Doug Kohl
Doug Kohl is currently the NASA Artemis Program Lunar Base Camp & SLD LinkedIn Community Curator at Artemis Lunar & Sustain Lunar Development. He founded Orbital Robotics, which is still running, and previously founded Sierra Communications, Praise Island, and Craigslist. His expertise includes space robotics, spacecraft operations, lunar programs, and AI in space robotics, with experience in NASA, DOD, MDA, and commercial space sectors.
Recent coverage
Front-page news, podcasts and videos about Doug
2026 GeekWire Awards Finalists Include AIM Intelligent Machines with $50M Funding and $4.9M Air Force Contracts for Autonomous Earthmovers
The 2026 GeekWire Awards announced finalists for Hardware/Robotics/Physical AI of the Year, highlighting startups innovating with autonomous heavy machinery, drones, spatial computing, and space robotics. Notable finalist AIM Intelligent Machines secured $50 million funding in 2025 and $4.9 million in U.S. Air Force contracts for autonomous earthmoving equipment.
GeekWire Startup Radar spotlights 2024 Seattle AI startups including AlsonAI and InnoMat with VC assessments from WestRiver’s Anthony Bontrager
GeekWire’s Startup Radar highlights early-stage Seattle companies focused on AI across space robotics, storytelling, and supply chain, featuring VC viewpoints from Anthony Bontrager of WestRiver Group. Spotlights include AlsonAI (generative AI storytelling) and InnoMat (AI-driven material selection), both founded in 2024 and currently bootstrapped.
Seattle Early-Stage Startups AlsonAI, InnoMat, LoftxAI, and Orbital Robotics Spotlighted for AI Innovations in Storytelling and Supply Chains
GeekWire's startup radar highlights early-stage Seattle companies focusing on AI innovations in space robotics, storytelling, and supply chain, featuring leaders like Nafisa Muzaffar of AlsonAI and Charlie Sun of InnoMat. Venture capitalist Anthony Bontrager offers insights on their potential and challenges in market adoption.
Organizations
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Orbital Robotics Chief Operating Officer & Founder 2025–2026, Chief Operating Officer 2025–2026, Co-Founder 2025–2026, COO 2026 · current
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Artemis Lunar & Sustain Lunar Development NASA Artemis Program Lunar Base Camp & SLD LinkedIn Community Curator 2020–present · current
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Actuate Ventures Venture Partner 2026 · past
Education
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SARTA Leadership Institute Leadership studies and classes for business · 2013–2014
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Lockheed Leadership Institute Leadearship Program Graduate · 1992–1993
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San José State University Aeronautics, Operations Management and Supervision · 1978–1984
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San Jose State University Aeronautics-Operations, Aero, Business · 1979–1983
