Fundraising Fox
Leon Alkalai
InvestorFounderGeneral Partner at Explorer 1 Fund · Founder at Mandala Space Ventures
Los Angeles, California
Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M
FoundedMandala Space Ventures
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Ask Phil Scully to introduce you to Leon
You →Phil · together at Explorer 1 Fund (2021–2026) →Leon
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You →Jamie · together at Explorer 1 Fund →Leon
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You →Sam · together at Verrix →Leon
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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
Founder at Mandala Space Ventures
Intro paths
In turn, Leon can intro founders to Mandala Space Ventures's investors below.
Mandala Space Ventures's investors · 1
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
Skills & more
+6 more
Project ManagementSoftware EngineeringSystems DesignTestingStrategySatelliteLanguages English · French · Hebrew · Serbian
From Leon's professional profile.
Investments
Investor
Continuum Space Systems
Per curated public sources.
Colleagues at Explorer 1 Fund
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Leon Alkalai?
- 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.
- Where does Leon Alkalai work?
- Leon Alkalai is Founder of Mandala Space Ventures and General Partner 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.
- What companies did Leon Alkalai found?
- Leon Alkalai founded Mandala Space Ventures.
- What companies has Leon Alkalai invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Continuum Space Systems.
- Where did Leon Alkalai go to school?
- Leon Alkalai studied at UCLA (Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Computer Science); UCLA (Master's Degree, Computer Science); University of Belgrade (Engineer's Degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering).
Founder mafias
UCLA mafia448
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
University of Belgrade mafia11
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Explorer 1 Fund mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended UCLA1,020
+ 1,014 more
Also attended University of Belgrade24
+ 18 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Sophia Space2
Also worked at Mandala Space Ventures1
Also worked at Verrix1
Also worked at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory119
+ 113 more