Fundraising Fox

Erik Franks

Founder

Founder/CEO at Tesseract

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

FoundedTesseract · YC

About

Erik Franks has founded two startups and raised $2.3M in funding. He has managed teams of approximately 50 employees, secured 20+ NASA contracts, and overseen the shipment of 1.5M orders.

Founder/CEO at TesseractYC S17

Intro paths

YC

Erik went through Y Combinator (Summer 2017) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

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In turn, Erik can intro founders to Tesseract's investors below.

Tesseract's investors · 2

Seraphim SpaceLondon · $1.3M – $3.8M checksY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2017

Co-founders at Tesseract

JGJeff Gibson
Jeff GibsonFounder/COO
JTJake Teufert
Jake TeufertFounder/CTO

Experience

  1. CisluneCEOcurrent2020 — presentLos Angeles Metropolitan Area
  2. TesseractCEOcurrent2017 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  3. Benchmark Space SystemsDirector of Sales2020 — 2021Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
  4. Space for HumanityFinancial Consultant2020
  5. International Space University USA Alumni AssociationDirector of Information Technologies and Communications2014 — 2018
  6. Masten Space SystemsOperations Manager2015 — 2017Mojave, CA
  7. Masten Space SystemsRocket Systems Engineer2013 — 2015Mojave, CA
  8. Velocity AirplaneAirplane Builder & Test Pilot2009 — 2012
  9. Frugal Media Inc.Founder and CEO2002 — 2010Austin, Texas Area
  10. OutlookSoftProduct Management Analyst2004Austin, Texas Area

Skills & more

Economics5Human Resources3Executive Management9Programming21Software Project Management7Private Pilot20Retail Category Management1Fulfillment ManagementWarehouse Management1Reporting Systems1Version ManagementDatabase Administration1
+12 moreSalesEntrepreneurshipAerospaceAircraftEngineeringTestingProgram ManagementProject ManagementMicrosoft SQL ServerMatlabPlane BuilderAnalysis
  • CPR/First Aid — Antelope Valley College

From Erik's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Erik Franks?
Erik Franks has founded two startups and raised $2.3M in funding. He has managed teams of approximately 50 employees, secured 20+ NASA contracts, and overseen the shipment of 1.5M orders.
Where does Erik Franks work?
Erik Franks is Founder/CEO of Tesseract.
What companies did Erik Franks found?
Erik Franks founded Tesseract.
Where did Erik Franks go to school?
Erik Franks studied at International Space University (Space Resources Professional Course); Y Combinator (Summer 2017 Batch, Startup Entrepreneurship); International Space University (Master of Science (MSc), Space Studies).

Founder mafias

Y Combinator mafia8,773

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1

+ 8,766 more

Y Combinator mafia4,716

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3

+ 4,709 more

The University of Texas at Austin mafia106

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Michael DellFounded Force10Michael GortonPhysics & Engineering w minor in EnglishFounded Principal Solar +2Amar SawhneyM.S. and PhDFounded Access Closure +2Arlo GilbertPolitical ScienceFounded Osano +1Erik HuddlestonBAFounded Trendkite +1Celine HaliquaBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded Longevity Drugs for Dogs +1

+ 99 more

International Space University mafia4

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Peter DiamandisPHDFounded Fountain LifeLisa RichExecutive Space CourseFounded XploreShaun ModiAeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and TechnologyFounded Capitol AI

Masten Space Systems mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Jacob BalajSystem Integration And TestFounded Hop Aero

Same school

Also attended International Space University17

Lindsey YeePrincipal at Starbridge Venture Capital LlcPeter DiamandisPhysician, entrepreneur, and futurist inspiring leaders to think exponentially and create a future of abundanceTamryn BarkerSector Director, Mining & Nature at Founders FactoryPawel ChudzinskiPartner at Point NineTal ShaharVenture Partner at Deep InsightMarlene GrenonAdvisor at IA Seed Ventures

+ 11 more

Also attended Y Combinator2,000

Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital

+ 1,994 more

Also attended The University of Texas at Austin384

Michael DellFounder & CEO of Dell TechnologiesViswa SankaranarayananVenture Partner at Monta Vista CapitalTodd KleinManaging Partner, Revolution Growth at RevolutionSapna MehtaInvestor at RevolutionAaron LiuPrincipal at NorthzoneAnish AggarwalInvestor at Lightbank

+ 378 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Space for Humanity3

Ryan KriserPartner at Type One VenturesRyan KriserFounder & CEO at Helios CapitalChris BoshuizenPartner at DCVC (Data Collective)

Also worked at Masten Space Systems2

Michael MeallingGeneral Partner at Starbridge Venture Capital LlcJacob BalajFounder at Hop Aero