Investing in the Next Evolution of the Space Economy: A Conversation with Tom Mueller CEO of Impulse Space

Drew has worked in high-growth industries as both an investor and operator, focusing on how people and technology interact within organizations. As a long-time investor with Alumni Ventures, he has worked across multiple funds and internal initiatives. He has worked on National and State level political campaigns, focusing on Small Business and Entrepreneurial policy. Drew holds a BS from Northwestern University in Education and Social Policy, specializing in Learning & Organizational Development. He also served as an Ambassador for Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and was recognized in Chicago Inno’s 25 under 25.

Pete joins Alumni Ventures from the $1.5B+ venture capital arm of Bertelsmann, where he was a Senior Director across the European Union, China, and U.S startup ecosystems. Previously a fellow at .406 Ventures and alumnus of the Harvard Innovation Lab, Pete has substantial entrepreneurial and startup operating background. He has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth, an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School, a Master’s with Distinction from Oxford, and a BA (magna cum laude) from Dartmouth. He has recently been selected as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Pete has a creative core as drummer for the indie rock band Filligar, which has been designated as “Cultural Ambassador” by the U.S. Department of State. He is an avid skier, marathon runner, and ice hockey player.

Tom Mueller, Founder and CEO of Impulse Space, is considered one of the world’s leading spacecraft propulsion experts. He has over 30 years of propulsion development experience at TRW, SpaceX, and now Impulse Space. At TRW, he led development of the TR-106 liquid rocket engine. As one of SpaceX’s founding members, he led the development of propulsion systems for the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship Launch Vehicles, as well as the Dragon line of spacecraft. He played a crucial role in the development of the company’s reusable rocket technology, which has dramatically reduced the cost of launching payloads into space. Now as the leader of Impulse Space, he continues the development of new propulsion and power systems that will provide world class in-space transportation capabilities. Tom is building Impulse with the same engineering philosophy he created at SpaceX: by focusing on low cost and reliable systems realized through elegant engineering that does not follow convention. His ultimate vision for Impulse is to be the leading in-space transportation infrastructure that will accelerate the expansion of the overall space economy and help expand the human frontier into the stars.