Rob Desborough Top-Executive
Space focused Venture Capitalist, General Partner at Seraphim Space, the world's leading specialist investor in SpaceTech and manager of the London Stock Exchange listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust Plc FTSE 250 (Market Cap $1bn 5/2026). Seraphim is a pioneer, creating the first Venture fund, listed Growth fund and acclerator focused on Space with $750m AUM. With over 20 years of technology venture capital experience, I have a track record of investing in and supporting more than 100 SpaceTech companies globally and lead our early-stage Investment. Our portfolio includes 9 unicorns with 6
that have IPO'd on Nasdaq, NYSE and TSE for in excess of $bn each. Aggregate funds raised $11bn across our activities. Our first space fund is a top decile performer across PE/VC (vintage 2016).
I am also the Exec Chair and Co-Founder of Seraphim Space Accelerator, the largest Space focused accelerator globally for SpaceTech startups, powered by smart capital from leading Space corporates and agencies. The global accelerator is now operating across hubs in San Francisco, London and Singapore. Since launch in 2018, our alumni have raised over $1bn in investment with a 95% survival rate and 85% of startups closing funding 12 months post. My mission is to accelerate the growth and innovation of the new Space economy!
Headquarters:
London, England, United Kingdom
Followers:
11203
Title:
General Partner/Managing Partner
Company:
Seraphim Space
Company Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/409377/
Current Job Duration:
6 yrs 10 mos
Country:
United Kingdom
License And Certifications:
Name: Investment Management Certificate Part 1 (CFA Level 4)
Authority: CFA Institute
Company ID: None
Date: Unknown
URL: https://linkedin.com/company/162977
Work Experience:
Title: General Partner/Managing Partner
Company: Seraphim Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/409377/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 10-2019
Ends At: Present
Description: Seraphim is the world’s leading specialist investor in SpaceTech and Manager of the London Stock Exchange listed Seraphim Space Investment Trust Plc. Powered by smart capital from leading Space companies and government agencies, we have a unique model combining investment funds, accelerators, and an angel investor platform. Across our activities we have now supported more than 145 Spacetech companies who have raised $7bn, making us the most prolific Spacetech investment group globally. Our portfolio includes 5 companies that have IPO'd on Nasdaq / NYSE: AST SpaceMobile (Nasdaq: ASTS), Voyager (NYSE),Astroscale (Tokyo), ARQIT (Nasdaq:ARQQ), Spire (NYSE:SPRR) and 1 which has IPO's on the Nikkei.
Title: Seraphim Space Accelerator - Co-Founder & Chair
Company: Seraphim Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/409377/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London, United Kingdom
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 12-2017
Ends At: 12-2019
Description: Seraphim Space Accelerator is a dedicated accelerator for SpaceTech startups backed by Seraphim Space, the world’s first Venture Capital Fund dedicated to SpaceTech.
The programme aims to get Seed and Pre-Series A SpaceTech companies “investment ready” and to facilitate unique corporate relationships with some of the leading Space Corporates and Agencies. The programme is led by the Seraphim Capital team bringing with it Seraphim’s wealth of experience and contacts from the industry but also includes delivery partners including: Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Cyient, Dentons, SES, European Space Agency, UK Space Agency and many more. This offers the perfect opportunity to not only prepare your business for Series A with the leading SpaceTech focused Venture fund globally, but also build relationships with some of the world’s leading corporates and SpaceTech entrepreneurs. spacecamp.vc
Title: Investment Director
Company: Seraphim Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/409377/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London, United Kingdom
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 11-2016
Ends At: 10-2019
Description: Seraphim is the world’s leading specialist investor in SpaceTech. Powered by smart capital from leading Space companies and government agencies, we have a unique model combining investment funds, accelerators, and an angel investor platform. Across our activities we have now supported more than 50 Spacetech companies, making us the most prolific Spacetech investment group globally. Our portfolio include three companies that have announced SPAC mergers to list on Nasdaq / NYSE: AST SpaceMobile (Nasdaq: ASTS), www.spire.com, and www.arqit.uk
We are currently actively investing in (among others) the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics / Automation
- UAVs
- Nanotechnology
- Earth Observation
- New Space
- Internet of Things
Title: General/Managing Partner
Company: Generation Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/87102576/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Country: None
Employment Type: Full-time
Start At: 08-2022
Ends At: Present
Description: Generation Space is the US division of Seraphim Space UK Group
Title: Chair
Company: Seraphim Space Accelerator
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seraphim-space-accelerator/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London, San Francisco, Singapore
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 12-2017
Ends At: Present
Description: Seraphim Space Accelerator is a dedicated accelerator for SpaceTech startups backed by Seraphim Capital, the world’s first Venture Capital Fund dedicated to SpaceTech. The 91 SpaceTech startups to graduate have closed $350m in Seed Investment since June 2018.
