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Rob Desborough

Investor

Managing Partner & CEO (Seraphim Space Camp) at Seraphim Space

London, England, United Kingdom

Writes $250K – $25M checks

Find your path to Rob

327 people in our graph share verified history with Rob — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Paul McNabbunlockedRob: together at Opteran (2020–2026)
Rob: together at Voyager Space
×3Rob: together at University of Strathclyde
×3Rob: together at Xona Space Systems

About

Rob Desborough is a densely networked spacetech investor who backs 70+ startups, tracks 800+ companies, runs a 600+‑hour accelerator helping technical PhD founders translate expertise, and holds multiple leadership roles.

Contact· published on Rob's own website

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningClimate TechDeep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace Tech

Experience

  1. Seraphim SpaceGeneral Partner/Managing Partnercurrent2019 — present
  2. Seraphim SpaceSeraphim Space Accelerator - Co-Founder & Chair2017 — 2019London, United Kingdom
  3. Seraphim SpaceInvestment Director2016 — 2019London, United Kingdom
  4. Generation SpaceGeneral/Managing Partnercurrent2022 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  5. Seraphim Space AcceleratorChaircurrent2017 — presentLondon, San Francisco, Singapore
  6. Xona Space SystemsDirector Board Of Directorscurrent2020 — present
  7. QuadSATBoard Directorcurrent2020 — present
  8. LambdaVision, Inc.Board Observercurrent2025 — presentNew Haven, CT
  9. Auriga SpaceInvestorcurrent2023 — present
  10. Voyager SpaceInvestorcurrent2022 — present
  11. Array Labs (YC S22)Investorcurrent2022 — presentSan Mateo County, California, United States
  12. constellrInvestorcurrent2022 — present
  13. Ubotica TechnologiesInvestorcurrent2022 — present
  14. OpteranVC Investorcurrent2020 — present
  15. Nu QuantumInvestor Observercurrent2020 — present
  16. Altitude AngelBoard Observercurrent2020 — present
  17. SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for TechnologySteering Board2021 — 2023
  18. Capital EnterpriseNon Executive Director2018 — 2021London, United Kingdom
  19. JustInvestingCommercial & Investment Director - Co-Founder2013 — 2016London, United Kingdom
  20. The Capital FundInvestment Director2012 — 2013London
  21. YFM Equity PartnersInvestment Director2010 — 2013London, United Kingdom
  22. London Seed CapitalInvestment Director2006 — 2013
  23. London Business AngelsInvestment Director2008 — 2010London
  24. London Seed Capital & London Business AngelsInvestment Manager2006 — 2007
  25. University of Ulster (UK) - UUTechMarket Analyst2004 — 2006

Skills & more

Private Equity33Venture Capital54Angel Investing14Entrepreneurship16Business Strategy12Equities4Investments11Growth Capital2Corporate Finance3Corporate Development4Mergers & Acquisitions7Start-ups24
+12 moreFundingDue DiligencePortfolio ManagementEmerging MarketsRestructuringValuationStructured FinanceVenture FinancingStrategyAsset ManagementInvestor RelationsFinancial Structuring
  • Investment Management Certificate Part 1 (CFA Level 4) — CFA Institute

From Rob's professional profile.

Deals · 1

Xona Space SystemsBoard seat

via Seraphim Space · filed May 2024 · $30.7M raise

press ↗

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Other disclosed investments

Investor

AADYAH AerospaceAIRMOAnsuR Technologies ASCisLunar IndustriesCyStellarDeep PlanetEntopyKurs OrbitalLambdaVisionODIN SpaceOpteranUboticaXONA

Sources: SEC Form D filings · curated public sources.

Colleagues at Seraphim Space

Aida Khalil
Programme Associate at Seraphim Space
Alessandro Braglia
Accelerator Programme Manager at Seraphim Space
Alexander Holt
Managing Director of Seraphim Space Enterprise at Seraphim Space
Andre Ronsoehr
Investment Partner at Seraphim Space
Andrea Seabrook
Executive Assistant at Seraphim Space
Ann Winblad
Partner Emeritus, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners at Aspenwood
Arndt Geiwitz
Operating Partner at Seraphim Space
Bob Wigley
Partner at Seraphim Space

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rob Desborough?
Rob Desborough is a densely networked spacetech investor who backs 70+ startups, tracks 800+ companies, runs a 600+‑hour accelerator helping technical PhD founders translate expertise, and holds multiple leadership roles.
Where does Rob Desborough work?
Rob Desborough is Managing Partner & CEO (Seraphim Space Camp) at Seraphim Space.
What does Rob Desborough invest in?
Rob Desborough invests in AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Hardware, Space Tech.
What check size does Rob Desborough write?
Rob Desborough typically writes checks of $250K – $25M.
What boards does Rob Desborough sit on?
Rob Desborough holds tracked board seats at Xona Space Systems.
What companies has Rob Desborough invested in?
Investments tracked here include AADYAH Aerospace, AIRMO, AnsuR Technologies AS, CisLunar Industries, CyStellar, Deep Planet, Entopy, Kurs Orbital, LambdaVision, ODIN Space, Opteran, Ubotica, and 1 more.
Where did Rob Desborough go to school?
Rob Desborough studied at University of Glasgow (Bachelor’s Degree, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences); University of Strathclyde (PGDip - Post Graduate Diploma, Information Technology Systems); Blundell's School.

Same school

Shared employers