Lapsa
Lapsa is the co-founder and CEO of Stoke Space, a startup founded in 2021 where they continue to lead.
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa says he might not found Kent, Wash. company today due to politics and proposed wealth tax
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa said at a Seattle event that if he were founding the Kent, Washington rocket company today he might not choose Washington state, citing a hostile political climate toward successful founders, weaker startup support compared with other states, and a proposed wealth tax on unrealized gains.
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa says he might not have started the rocket company in Washington today, citing politics, schools and tax proposals
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa said he and his co-founder might not choose Washington state if they were starting the fully reusable rocket company today, citing a hostile political climate toward successful founders, insufficient state support for startups, struggling public schools, and proposed wealth taxes. He made the remarks during a keynote at a Seattle Space Week event urging Washington to do more to retain and attract next-generation founders.
Kevin Weil Joins Stoke Space Board to Drive Funding and Support Nova Rocket Launch
Kevin Weil, a seasoned tech executive from Twitter, Meta, Planet Labs, and OpenAI, has joined the board of Seattle startup Stoke Space to enhance funding and investor relations as it prepares for the potential first flight of its Nova rocket. Stoke Space has raised over $1.34 billion, including a $510 million Series D in 2025, aiming to scale rapidly in the reusable rocket market.
Stoke Space Raises $260M to Advance Fully Reusable Nova Rocket and Build Florida Launch Site
Stoke Space has raised $260 million in a Series C funding round to advance the development of its fully reusable Nova rocket and build a launch complex in Florida, bringing total funding to $480 million. The company recently completed a key test firing of its Zenith rocket engine and aims for a first orbital test flight of the Nova rocket this year.
Stoke Space Hotfires 100,000-Pound Thrust Full-Flow Staged Combustion Rocket Engine on New Vertical Test Stand
Stoke Space successfully hotfired its first-stage full-flow staged combustion rocket engine on a new vertical test stand in Moses Lake, Washington, marking a significant milestone for the startup. The company, founded by former Blue Origin employees, aims to develop fully reusable rockets operating with aircraft-like frequency.
Blue Origin Alumni Launch Startups: Relativity Prepares Terran Launch as Co-founder Jordan Noone Steps Back; Stoke Space Wins $225K NSF Grant
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos 20 years ago, has spawned a wave of space startups led by its alumni, including Relativity Space and Stoke Space. Relativity is preparing a Terran rocket launch and undergoing leadership change as co-founder Jordan Noone steps back, while Stoke Space in Renton is developing reusable upper-stage propulsion with a $225,000 NSF SBIR grant.
Organizations
-
Stoke Space Co-founder and CEO · current
