In this episode of Commercial Space Transformers SpaceNews Senior Staff Writer Jason Rainbow speaks with James Parker, Founding Partner, Leonid Capital Partners.
Parker shares his career journey from NASA flight controller, where he worked on the International Space Station’s robotics, to the world of private credit and finance. Leveraging his aerospace background, Parker discusses the challenges of financing space companies, particularly due to limited cash flows and intangible assets like satellites. He emphasizes the critical role of government contracts, which provide reliable cash flows and mitigate risks for private lenders.
Parker identifies key investment opportunities in several areas. He advises space startups to focus on demonstrating near-term business plans, cash flow stability, and survivability to attract private lending.
The SpaceNews Commercial Space Transformers video series gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and companies driving the space industry’s commercial transformation. The weekly series features 15-minute down-to-Earth interviews with key players in space, ranging from the executives at the helm of some of the market’s biggest disruptors to the bankers and investors helping to finance their journey. Join SpaceNews Senior Staff Writer Jason Rainbow as he embarks on a mission to learn where the fast-evolving space industry is heading next.
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