Leon Alkalai
InvestorCo-founder at Explorer 1 Fund
Los Angeles, California
Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M
About
Leon Alkalai co-founded Explorer 1 in 2021, where he handles sourcing, evaluating, and managing the investment portfolio. Before that he spent his career at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which he joined in 1989 after earning a PhD from UCLA, where he led programs including the New Millennium Program, the Center for Integrated Space Microsystems, and capture efforts for GRAIL and INSIGHT, and became a JPL Fellow and member of the International Academy of Astronautics. He co-founded Verrix LLC in 2014 and founded Mandala Space Ventures in 2021, and has advised startups and venture firms on space investing.
Invests in
Space Tech
Experience
- Sophia SpaceFounder, COB, CTOcurrent2025 — present
- Adranos, Inc.Investorcurrent2023 — present
- Mandala Space VenturesChief Executive Officercurrent2021 — presentLos Angeles County, California, United States
- Explorer 1 FundGeneral Partnercurrent2021 — presentLos Angeles County, California, United States
- Continuum Space SystemsInvestorcurrent2021 — presentLos Angeles County, California, United States
- VerrixCo-Founder, and Member of the Board of Directorscurrent2014 — presentSan Clemente, California, United States
- NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJPL Tech Fellow1989 — 2021Pasadena, California, United States
Education
- UCLADoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Computer Science1986 — 1989
- UCLAMaster's Degree, Computer Science1983 — 1986
- University of BelgradeEngineer's Degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering1977 — 1982
Skills & more
+6 more
Project ManagementSoftware EngineeringSystems DesignTestingStrategySatelliteLanguages English · French · Hebrew · Serbian
From Leon's professional profile.
Colleagues at Explorer 1 Fund
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Leon Alkalai work?
- Leon Alkalai is Co-founder at Explorer 1 Fund.
- What does Leon Alkalai invest in?
- Leon Alkalai invests in Space Tech.
- What check size does Leon Alkalai write?
- Leon Alkalai typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
Founder mafias
UCLA mafia123
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
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University of Belgrade mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended UCLA471
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Also attended University of Belgrade9
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Shared employers
Also worked at Sophia Space1
Also worked at Verrix1
Also worked at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory71
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