Actuate Ventures is a venture studio founded by Chris Le and Andrew Woodfield, former employees of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company. The venture studio specializes in supporting startups in the space industry and other deep-tech markets. Le and Woodfield have set up shop less than a year ago and are already building connections with collaborators, investors, and entrepreneurs. They are currently working on creating their first $25 million venture fund for investment, but they see themselves as ‘co-founders in a box’ who are actively involved in helping grow companies beyond just providing funding.
The venture studio model employed by Actuate Ventures is a hybrid between an incubator and a venture capital firm. While this model is not new, Actuate Ventures is focusing on leveraging their expertise in space ventures and deep-tech areas such as biomedicine and materials science. By providing specialized services and access to a robust ecosystem, Le and Woodfield aim to drive companies toward producing solutions that benefit Earth and humanity as a whole. Their experience in designing and developing products, as well as their space savvy, is helping Actuate Ventures establish itself in the industry.
Actuate Ventures began as a product studio called Exsai Technologies, which is now considered an Actuate Ventures company. This product services firm assists clients in building websites, developing go-to-market strategies, and other startup-related activities. The company plans to create multiple avenues of revenue, including investing in space startups and other deep-tech ventures, aiding startups in connecting with external investors, and offering incubator and accelerator programs in strategic aerospace hubs across America. Despite being a remote-first operation based in Orlando, Actuate Ventures is expanding its reach and establishing a community advisory network known as the Future Council.
The firm is currently assisting ventures like Orbital Composites, which specializes in developing 3D printing technologies for aerospace and energy applications, and Ultraview AI, which is focused on creating an AI-based platform for drone inspections. Actuate Ventures is also in the process of setting up innovation hubs in Redmond, Wash.; Orlando, Fla.; and Denver, where their accelerator and incubator programs will be offered. The company is focused on building momentum and has a dedicated team of experts who are part of the Future Council. While Actuate Ventures is in its early stages and is bootstrapping its operations for now, Le believes they are on track for steady growth in the future.
Overall, Actuate Ventures aims to be deeply involved in the growth and success of the companies they work with, providing not just funding but also specialized services, connections, and expertise. The venture studio model allows them to take a hands-on approach to supporting startups in the space industry and other deep-tech markets. As they continue to build connections, grow their team, and expand their offerings, Actuate Ventures is positioning itself to be a key player in advancing innovation and technology for the benefit of humanity. Through their unique approach and commitment to collaboration, Le and Woodfield are set to make a significant impact in the space industry and deep-tech markets.
