explorer 1 Fund invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Explorer 1 Fund focus on?
- Explorer 1 Fund focuses on Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Hardware, Mobility & Transportation, Space Tech.
- Where is Explorer 1 Fund located?
- Explorer 1 Fund is headquartered in Venice, US.
- Does Explorer 1 Fund lead rounds?
- Explorer 1 Fund typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channelExplorer 1 Presents: Space 2021 Year End Review
Explorer 1 Fund
Explorer 1 Presents: Russian ASAT Missile Test Explanation
Explorer 1 Fund
Explorer 1 Presents: IAC 2021 Space Recap
Explorer 1 Fund
Explorer 1 Presents Space Debris
Explorer 1 Fund
Similar investors
A globally recognized venture capital firm designed to provide access to highly competitive venture deals to individual investors, consistently recognized for top-decile DPI performance and as one of the most active US venture firms.
Omnes Capital is a European private equity and infrastructure investment firm focused on the energy transition, digital infrastructure, venture capital and growth, and co-investment. Its Capenergie funds manage 4.4 billion euros dedicated to renewable energy.
Karista is a French venture capital firm that invests in tech and early-stage companies, frequently leading funding rounds and supporting founders through strategic guidance and board involvement.
Monte Carlo Capital is an early-stage investment firm founded by Ian Sosso that began as an angel investor deploying its own capital and evolved into a value-added co-investor backing early-stage companies alongside leading VCs.
Quad Ventures is a Korean venture capital firm that identifies founders driving lifestyle and industry change and invests in the technologies enabling them, backing early-stage startups across advanced technology sectors.