Hi TechMates Community,
Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau here, bringing you another exciting conversation, this time featuring someone truly out of this world 🚀—powered by our guest's incredible journey as he will become the first Kiwi in space!
In today’s episode, we're joined by Mark Rocket, CEO of Kea Aerospace and New Zealand's pioneering space visionary. Starting from humble beginnings in Christchurch, Mark transformed his fascination with sci-fi and the cosmos into reality, launching New Zealand’s first private space vehicle and preparing now for his own trip to space aboard Blue Origin. This conversation explores Mark’s remarkable entrepreneurial journey and his passion for aerospace innovation.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 How to identify genuine passion that fuels entrepreneurship – Mark's top leadership insight.
💡 Why storytelling is key to winning hearts and minds – his standout communication takeaway.
🔥 Transforming aerospace in the Southern Hemisphere – the story behind Kea Aerospace’s ambitious mission.
🌍 Mark’s incredible path from Christchurch to the cosmos – insights from his personal and geographical journey.
🚀 His monumental achievement: becoming the first Kiwi in space – a groundbreaking career milestone.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Growing Up in Christchurch
07:42 - Early Life & Travels in Post-Cold War Europe
14:34 - Discovering the Internet & Early Career
19:12 - Starting New Zealand's First Internet Marketing Firm
29:04 - Selling a Company & Investing in Aerospace
30:36 - Meeting Peter Beck & Founding Rocket Lab
38:30 - Launching Kia Aerospace & Stratospheric Innovation
43:22 - Applications of Stratospheric Drones
49:54 - Transitioning Views on Defense Tech
55:03 - The Future of Aerospace in New Zealand
58:54 - Entrepreneurship Advice & Key Traits
1:03:08 - Personal Vision & Kia Aerospace’s Future
From Christchurch to Cosmos: The Journey of New Zealand's First Astronaut
Dream Big, Start Small
Mark Rocket’s fascination with space began with childhood wonder—sparked by sci-fi films and school projects about planets. Reflecting on his early days, he shares,
"As a kid, thinking about Earth's place in the galaxy and universe was just mind-blowing."
From humble beginnings, his entrepreneurial spark ignited early, eventually leading him to start New Zealand's first internet marketing company before venturing into aerospace.
Rockets & Resilience
Launching New Zealand’s first private space vehicle wasn't easy. Mark recalls the skepticism they faced,
"No one wanted to put their logo on a rocket that might blow up."
But persistence and belief in the mission helped overcome challenges. He emphasizes the value of determination:
"Some people just get it done, others tell you why they couldn’t."
Persistence through Challenges
At Kea Aerospace, Mark focuses on high-altitude drones for Earth observation, telecommunications, and atmospheric testing. This technology can transform disaster response, environmental monitoring, and even provide critical communication in emergencies. Mark explains,
"We’re closer than satellites, offering higher resolution and continuous monitoring—capabilities that don't yet exist."
Mark’s groundbreaking upcoming flight aboard Blue Origin symbolizes more than personal achievement—it marks a new era for Kiwi innovation in global aerospace. His story proves that bold dreams backed by persistent effort can truly take flight.
For more in-depth insights from Mark Rocket, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
Thanks for your support—we’re excited to have you with us!
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Happy listening,
The TechMates Team
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