The programme aims to get Seed and Pre-Series A SpaceTech companies “investment ready” and to facilitate unique corporate relationships with some of the leading Space Corporates and Agencies. The programme is led by the Seraphim Capital team bringing with it Seraphim’s wealth of experience and contacts from the industry but also includes delivery partners including: Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Cyient, Dentons, SES, European Space Agency, UK Space Agency and many more. This offers the perfect opportunity to not only prepare your business for Series A with the leading SpaceTech focused Venture fund globally, but also build relationships with some of the world’s leading corporates and SpaceTech entrepreneurs. spacecamp.vc
Title: Director Board Of Directors
Company: Xona Space Systems
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xona-space-systems/
Industry: Information Services
Company Size: 11-50
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 04-2020
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Board Director
Company: QuadSAT
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quadsat/
Industry: Defense & Space
Company Size: 11-50
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 07-2020
Ends At: Present
Description: Lead Investor in Quadsat
Title: Board Observer
Company: LambdaVision, Inc.
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lambdavision-inc-/
Industry: Biotechnology
Company Size: 1-10
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Country: None
Employment Type: Part-time
Start At: 11-2025
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor
Company: Auriga Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurigaspace/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 07-2023
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor
Company: Voyager Space
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/voyagertechnologies-inc/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 07-2022
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor
Company: Array Labs (YC S22)
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/array-labs/
Industry: Defense & Space
Company Size: 1-10
Location: San Mateo County, California, United States
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 06-2022
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor
Company: constellr
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/constellr/
Industry: Defense & Space
Company Size: 51-200
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 11-2022
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor
Company: Ubotica Technologies
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ubotica/
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 05-2022
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: VC Investor
Company: Opteran
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opteran/
Industry: Computer Software
Company Size: 11-50
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 11-2020
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Investor Observer
Company: Nu Quantum
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nu-quantum/
Industry: Internet
Company Size: 11-50
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 09-2020
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Board Observer
Company: Altitude Angel
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altitude-angel/
Industry: Airlines/Aviation
Company Size: 11-50
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 08-2020
Ends At: Present
Description: None
Title: Steering Board
Company: SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sprintnetwork/
Industry: Defense & Space
Company Size: 1-10
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: Part-time
Start At: 08-2021
Ends At: 09-2023
Description: SPRINT is a £4.8 million programme from five of the UK’s leading space universities to support SMEs in commercially exploiting technologies, data and know-how developed for space. The university partners in the SPRINT programme (Edinburgh, Leicester, Open University, Southampton and Surrey) together have unparalleled space expertise, especially in space missions (building and operating satellites; acquiring, analysing and interpreting data).
Title: Non Executive Director
Company: Capital Enterprise
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capital-enterprise/
Industry: Non-Profit Organization Management
Company Size: 11-50
Location: London Area, United Kingdom
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 12-2018
Ends At: 01-2021
Description: We are London’s start-up experts; connecting & energising a world-class entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Capital Enterprise is a body of connectors, influencers, investors and policy-makers, collaborating to support and super-charge London’s startup scene.
Title: Commercial & Investment Director - Co-Founder
Company: JustInvesting
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London Area, United Kingdom
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 02-2013
Ends At: 10-2016
Description: JustInvesting is an innovative FinTech company building Investment Infrastructure. Our secure, cloud-based Saas platform can move entire investment ecosystems and assets online, driving efficiency, improving customer engagement, enabling new business models and powering growth for our clients. We are focused on enterprise customers and our starting point is venture – a stepping stone into private equity and the broader alternatives investment market.
The JustInvesting platform supports companies and Institutions from inception to exit across the funding ladder benefiting investors, start-ups and the whole economy. www.justinvesting.com
We've raised over £3m to deliver our mission from leading global Angel Investors and The Angel Co-Fund.
As Commercial Director I'm leading the commercial strategy and enterprise sales for the company. Registered with the FCA as CF30
Title: Investment Director
Company: The Capital Fund
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 08-2012
Ends At: 08-2013
Description: The Capital Fund is a £50 million venture capital fund which backs fast-growing, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greater London. The Fund is the largest of the nine Regional Venture Capital Funds and has a mixture of public and private investors.
Title: Investment Director
Company: YFM Equity Partners
Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yfm-equity-partners/
Industry: Investment Management
Company Size: 11-50
Location: London Area, United Kingdom
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 06-2010
Ends At: 08-2013
Description: Private Equity and Venture Capital Investor working across YFM Equity Partners managed funds: British Smaller Companies VCT 1 & 2 Plc, The Capital Fund & London Seed Capital.
YFM Equity Partners is a leading investor in UK high growth, SME businesses with £385m under management investing between £250,000 and £8 million of equity funding across all sectors.
We have a strong track record of backing fast growing, innovative businesses and entrepreneurs whether through buy-outs, growth capital or partial sales.
YFM Group is the most active investor in UK SMEs (Source: Private Equity Insight).
Title: Investment Director
Company: London Seed Capital
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 2006
Ends At: 08-2013
Description: Investment Director for London Seed Capital an early stage venture capital fund investing into high growth technology companies in the South East of England. London Seed Capital was the first UK Government backed Early Growth Fund. Investments included Brandwatch: The worlds best social listening and analytics platform ($22m Investment Highland Capital - 13x partial exit)
Title: Investment Director
Company: London Business Angels
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: London
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 01-2008
Ends At: 06-2010
Description: London Business Angels (LBA) is one of Europe's leading Angel Investment Networks. We connect innovating fast growth technology companies to equity finance through our membership of experienced angel investors. Operating since the early 1980s, LBA has the longest track record in the business.
