I haven’t updated this site in quite a while. The last time I was drawn to write, my good friend Justin Corwin has just passed on, we were still in the midst of the pandemic that will be a defining moment for the rest of our lives. I was working on fun projects for a small robotics focused incubator, but felt unfulfilled. To keep myself busy, I took on machine shop and engineering development work with the CNC mill and lathe I’d restored in my garage. I was making money, but I still didn’t feel like I had purpose.
Over the last year, working on a small aerospace upstart called Vast, I found that purpose. One day I’ll be able to share that story, but for now my status is: amped to build something new.
I’m running the numbers and doing research on a few ambitious concepts to re-enter the fray. My goal is to build a shiny new aerospace upstart at this pivotal moment in humanity’s expansion in R-bar. While it’s not ready for primetime, check back here for updates as things progress.
The intent: drive humanity further into space, create a plan that will stand the test of reality, build a team of sharp engineers that can take on the world (or other worlds), and then go execute. From recent experience I can do this quickly. I’ve had reflected back to me by my team and advisors that I’m the right person for the job. And this is a big enough challenge that it will define generations of progress moving forward. There are a lot of really interesting problems to tackle.
Uncertainty I’ve had for years about taking the plunge is mostly gone. I will always try to maintain a healthy respect for the things I don’t know, and can’t do well, and place value on action and the people supporting me. I’m ready.
I have a lot to learn about raising capital to fund a venture. I’ll lean on my friends who have built companies in the past, or are currently managing funds, to help guide me through the process, and I’ll approach it with tenacity and urgency myself.
My goal is to find investors who are knowledgeable and excited about space, and already understand the unique challenges of building hardware companies. I want to build an alliance of folks that are smart as hell, pumped up to build strong trust, and I’ll steer our ships towards success. If you know anyone I should talk to, reach out! (risknc at the gmail)
There’s a lot in finding a good balance, as Elon and other leaders I’ve worked with have demonstrated. If the scales tip too far in one direction, it’s hard to build an unstoppable company.
After tuning a robust classifier from SpaceX, Hyperloop, and other startups I’ve worked at over the years. there’s a keen sense for weighing value, in culture, process, individuals, and the more I can trust that sense, the more success I’ll have.
I’m excited to start down this new path, and would cherish any advice friends or strangers might have for me in this journey. reach out ( @risknc on twitter, or risknc at google mail ).
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