EP 31 —  Apex’s Ian Cinnamon on Sustainability and Innovation in Aerospace

On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, Ian Cinnamon, CEO and Co-founder of Apex, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of the space industry, including the importance of vertical integration and how it enhances operational efficiency for satellite technology companies. 

Ian highlights the growing demand for customizable satellite solutions tailored to specific mission needs, emphasizing the need for innovation in design and functionality. He also addresses the critical role of sustainability in aerospace, advocating for environmentally responsible practices in satellite development. 

Topics discussed:

• The necessity of vertical integration in the space industry and how it streamlines operations and enhances overall efficiency for satellite manufacturers.
• The increasing demand for tailored satellite systems that meet specific mission requirements, allowing for greater flexibility and effectiveness in operations.
• The importance of sustainability in satellite design, advocating for environmentally responsible practices that minimize the industry's ecological footprint.
• The critical role of understanding unit economics, including costs associated with payloads, buses, and launches, in driving business success.
• How artificial intelligence can revolutionize satellite technology, improving operational efficiency and enabling smarter decision-making in real-time.
• The importance of assembling a diverse team with varied backgrounds, as it fosters creativity and innovation in problem-solving within the aerospace sector.
• Navigating the complexities of government contracts, including compliance mandates and the inherent red tape involved in the process.
• The exciting prospects for space commercialization, including new business models that align profitability with innovative technology solutions.
• The competitive landscape in the space industry, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging players and established companies.
• The importance of having a clear long-term vision and strategy for growth in the rapidly evolving space sector. 

Guest Quotes: 

“All these new companies were launching their satellites to orbit and monetizing them with data. And it wasn't just the commercial side. The government was launching a lot more as well. And for me, this was this almost light bulb moment, as they say, where I said, ‘oh, my God. This industry that I've loved as a kid has now become something where it was operating at the scale where it could go back to what I first said, where you could have a real product instead of doing this bespoke work.’ And that really led me down the path that eventually led to Apex.”

“So seeing the fact that there's so much overlap in the use in the technology here, to me, shows that the industry is growing and moving forward. And I think that's probably the most prevalent thing, which is there's more overlap than people realize, and it's not a crystal clear divide. And that's a good thing for the industry.”

“You have to have a clear vision of what you're building and be able to relay that to the team. For us, we are laser focused on building a true product and we ingrain that into every single one of us. And sometimes that means the willingness to say no to customers and push back. And having that be a core part of our DNA is so important.”

“What I will say is, from the very beginning, we knew we were going to face that, so we tried to be really smart about everything that we've done, from building on the right stack where we wouldn't have to migrate over later to the right cybersecurity policies in place, to hiring a team that understands that environment, to the right certification standards and everything up in there.” 

Get in touch with Ian Cinnamon:  

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