Investments included Brandwatch: The worlds best social listening and analytics platform ($22m Investment Highland Capital - 13x partial exit)
Through carefully selecting only the most innovative companies to present to our investors, we achieve significant results: Since 2000 LBA has helped over 200 companies successfully raise over £50 million.
Title: Investment Manager
Company: London Seed Capital & London Business Angels
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 02-2006
Ends At: 01-2007
Description: Gatekeeper to the London Business Angels network. Responsible for deal flow selection and also fund manager at London Seed Capital a co-investment early stage venture capital fund.
Title: Market Analyst
Company: University of Ulster (UK) - UUTech
Company URL: None
Industry: None
Company Size: None
Location: None
Country: None
Employment Type: None
Start At: 03-2004
Ends At: 01-2006
Description: UUTech is the wholly owned Technology Transfer and New Ventures vehicle of the University Of Ulster.
Education:
School: University of Glasgow
Degree: Bachelor’s Degree
Field: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
Period: 1995 - 1999
School: University of Strathclyde
Degree: PGDip - Post Graduate Diploma
Field: Information Technology Systems
Period: 1999 - 2000
School: Blundell's School
Degree:
Field:
Period: 1989 - 1994
School: Pyrland Hall
Degree:
Field:
Period: 1980 - 1986
Headline:
Space Venture Capitalist | General Partner @ Seraphim Space & Chair Seraphim Space Accelerator | Venture Capital, SpaceTech
Connections:
6408
Company Website:
https://seraphim.vc, https://generation.space/, http://www.xonaspace.com/, https://quadsat.com/
Skills:
Private Equity, Venture Capital, Angel Investing, Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Equities, Investments, Growth Capital, Corporate Finance, Corporate Development, Mergers & Acquisitions, Start-ups, Funding, Due Diligence, Portfolio Management, Emerging Markets, Restructuring, Valuation, Structured Finance, Venture Financing, Strategy, Asset Management, Investor Relations, Financial Structuring, Investment Banking, Financial Modeling, Business Valuation, M&A experience, Buyouts
Experience:
Title: General Partner/Managing Partner
Company: Seraphim Space
Location:
Start: Oct 2019
End: Present
Title: Seraphim Space Accelerator - Co-Founder & Chair
Company: Seraphim Space
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start: Dec 2017
End: Dec 2019
Title: Investment Director
Company: Seraphim Space
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start: Nov 2016
End: Oct 2019
Title: General/Managing Partner
Company: Generation Space
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Start: Aug 2022
End: Present
Title: Chair
Company: Seraphim Space Accelerator
Location: London, San Francisco, Singapore
Start: Dec 2017
End: Present
Title: Director Board Of Directors
Company: Xona Space Systems
Location:
Start: Apr 2020
End: Present
Title: Board Director
Company: QuadSAT
Location:
Start: Jul 2020
End: Present
Title: Board Observer
Company: LambdaVision, Inc.
Location: New Haven, CT
Start: Nov 2025
End: Present
Title: Investor
Company: Auriga Space
Location:
Start: Jul 2023
End: Present
Title: Investor
Company: Voyager Space
Location:
Start: Jul 2022
End: Present
Title: Investor
Company: Array Labs (YC S22)
Location: San Mateo County, California, United States
Start: Jun 2022
End: Present
Title: Investor
Company: constellr
Location:
Start: Nov 2022
End: Present
Title: Investor
Company: Ubotica Technologies
Location:
Start: May 2022
End: Present
Title: VC Investor
Company: Opteran
Location:
Start: Nov 2020
End: Present
Title: Investor Observer
Company: Nu Quantum
Location:
Start: Sep 2020
End: Present
Title: Board Observer
Company: Altitude Angel
Location:
Start: Aug 2020
End: Present
Title: Steering Board
Company: SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology
Location:
Start: Aug 2021
End: Sep 2023
Title: Non Executive Director
Company: Capital Enterprise
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start: Dec 2018
End: Jan 2021
Title: Commercial & Investment Director - Co-Founder
Company: JustInvesting
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start: Feb 2013
End: Oct 2016
Title: Investment Director
Company: The Capital Fund
Location: London
Start: Aug 2012
End: Aug 2013
Title: Investment Director
Company: YFM Equity Partners
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start: Jun 2010
End: Aug 2013
Title: Investment Director
Company: London Seed Capital
Location:
Start: 2006
End: Aug 2013
Title: Investment Director
Company: London Business Angels
Location: London
Start: Jan 2008
End: Jun 2010
Title: Investment Manager
Company: London Seed Capital & London Business Angels
Location:
Start: Feb 2006
End: Jan 2007
Title: Market Analyst
Company: University of Ulster (UK) - UUTech
Location:
Start: Mar 2004
End: Jan 2006