Our Strategy
Our story
A Diversified Investment Strategy

Space Debris
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Focussing on the evolving technology driving the solutions.
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Researching the risk of space debris (kinetic and economic) and mitigation measures (in-orbit removal and pre-launch legal processes)
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Funding start-ups that are developing space debris innovations such as mapping, situation awareness (SSA), and removal.

Earth Observation (Geoint & Data)
- Focussing on EO for Urban and Agricultural markets, e.g. development, pollution monitoring, land use, soil moisture.
- Researching applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to increasingly complex satellite imagery, and on-demand real-time Earth observation (finance forecast, transport optimization, smart farming).
- Funding of European Earth Observation start-ups that have services for an international market.
- Using EO for environmental monitoring and to compliment SDGs, see Space Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

Space Resources
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Separating Moon Mining / Lunar Resources from Asteroid Mining; they are two different risk categories.
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Researching existing space laws, plus resources supply and demand: What is of value and why.
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Focussing on the international companies and technology that form the space resources supply-chain.
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Establishing commercial rights for space resources, e.g. commoditizing the lunar surface.

Space Infrastructure
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Focussing on Space Commodities as a future market, e.g. propellant as an exchange traded instrument.
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Researching how Space Infrastructure can leverage existing frameworks (legal, political, industrial) to grow.
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Establishing the business models that underpin the infrastructure required for next generation refuelling of satellites and CISLunar and deep space missions.
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Funding the planning and execution of large scale Space Infrastructure projects.

Small Satellites Technology
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Focussing on emerging European SmallSat and CubeSats companies.
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Researching the satellites road map, e.g. where is the LEO opportunity (IoT, earth observation), and the risks (debris).
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Establishing SVI in satellite constellation supply chains.
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Funding European start-ups that are developing innovations in propulsion, communication, and autonomous operations.

Space Commerce
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Focussing on existing companies that have an established presence, e.g. satellite fleets in GEO.
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Researching upcoming opportunities, e.g. Launch Manufacturing: small (reusable) launchers, 3D printing, new materials.
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Investing in expansions, e.g. constellations offering global real-time broadband, satellite servicing logistics services.
The Team

FOUNDING Partner
SIMON DRAKE
Simon Drake co-founded Space Ventures Investors in 2014 and is responsible for day-to-day operations.
After working for over 15 years in marketing, publishing, consulting and in the investment banking industry (Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, Houlihan Lokey), Simon focussed on the concept of making space investing a reality to investors.
For the past two years he was part of the Copernicus Incubation selection panel (evaluation of Earth Observation start-ups and companies for funding) and was previously a mentor in the European Copernicus Masters Accelerator program.
Simon leads various joint ventures and spin-offs (Space Commodities Exchange, Lunar Resources Registry, Space Resources) alongside our business development and partnerships.

FOUNDING Partner
KEVIN MAC GOWAN
Kevin Mac Gowan co-founded Space Ventures Investors in 2014.
He is a Management and Marketing MBA Graduate and has studied in Europe and the US.
He has decades of experience in management consulting, advertising, marketing (B2C, B2B, digital) and has successfully founded several businesses.
Kevin is responsible for SVI’s network in Germany Switzerland, Austria and France.

Partner
THOMAS LAZARIDIS
Thomas Lazaridis joined Space Ventures Investors in 2015. He understood the importance of the space market early on from his experience at Thales Alenia Space and the need to be involved in the New Space industry.
He has years of experience as a strategic and commercial investment advisor in the infrastructure industry and operational experience in the space sector.
Thomas leads the venture capital investment arm of SVI in Europe and works with founders to add and create value.