OVERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
Space – the next frontier
Starfighters Space is poised to service one of the largest growing economies.
Over the past several decades, space and satellite technology has become the invisible foundation of our digital world.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
Supersonic, high altitude satellite launch from a proven reusable piloted platform via an equally well-established launch vehicle.
Starfighters Space operates the world’s only fleet of commercially flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft capable of air-launches at MACH 2 from approximately 45,000 feet.
Partners / Clients / Relationships
Flight operations are located at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Starfighters currently serves global multinational customers including Lockheed Martin, GE, Innoveering, Meggitt, Space Florida, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
INNOVATION
Starfighters Space initially targets sub-orbital launches (approx 100km) of small satellites from its F-104 fleet using a specialized air-launch rocket named STARLAUNCH I.
Starfighters’ next generation STARLAUNCH II will increase propulsion thrust by 49% – offering air-launched small satellite delivery to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) approx. +160km.
MARKET POTENTIAL
$54.2B projected small satellite industry market value by 2030 (Euroconsult Research).
GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY
Multiple revenue streams exist in addition to satellite launches:
Competitively Priced,
Unique Capabilities
Other companies offer launch, but none offer the capabilities and price of Starfighters Space
Kennedy Space Center and DoD Range partnerships gain airspace priority over other FAA users
PRIMARY
REVENUE
Current growth in the small-sat market based on backlog of ~2000 payloads waiting for launch
SECONDARY
REVENUE
Hypersonic rocket R&D development platform for national defense and other users
Competitively Priced,
Unique Capabilities
Other companies offer launch, but none offer the capabilities and price of Starfighters Space
Kenedy Space Center and DoD range partnerships to get priority in airspace over FAA users
PRIMARY
REVENUE
Currently exponential growth in the small-sat market with a backlog of ~2000 payloads waiting for launch
SECONDARY
REVENUE
Hypersonic missile development
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Franta has served as Starfighters’ Vice President of Development since October 18, 2022. He is leading development of the STARLAUNCH air-launch system intended to fly rockets capable of delivering payloads to space. Before Starfighters, he was Energy Florida’s Deputy Director in Cape Canaveral (October 2018 to September 2022) and previously Director of Special Projects (2012 to October 2018). His work focused on space and energy business development, translating financial and technical requirements into fundable business plans and aligning public policy with private and government financing. Earlier, he worked for the Florida Legislature and served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Space Authority, where he helped draft space transportation legislation, oversaw FAA licensing of two launch pads, and supported more than $300 million in space and ground infrastructure funding. He also authored the Florida Space Transportation Act.
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Whitney has served as Starfighters Space, Inc.'s Chief Financial Officer since January 2024. Mr. Whitney has been serving as a Finance Executive for technology companies for the past 10 years with both private and public companies. From November 2016 to May 2020 Mr. Whitney served as the Chief Financial Officer for RentMoola Payment Solutions Inc. ("RentMoola"). From September 2018 to January 2020 he also served on the Board of Directors for RentMoola. During his tenure at RentMoola, Mr. Whitney oversaw the financing and accounting divisions at the Company; he was responsible for all capital raises which included a Series A, and retail investments. From May 2020 to September 2022 he served as Chief Financial Officer for Property Vista Software Inc. ("Property Vista"). At Property Vista, Mr. Whitney was responsible for the finance and accounting office at the Company and was responsible for all capital and debt solutions while employed there. From September 2022 to December 2023 Mr. Whitney was Chief Financial Officer for a large Canadian independent film studio, BRON Studios. Mr. Whitney had a team of over 60 finance and account staff and was responsible for over $500MM in film and investment assets. Mr. Whitney is a CPA (CA) designated in British Columbia Canada, articling in public practice at Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Whitney has won several distinguished awards in his field including Ernst & Youngs '40 Under 40' award for Western Canada. Mr. Whitney has a Bachelor of Business Administration minoring in Advanced Accounting from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Corporate Secretary
Ms. Svetkoff has served as the corporate secretary of Starfighters since September 2022. She is familiar with aviation operations, having worked for Continental Airlines for 13 years. Ms. Svetkoff has assisted with Starfighters transition from an airshow team to a research, development, testing and evaluation as well as a launch company. Ms. Svetkoff also coordinates Starfighters' involvement with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education programs which culminates every year with Girls in Aviation coming to Starfighters' hangar for a day of events.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Franta has served as Starfighters’ Vice President of Development since October 18, 2022. He is leading development of the STARLAUNCH air-launch system intended to fly rockets capable of delivering payloads to space. Before Starfighters, he was Energy Florida’s Deputy Director in Cape Canaveral (October 2018 to September 2022) and previously Director of Special Projects (2012 to October 2018). His work focused on space and energy business development, translating financial and technical requirements into fundable business plans and aligning public policy with private and government financing. Earlier, he worked for the Florida Legislature and served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Space Authority, where he helped draft space transportation legislation, oversaw FAA licensing of two launch pads, and supported more than $300 million in space and ground infrastructure funding. He also authored the Florida Space Transportation Act.
