Three prominent investors with diverse backgrounds in aerospace, defense, and blockchain technology will convene at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 to discuss the future of capital investment in the rapidly growing space economy. The panel will take place on the Space Stage and aims to provide insights for startups and industry observers on current funding trends and strategic shifts.
Key Takeaways
- A panel at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature investors Celeste Ford, Chris Morales, and Morgan Beller.
- The discussion will focus on capital allocation, funding requirements for startups, and evolving investment strategies in the space sector.
- The event is scheduled for October 27-29, 2025, in San Francisco.
- The panelists bring expertise from venture capital, aerospace engineering, defense technology, and fintech.
Leading Investors to Discuss Space Economy
As the commercialization of space accelerates, understanding the flow of capital has become critical for new and established companies. At the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference, a dedicated session on the Space Stage will bring together three key figures from the investment community to analyze the financial landscape of the space industry.
The discussion is expected to cover where investment capital is currently being directed, what criteria founders must meet to secure funding, and how investment approaches are adapting to the sector's rapid evolution. This session is designed for space tech founders, entrepreneurs considering market entry, and anyone interested in the future of the space ecosystem.
The Growing Space Economy
The global space economy is experiencing significant growth, driven by decreasing launch costs, technological advancements, and increasing demand for satellite-based services. Governments and private markets are making substantial investments, creating a dynamic and competitive environment for startups in areas like satellite manufacturing, data analytics, and in-orbit services.
Profiles of the Panelists
The panel's strength lies in the unique and varied experiences of its speakers, who represent different facets of technology and investment. Their combined knowledge spans traditional aerospace, military applications, venture capital, and frontier technologies like blockchain.
Celeste Ford: Aerospace and Venture Capital
Celeste Ford is the Managing Director at Stellar Ventures, a firm that invests in emerging space technology companies. Her career is deeply rooted in the aerospace sector. In 1995, she founded Stellar Solutions, Inc., an aerospace engineering services company that has served clients across defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.
Stellar Solutions earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a prestigious honor for performance excellence. Ford also established the Stellar Solutions Foundation and the QuakeFinder humanitarian research program. She holds degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and Stanford University and has been inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame.
Chris Morales: Defense and Technology Investment
Chris Morales is a partner at Point72 Ventures, where he is responsible for leading investments in defense technology. His background provides a unique perspective on the intersection of military needs and commercial innovation. Before his career in venture capital, he was an associate at Goldman Sachs in its investment banking division, advising major technology companies.
From Cockpit to Boardroom
Prior to his work in finance, Chris Morales served as an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons Systems Officer in the U.S. Navy. He flew combat missions during Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom and later served as a flight instructor, training new aircrew.
Morgan Beller: Fintech and Early-Stage Ventures
Morgan Beller is a General Partner at NFX, a venture capital fund that focuses on seed-stage investments. She has significant experience in developing and scaling new technology initiatives. Previously, she worked at Facebook, where she helped establish the company's dedicated blockchain team, which led to the creation of the Diem digital currency project and the Novi digital wallet.
"Morgan Beller's experience at Facebook's blockchain division and her earlier roles at Medium and Andreessen Horowitz provide her with deep insights into how frontier technologies transition from strategic concepts to real-world products."
Her role as Head of Strategy for Diem and Novi involved shaping the foundational direction of Facebook's fintech ambitions. Before that, she managed corporate development at Medium and worked on the deal team at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, focusing on early-stage investments.
The Evolving Landscape of Space Investment
The panel discussion comes at a time when both public and private investment in space is on the rise. The industry is no longer dominated by government agencies; private companies are now leading innovation in launch services, satellite constellations, and Earth observation.
This shift has created new opportunities and risks for investors. The discussion at Disrupt is expected to explore several key themes:
- Dual-Use Technologies: How innovations in space technology can serve both commercial and government (including defense) purposes.
- Software vs. Hardware: The balance of investment between physical space assets and the software and data analytics platforms that leverage them.
- Long-Term Viability: How investors assess the long-term business models of space startups, which often require significant upfront capital and have long return horizons.
- New Market Entrants: The role of investors from non-traditional space backgrounds, such as fintech and software, in shaping the industry.
Context for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt is an annual technology conference that gathers founders, investors, and industry leaders. The 2025 event, held in San Francisco from October 27-29, will mark the 20th anniversary of the conference. It is expected to attract over 10,000 attendees.
The event will feature more than 250 speakers across 200 sessions, with participants from major technology companies and venture capital firms. The inclusion of a dedicated Space Stage highlights the growing importance of the space sector within the broader technology ecosystem.
This panel offers a focused opportunity for stakeholders in the space industry to gain firsthand knowledge from investors who are actively deploying capital and shaping the future of space commercialization. The insights shared will be valuable for understanding the criteria for success in one of today's most dynamic and challenging technology frontiers.