Rick Tumlinson
InvestorFounderFounder & CEO at SpaceFund · Founder at Deep Space Industries · Founder & CEO at Spacefund
Austin, Texas
Writes $100K – $1M checks · typically $500K
Find your path to Rick
57 people in our graph share verified history with Rick — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Michael MeallingunlockedRick: together at Space Frontier Foundation (2023–2026)
Rick: together at Space Frontier Foundation
×3Rick: together at International Space University
×6Rick: together at XPRIZE
About
Widely regarded as a pioneer of the commercial space movement and a co-founder of XPRIZE, Rick Tumlinson has testified before the U.S. Congress six times and has helped drive the shift from government-only space exploration toward a more entrepreneurial, commercially driven approach.
Founder at Deep Space Industries
Founder & CEO at Spacefund
Intro paths
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In turn, Rick can intro founders to Spacefund's investors below.
Spacefund's investors · 1
Co-founders at Spacefund
JB
John BohlmannFounding GP
LM
Luke MoloneyFounding GP
Experience
- SpaceFundChair of the Board of Directors/Senior Managing Partnercurrent2026 — presentAustin, Texas, United States
- Self-employedAuthorcurrent2025 — presentAustin, Texas, United States
- iRoc Space RadioRadio-podcast Hostcurrent2022 — present
- New Worlds - Space Cowboy BallFounder2015 — 2026Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- EarthLight FoundationFounder2012 — 2026Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- EarthLight FoundationFounder2011 — 2026
- Space Frontier FoundationCo-Founder1988 — 2026
- Space Frontier FoundationFounder1988 — 2026
- SpaceFundFounder2018 — 2024Houston, Texas Area
- Deep Space IndustriesChairman of the Board and Co Founder2012 — 2017
- Texas Space AllianceCofounder2010 — 2013Texas
- FINDS (the Foundation for the International Non-governmental Development of SpaceCo-Founder/Executive Director1996 — 2002Los Angeles
- XPRIZEFounding Board Member1994 — 1995
- International Space UniversityMedia Production1987 — 1993
- SyFy ChannelConsultant1992
- Space Studies InstituteMedia Director1985 — 1990
- L-5 of New York CityFounder1985 — 1990New York City Metropolitan Area
Skills & more
Business Ownership3Investments1Space Technology1Podcasting1Radio Presenting1Talk Radio1Live Radio1Space1Creative Writer39Engaging Public Speaker57Technical Writing99Speech Writing88
+12 more
Strategic LeadershipArt DirectionMarketing CommunicationsDirectingMedia ProductionFilmStart-up VenturesExecutive DevelopmentMotivational SpeakingPublished AuthorEngaging SpeakerStrategic PlanningFrom Rick's professional profile.
Colleagues at SpaceFund
Network1
Investors connected to Rick in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Rick Tumlinson?
- Widely regarded as a pioneer of the commercial space movement and a co-founder of XPRIZE, Rick Tumlinson has testified before the U.S. Congress six times and has helped drive the shift from government-only space exploration toward a more entrepreneurial, commercially driven approach.
- Where does Rick Tumlinson work?
- Rick Tumlinson is Founder of Deep Space Industries and Founder & CEO at SpaceFund and Founder & CEO at Spacefund.
- What check size does Rick Tumlinson write?
- Rick Tumlinson typically writes checks of $100K – $1M.
- What companies did Rick Tumlinson found?
- Rick Tumlinson founded Deep Space Industries, Spacefund.
- Where did Rick Tumlinson go to school?
- Rick Tumlinson studied at Lakenheath HS, Lakenheath, England; Stephen F. Austin State University; Lakenheath, England.
Founder mafias
SpaceFund mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Stephen F. Austin State University mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Deep Space Industries mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Lakenheath High School mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Spacefund mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Stephen F. Austin State University7
Whitney WilliamsPartner and CFO at M3 VenturesCaitlinCenter of Excellence Partner, Human Capital, Growth Buyout at Frazier Healthcare PartnersBrenna TownleyExecutive Assistant at FrontenacJoshua TaylorVenture Partner at South Loop VenturesAustin CadeChief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at PrincetonClint McReeCo-founder & Chief Strategy Officer at SourceDay
+ 1 more
Also attended Lakenheath High School1
Shared employers
Also worked at SpaceFund5
Also worked at Deep Space Industries7
Petr Johanes, PhDAdvisor at Sybilla MastersMeagan CrawfordFounder and Managing Partner at SpaceFundJohn BohlmannFounding GP at SpaceFundDaniel FaberCo-Founder at Orbit FabJeremy SchielExecutive Officer, Director at Orbit FabEric IngramDirector, Promoter at Scout Space
+ 1 more
Also worked at XPRIZE28
Dr. Michael NayakAdvisor at Industrious VenturesSergey YoungCo-Founder at BOLD LongevityPeter DiamandisPhysician, entrepreneur, and futurist inspiring leaders to think exponentially and create a future of abundanceAaron FykeFounder and Managing Partner at Thin Line CapitalJohn GedmarkAdvisor at Commonweal VenturesRyan BethencourtManaging Partner at Sustainable Food Ventures
+ 22 more
Also worked at International Space University11
Peter DiamandisPhysician, entrepreneur, and futurist inspiring leaders to think exponentially and create a future of abundanceMorgan BorerHead of Marketing and Communications at Forma PrimeJustyna RedelkiewiczVenture Partner at DEPO VenturesHarvin MooreDirector at Texas VenturesMarlene GrenonAdvisor at IA Seed VenturesRishi KhanProduct Lead at Futuresight
+ 5 more