Seattle’s growing space community gathered Tuesday evening for a conversation that blended technical insight, personal reflection, and hard truths about what it takes to build the next frontier.
The Asian Leaders in Space-Tech conference, part of Seattle Space Week, brought together founders, engineers, and investors who are shaping the next era of the industry while redefining representation and sustainability in the space sector.
Hosted by Actuate Ventures, Asian Hustle Network, and the Singapore Global Network, and sponsored by Cooley LLP, the event took place on October 8, 2025, at Washington 1000 in downtown Seattle.
A partner from Cooley LLP, head of the firm’s space delegation, opened the evening by emphasizing the significance of celebrating Asian leadership in space law and technology. The firm supports major corporations with the licensing and regulatory frameworks needed to launch and operate in orbit. She reflected on her own journey as an Asian professional practicing space law for over three years and the pride of seeing an event dedicated to Asian innovators in space.
“It’s special to stand in a room recognizing our impact in a field that once felt impossible to enter,” she said.
Chris Le of Actuate Ventures moderated a panel that showcased the diverse ecosystem of the space economy. Negar Feher, CEO of SpaceDock, is a 20-year industry veteran, formerly with Momentum Space and Maxar Technologies, who has developed modular AI network connectors “like a USB port for space”, to make spacecraft scalable and reusable. Matt Shieh, Chief Strategy Officer of Canopy Aerospace Defense, is a former Air Force officer leading global R&D in high-performance aerospace materials for launch vehicles and air systems. Yuk Chi Chan, CEO of Charter Space, is a former space lawyer who testified before the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and is now building software to connect spacecraft data to underwriting models, reducing insurance costs. Together, they demonstrated how finance, materials, and modularity are converging to form the backbone of a real space economy.
Negar Feher shared how she transitioned from her previous role to founding SpaceDock, a startup dedicated to developing the circular economy of space, where spacecraft components can be refueled, reconnected, and reused.
Her motivation was deeply personal: “I wanted to solve the problems I faced every day in mission management.”
SpaceDock’s first batch of connectors will launch next year aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17, serving customers in Asia. Feher credited her entrepreneurial parents for instilling confidence and acknowledged the privilege of having the stability to take such risks.
“I want other Asian and female founders to know this space is for them too,” she said. “It’s not impossible, just hard.”
Yuk Chi Chan shared his experience of immigrating from a dual-military family and discovering his full potential in the U.S. He noted the absence of Asian mentors in aerospace leadership and the persistence of stereotypes, including being asked if he was a “Chinese spy.”
“I don’t see my background as a setback,” he said. “It’s a strength. Our communities support one another.”
Feher addressed gender bias directly, recounting encounters with investors who made inappropriate remarks, from offering “Gucci bags” to comparing her to their wives.
“Being a woman founder,” she said, “has been a bigger challenge than being Asian.”
She urged women to speak up, build supportive networks, and advocate for greater representation of women in venture capital. Changes that are already starting to happen.
When asked about Seattle’s role in the global space landscape, panelists were enthusiastic.
Chan described Seattle as “vibrant and scenic,” acknowledging its deep aerospace roots and its rise as a hub for events like Starburst Accelerator.
Feher revealed that SpaceDock recently joined Plug and Play Seattle’s AI Center for Actions cohort, praising the region’s well-educated, collaborative talent base.
“People here remind me of the Bay Area, but more grounded,” she said. “Seattle’s becoming the next highway for space and AI.”
As the evening grew more intimate, panelists shared personal philosophies that resonated with aspiring founders in the audience.
Feher offered this to the women present: “In the worst case, you fall flat on your face, but you’ve learned a ton. In the best case, you’ve built something new. Don’t feel like you’re any less than the average white male you see. You’re just as capable, probably better at multitasking.”
Shieh spoke on resilience: “I left the Air Force with no savings and no backup plan. It was either make this company work or move back home at 33. That pressure made me focus.”
Both underscored a theme that ran through the night, with courage as the engine of innovation.
When Le asked the defining question about what’s next, the answers revealed the industry’s evolving challenges. Dr. Eugene Cameron argued that while the global space economy is valued at over $500 billion, most startups struggle with one thing: capital access. Space remains a capital-intensive industry with almost no private credit markets or debt instruments, forcing founders to rely solely on equity or early IPOs. “Our world runs on insurance,” he said. “It unlocks financing, and financing unlocks the next stage of the global economy.”
Matt Shieh described how Canopy Aerospace Defense is developing extreme-condition materials and building industrial infrastructure to make spaceflight safer and more sustainable. “We’re developing the business infrastructure of the next era,” he said. “And yes, we’re going to conquer the world.”
Negar Feher projected that “every industry on Earth will eventually go to space.” SpaceDock’s next focus is building plug-and-play infrastructure for space stations, satellites, and lunar landers, as well as launching a matchmaking platform connecting terrestrial companies to orbital platforms. “We’re not just building hardware,” she said. “We’re building the on-ramp for everyone who wants to enter space.”
A representative from TalentReach, a Seattle-based boutique recruiting agency located next door to the venue, closed the evening with gratitude. The firm specializes in engineering, product, and go-to-market recruiting for startups from seed stage through IPO.
“This community is inspiring,” the speaker said. “We’re proud to be part of it and to support what you’re building here.”
The evening transitioned into a happy hour sponsored by partner companies, with cocktails, local brews, and casual networking that lasted well into the night. The atmosphere captured what makes Seattle’s tech ecosystem distinct: a blend of ambition and approachability, where conversations about rocket materials, AI, and venture capital flow as easily as the drinks.
“There’s something special about this city,” one attendee reflected. “You can talk about orbit mechanics and funding strategies over a glass of wine, and everyone gets it.”
The Asian Leaders in Space-Tech conference was part of Seattle Space Week 2025, organized by Actuate Ventures, Asian Hustle Network, and Singapore Global Network, with sponsorship from Cooley LLP.
