Venturing into Orbit: Introducing Third Vector
“Why venture into space now? Why leave Salesforce Ventures, especially in this challenging economy?”
These are common questions I’ve received since launching Third Vector. Contrary to expectations, I didn't join a space industry veteran nor was I picked by a major investor because of my track record. My journey to founding Third Vector is fueled by a unique alignment of my professional skills, societal impact goals, and a deep personal calling.
Introducing Third Vector
In February, I started Third Vector, an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to enhancing life on Earth through space technology. We invest in and support the most promising ventures in space data and software, from pre-seed to seed stage, ensuring these companies thrive commercially.
Global Impact, Inspired by Local Challenges
My passion for emerging technologies and creating value in the enterprise tech landscape has evolved over the years. My focus on space technology began with a personal pain point—a slow internet connection in southern Louisiana, which led me to discover Starlink and the broader potential of satellite technologies. Delving deeper, I realized space technology's capacity to address critical global issues like climate change, healthcare research, and digital equity.
Back home in southern Louisiana, where these challenges are palpable, the potential impact of space tech is tremendous. Imagine advanced weather satellites providing extra preparation time for hurricanes, or earth observation technologies helping sugarcane farmers increase crop yields. Consider the implications of supporting microgravity research on healthcare advancements, such as cancer research and synthetic organ production. These innovations promise to transform billions of lives at a local level, utilizing the global reach of Earth’s orbits. This was the scale of impact that I have searched for throughout my entire career.
Space Tech is Enterprise Tech
Having focused on enterprise tech and data, I know what a data ecosystem looks like and what it needs to flourish. It did not take long to identify space as a vast data ecosystem that needs its own modern data stack. Beyond rocket and propulsion technologies, the space data ecosystem shares more similarities with the enterprise technology industry than immediately meets the eye: namely recurring revenues, multi-industry use cases, and complex enterprise GTM motions.
Leaning in on these similarities, I spent several months sketching out a venture capital firm that would focus on unique data sets generated through space-based assets, data tools and infrastructure that form the modern data stack of space, and the critical software that enables the entire ecosystem.
Third Vector was born as a new firm to provide both capital and support grounded in enterprise technology fundamentals - grounded in commercial success.
A Higher Calling Beyond the Orbits
Faced with the opportunity to continue a comfortable career at Salesforce or venture into the unknown, I sought guidance through prayer, considering my role not just in business but in a broader mission guided by faith.
As a lifelong practicing Catholic, I view such decisions through a spiritual lens, with God as the chairman of my personal board of directors. Through exploratory conversations with mentors, friends, and space industry veterans, I received a vote of confidence from the higher power. I received potent signs that my professional experiences in venture capital and enterprise software were ideally suited to make a significant impact through space technology.
So, even in interesting economic times, even in an election year, even when my career at Salesforce had strong momentum, I chose to obey the call of God.
Looking Ahead: The Vision for Third Vector
Over the coming decades, I envision Third Vector growing into a pre-eminent venture capital firm anchored by our core values: integrity, global perspective, and tenacity. We will partner with outstanding individuals and teams committed to building exceptional businesses. Through those businesses, we will enhance the lives of billions of people.
Join Us on This Journey
We are poised to build a future where space technology is central to solving our most pressing global challenges. If you’re building a data or software company in the New Space Economy, or if you’re a corporate leader interested in how space technology can transform your business, reach out to request a meeting with our team or email me at theo@thirdvector.ventures.