Fundraising Fox

Rick Tumlinson

InvestorFounder

Founder & CEO at SpaceFund · Founder & CEO at Spacefund

Austin, Texas

Writes $100K – $1M checks · typically $500K

FoundedSpacefund

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 & CEO at Spacefund

Intro paths

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In turn, Rick can intro founders to Spacefund's investors below.

Spacefund's investors · 1

Helios CapitalMiami · $25K – $1M checks

Co-founders at Spacefund

JBJohn Bohlmann
John BohlmannFounding GP
LM
Luke MoloneyFounding GP
JVJaime Velasco
Jaime VelascoCFO

Experience

  1. SpaceFundChair of the Board of Directors/Senior Managing Partnercurrent2026 — presentAustin, Texas, United States
  2. Self-employedAuthorcurrent2025 — presentAustin, Texas, United States
  3. iRoc Space RadioRadio-podcast Hostcurrent2022 — present
  4. New Worlds - Space Cowboy BallFounder2015 — 2026Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
  5. EarthLight FoundationFounder2012 — 2026Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
  6. EarthLight FoundationFounder2011 — 2026
  7. Space Frontier FoundationCo-Founder1988 — 2026
  8. Space Frontier FoundationFounder1988 — 2026
  9. SpaceFundFounder2018 — 2024Houston, Texas Area
  10. Deep Space IndustriesChairman of the Board and Co Founder2012 — 2017
  11. Texas Space AllianceCofounder2010 — 2013Texas
  12. FINDS (the Foundation for the International Non-governmental Development of SpaceCo-Founder/Executive Director1996 — 2002Los Angeles
  13. XPRIZEFounding Board Member1994 — 1995
  14. International Space UniversityMedia Production1987 — 1993
  15. SyFy ChannelConsultant1992
  16. Space Studies InstituteMedia Director1985 — 1990
  17. L-5 of New York CityFounder1985 — 1990New York City Metropolitan Area

Education

  1. Lakenheath HS, Lakenheath, England
  2. Stephen F. Austin State University
  3. Lakenheath, England1972 — 1974
  4. Stephen F. Austin State University
  5. Lakenheath High School
  6. Lakenheath H.S.

Skills & more

Business Ownership3Investments1Space Technology1Podcasting1Radio Presenting1Talk Radio1Live Radio1Space1Creative Writer39Engaging Public Speaker57Technical Writing99Speech Writing88
+12 moreStrategic LeadershipArt DirectionMarketing CommunicationsDirectingMedia ProductionFilmStart-up VenturesExecutive DevelopmentMotivational SpeakingPublished AuthorEngaging SpeakerStrategic Planning

From Rick's professional profile.

Colleagues at SpaceFund

Andrew Granatstein
Principal at SpaceFund
David A. Johnston
Advisor at AlphaPoint
Jaime Velasco
CFO at SpaceFund
James Mertz
Managing Partner at SpaceFund
John Bohlmann
Founding GP at SpaceFund
Luke Moloney
Founding GP at SpaceFund
Meagan Crawford
Founder and Managing Partner at SpaceFund

Network2

Andrew Granatstein
Principal at SpaceFund
David A. Johnston
Advisor at AlphaPoint

Investors connected to Rick in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Rick Tumlinson work?
Rick Tumlinson is 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 Spacefund.

Founder mafias

Deep Space Industries mafia3

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

John BohlmannTechnical Lead / Computer ScientistFounded Spacefund +1Meagan CrawfordChief Operating OfficerFounded Karman Line

SpaceFund mafia3

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

John BohlmannFounding GPFounded Spacefund +1Meagan CrawfordVenture PartnerFounded Karman Line

Lakenheath High School mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Colin McDonnellFounded Brick Health

Spacefund mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

John BohlmannFounding GPFounded CallidusAI

Same school

Also attended Stephen F. Austin State University3

Whitney WilliamsPartner and CFO at M3 VenturesJoshua TaylorVenture Partner at South Loop VenturesAustin CadeChief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at Princeton

Also attended Lakenheath High School2

Gregory BillingtonResearch at Transform Capital ManagementColin McDonnellFounder at Brick Health

Shared employers

Also worked at SpaceFund5

David A. JohnstonAdvisor at AlphaPointMeagan CrawfordFounder and Managing Partner at SpaceFundAndrew GranatsteinPrincipal at SpaceFundJohn BohlmannFounding GP at SpaceFundJaime VelascoCFO at SpaceFund

Also worked at Deep Space Industries3

Petr Johanes, PhDAdvisor at Sybilla MastersMeagan CrawfordFounder and Managing Partner at SpaceFundJohn BohlmannFounding GP at SpaceFund

Also worked at XPRIZE20

Dr. Michael NayakAdvisor at Industrious VenturesPeter 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 VenturesDave BlundinManaging Partner at Link Ventures

+ 14 more

Also worked at International Space University6

Peter DiamandisPhysician, entrepreneur, and futurist inspiring leaders to think exponentially and create a future of abundanceMorgan BorerHead of Marketing and Communications at Forma PrimeHarvin MooreDirector at Texas VenturesMarlene GrenonAdvisor at IA Seed VenturesRishi KhanProduct Lead at FuturesightRaphael RoettgenFounder and Managing Partner at E2MC Ventures