Field of View (FOV) - December 2023

Approach Venture’s Field of View (or “FOV”) is a monthly newsletter providing space industry participants with key insights, trends, updates and analysis to stay informed. Field of View is produced alongside space industry experts, founders, startup operators as well as commercial and government decision makers.

Approach Venture was formed to enable founding teams building the future of frontier technology to achieve their full potential. Today, Approach supports space companies ranging from stealth to publicly-traded as well as investors looking to participate in their growth potential.

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2023 Year in Review

Approach experienced an exceptional year with many thanks to the teams who trust in our ability to deliver timely, accurate results across fundraise, finance, business development, space market intelligence, proposal writing & capture management, product GTM strategy and space startup due diligence. We’re pleased to provide an illustrative overview of traction gained, milestones achieved and what we’re looking forward to in the New Year!

Field of View (“FOV”) Newsletter.

• In August 2023, Approach published our first monthly newsletter titled FOV to share our unique perspective(s) as a space-focused consulting / advisory team comprised of startup operators who take a ‘boots on the ground’ approach

• Subscriber Count: After four monthly newsletters, our subscriber count is ~3k comprised of space startup founders, public / private space company decision makers, investors (venture, private equity, investment banking), DoD decision makers and industry enthusiasts

• Ad Placement. As result of ad space requests to increase visibility / ramp marketing efforts, we began including ad space in our October FOV newsletter for space-focused teams resulting in increased deal flow, potential customer and partnership inbounds

• To check out prior FOV newsletters and subscribe to receive monthly newsletters in 2024, click here

Business Development & Fundraise Efforts.

• Business Development: Since April 2023, Approach has supported frontier tech startups in netting a cumulative new bookings total of ~$18 million. This total reflects a combination of award notifications and fully executed commercial and government contracts (to include first-ever A&D Prime contracts) across an array of technologies

• Fundraise: Since April 2023, Approach has supported frontier tech startups ranging from Pre-Seed to Series B in successfully raising ~$33 million in traditional VC and strategic funding

Team & Services Expansion.

• Tristan Cembrinski joined Approach to create and lead Approach’s Proposal Writing & Capture Management vertical

  • Following time running business development and proposal writing efforts at several new space companies, Tristan’s proposal writing expertise has helped several new space companies win first-ever and follow-on DoD contracts in just 3 months since joining

• In Q1 2024, we plan to announce an additional team member to expand our BD aperture and related efforts - stay tuned!

Memberships & Programs Secured.

• Joined DoD’s SkillBridge Program in an effort to support military veterans transitioning out of uniform by providing a transformative impact on their ability to navigate the civilian world and expand their respective network(s)

  • Approach is a Veteran Owned Small Business

• Member of National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL)

2024 Look Ahead

Satellite Conference Speaking Engagement in DC (March).

• Approach will be moderating our first panel discussing Safety and Precision in Cooperative Rendezvous & Proximity Operations on Orbit. The role of commercial space companies in conducting RPO is increasing to enable inspections, diagnostics, and maintenance of on-orbit systems

• The following panelists are participating:

  • Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly ($100mm raise announcement)

  • Adel Haddoud, CEO of Infinite Orbits

  • Celvi Lisy, Research Assistant at MIT Olin Satellite + Spectrum Technology and Policy Program

  • Andrea Cardellicchio, Head of Commercial Development at Telespazio Spa

Seraphim / Generation Space Accelerator Mentor.

• Approach has been selected as a mentor for Seraphim / Generation Space’s Mission 13 Accelerator Program

  • Deadline to Submit: Sunday, February 11

Strategic Engagement.

• Approach will be supporting a team looking to participate in space industry growth with a combination of market research / intelligence, identification of M&A / investment targets and related diligence. This is our first strategic advisory engagement leveraging our prior experiences in A&D investment banking (Barclays) as well as M&A strategic advisory (Renaissance Strategic Advisors)

Frontier Technology Startup Diligence.

• Continuation of current venture capital engagements supporting diligence of space / frontier technology focused teams

Approach-Sponsored Event.

• Approach is in the process of planning our first space-focused investor / startup mixer either to be held in Manhattan or LA based on target attendee preference - more to follow!