Astroforge - The Future of Mining in Space, a Conversation With Founder Matt Gialich on Low-Cost Asteroid Mining | Episode 16

What if mining for valuable minerals could be done in space with a smaller environmental impact and at a lower cost? 

In this episode of The Lobster Talks by Lobster Capital, Gabriel Jarrosson interviews Matt Gialich, the founder and CEO of AstroForge, a company focused on mining asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than the current mining methods. Matt shares his journey from working at Bird Rides and the Jet Propulsion Lab to founding AstroForge, inspired by the challenges of sourcing platinum for microchips and the limitations of traditional space exploration. Matt discusses AstroForge's mission to make space resources accessible on Earth, revolutionize mining practices, and contribute to a cleaner economic impact. AstroForge's upcoming mission in November will be the first commercial deep space mission to identify a metallic asteroid, paving the way for a new era of space resource utilization. With a focus on speed, innovation, and environmental responsibility, AstroForge is poised to become a leader in the emerging field of asteroid mining.

EPISODE IN A GLANCE

-Introduction to Matt Gialich, CEO of AstroForge

-AstroForge's Mission and Potential Uses for Mined Metals

-Matt's journey from Bird Rides and JPL to founding AstroForge

-The potential size and impact of AstroForge on the global mining industry and the environment

-The "idiot rule" and AstroForge's innovative approach to cost reduction

-The importance of speed in AstroForge's operations and how it's embedded in their team culture

-The hardest part of asteroid mining and AstroForge's focus on developing refinery technology

-How AstroForge selects target asteroids, prioritizing ore quality over size

-Hiring challenges and the importance of passion and ownership within the AstroForge team

-Details about AstroForge's upcoming November launch and the goals of the mission

-Balancing fundraising and CEO responsibilities, the challenges Matt faces

-Matt's key takeaway from Y Combinator and the importance of focusing on customers

-Matt's unique perspective on the impact of books and quotes on his life

ABOUT MATT GIALICH

Matt Gialich is the CEO of AstroForge. An asteroid mining company that is the first company to have a commercial deep space mission.

CONNECT WITH MATT GIALICH

Website → https://www.astroforge.io/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gialich/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/astroforge/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/astroforge.io/

X/Twitter → https://x.com/astroforge

Email → [email protected]

ABOUT GABRIEL JARROSSON

Gabriel Jarrosson is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup space and the General Partner of Lobster Capital. He has invested over $25M in Y Combinator startups. Having sold three of his own startups, he shares his expertise in his books "My Investor Secrets" and "Investing in Startups: x100 or Nothing."

CONNECT WITH GABRIEL JARROSSON

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@lobstercapital

Website → https://www.lobstercap.com/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieljarrosson/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lobstercapital/

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lobstercapital

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