Director
Mr. Bromley is a self-employed independent consultant to private and public companies and has significant experience in consulting and advising early-stage companies. As a former investment advisor, Mr. Bromley also brings considerable capital markets and financing expertise to the Company. He has been working as an investment consultant for the past 9 years and currently serves, or has served, as a director and consultant for multiple public and private companies including The Vurger Co Ltd. (since March 2022), Modern Mining Technology Corp. (since September 2021), Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. (since August 2020), Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (December 2019 to August 2023), Isracann Biosciences Inc. (December 2018 to January 2024), Bolt Metals Corp. (October 2017 to November 2024) White Gold Corp. (since November 2015), and Apollo Silver Corp. (August 2015 to June 2023). As a consultant, Mr. Bromley assists companies with corporate strategy, the identification of potential targets for mergers and acquisitions and the negotiation of transaction agreements, capital raising and making introductions to potential business partners. Mr. Bromley holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with specialization in Finance from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. He also studied at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2012.
Director
Mr. Goldmeier is the founder and president of BYG Strategies, Inc., a strategic advisory and political consultancy firm headquartered in Miami, Florida, which he founded in November 2010. Through his firm, Mr. Goldmeier advises public and private sector clients across the United States on market entry, expansion strategies, capital development, and stakeholder engagement. He has extensive experience supporting early-stage companies, including those in the technology, cryptocurrency, and financial services sectors, and has worked closely with C-suite executives and corporate boards to advance growth strategies and public-private initiatives. Mr. Goldmeier has served as a senior advisor and principal fundraiser to numerous political campaigns, issue-based initiatives, and nonprofit organizations. Over the course of his career, he has led efforts that have raised more than $300 million for political and policy campaigns and has supported capital raises and business development projects valued at over $500 million. His experience includes structuring and advising on complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, public-private partnerships, and major investment and infrastructure projects. Mr. Goldmeier is also engaged in civic and professional training, offering strategic networking and fundraising guidance to elected officials, trade associations, and business coalitions. He is widely regarded for his ability to navigate government relations, investment strategy, and corporate positioning at both the local and national level.
Director
Geoffrey "Hak" Hickman is a c-suite executive and board member with over 30 years' experience in risk management, financial services, and building high performing teams. He is a former tactical military pilot with over 3200 flight hours and holds FINRA banking licenses (Series 24, 79, 7, 63). While also flying for a major US airline, Mr. Hickman is currently the Managing Partner of Global Specialized Advisory, LLC., a consulting company providing expertise to clients with a focus on financial efficiency, structuring and risk transfer. Prior to this, Mr. Hickman was the Chief Commercial Officer for Aon's Public Sector Partnership (PSP) which focused on developing innovative solutions to help governments and other public institutions reduce volatility and increase the resiliency of their mission. Mr. Hickman previously served as a senior leader within Citi's Public Sector Group and led Citi's relationships with the World Bank Group and the U.S. Department of Defense. He also led Citi's overall efforts with Developmental Finance Institutions headquartered in Asia and Ministries of Defense globally. In these roles, Mr. Hickman drove client satisfaction in the delivery of Citi's full suite of corporate banking solutions to these complex, global public sector clients. Before joining Citi, Mr. Hickman was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and specialized in designing transformative processes and structures in his work with financial institutions and large governmental organizations. Prior to his career in the business world, Mr. Hickman served as an F-16 Instructor and Evaluator pilot in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Mr. Hickman deployed for multiple contingency operations and flew combat missions over Iraq and the former Yugoslavia, accumulating over 269 combat hours. In his final USAF assignment, Mr. Hickman served as the Ninth Air Force "Viper East" Demonstration Pilot and Team Commander. During this two-year period, he flew F-16 demonstrations at 77 air show sites across the US and Europe for over 17 million spectators. After departing from the USAF, Mr. Hickman was able to continue flying air shows after becoming qualified in the L-39 and F-104. Mr. Hickman holds the degree of Master in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a BS in International Affairs/History with a Minor in Mandarin language from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is also the co-founder of the Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) DC chapter, has served as a board member for the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) and is the Chair of the Advisory Board for Ranchland Capital Partners, a real asset investment manager focused exclusively on large western Ranchlands and providing clients with access to professionally managed, institutional quality assets.
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