TAMPA, Fla. — Early-stage space investor Seraphim Space has formed a global advisory council of industry, policy and investment leaders to inform its long-term strategy as geopolitical and technology advances rapidly reshape the sector.
The Global Space Advisory Council will be chaired by SES co-founder and satellite industry pioneer Candace Johnson, Seraphim announced April 15, ahead of its first meeting later in the day at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
According to Seraphim general partner Rob Desborough, the council stands to be fundamentally different from other forums and conferences that have already been set up across the industry.
“This is not an event or networking platform, but a standing, internationally representative advisory council convened by Seraphim,” he said in response to SpaceNews questions.
“It has been established specifically to shape the next decade of space investment by bringing together senior leaders across commercial space, policy, defense, science and investment.”
Rather than focusing on near-term developments, he said the council would take a longer-term view of the structural forces shaping the space economy as the sector becomes increasingly strategic for businesses and governments.
“In doing so, it helps inform Seraphim’s view of the long-term shifts shaping the ecosystem, supporting our ability to back and scale the most important SpaceTech companies driving the sector forward,” said Desborough, one of the council members appointed under a two-year term.
Other anchor members are:
- Anousheh Ansari, CEO of nonprofit innovation organization XPRIZE
- Ann Winblad, cofounder and managing director of venture capital firm Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
- Marco Fuchs, CEO of European satellite maker OHB
- Masayasu Ishida, cofounder and CEO of industry conference and ecosystem platform SPACETIDE and program director of the Japan Space Strategy Fund.
- Pascale Ehrenfreund, president of the COSPAR international scientific body and research professor at George Washington University’s space policy institute.
Other anchor members are Anousheh Ansari, CEO of nonprofit innovation organization XPRIZE; Ann Winblad, cofounder and managing director of venture capital firm Hummer Winblad Venture Partners; Marco Fuchs, CEO of European satellite maker OHB; Masayasu Ishida, cofounder and CEO of industry conference and ecosystem platform SPACETIDE and program director of the Japan Space Strategy Fund; and Pascale Ehrenfreund, president of the COSPAR international scientific body and research professor at George Washington University’s space policy institute.
Desborough said the council’s inaugural meeting will focus on the next decade of space investments.
“From Seraphim’s perspective, one of the most pressing issues is the growing importance of space in defense and security, alongside its expanding role in global communications and resilience,” he said.
“At the same time, space is becoming increasingly important for climate monitoring, Earth observation and data systems that support energy, AI and wider economic infrastructure.”
The council’s agenda includes an examination of mounting sustainability challenges in orbit, along with looking for a way to develop clearer international approaches to regulation and cooperation as commercial activity accelerates.
