Mark Matossian co-founds Whipsmart Ventures to fund space and deep tech
Mark Matossian, a former leader at Iceye US and Terra Bella, has launched a new venture capital firm called Whipsmart Ventures. He joins forces with Lylan Masterman and Judy Robinette to provide capital and guidance to startups in the space and deep tech sectors. The firm aims to solve a specific problem in the current investment climate where companies often struggle to move past the initial prototyping phase.
Data from the Seraphim Space Index shows that space tech companies raised $7.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026. Despite this capital, many startups falter when moving from a laboratory setting to a commercial scale. This gap represents the primary focus for Whipsmart Ventures. The firm intends to lead or co-lead Series A rounds for companies with teams of 10 to 20 people that have already demonstrated a prototype but need assistance securing final product-market fit.
The investment strategy at Whipsmart differs from funds that write numerous small checks. Matossian and his partners plan to make significant investments and take active board seats to help founders navigate the risks associated with scaling operations. They emphasize the importance of coaching startups to manage cash flows carefully, especially during periods of economic volatility.
Whipsmart identifies seven specific areas for potential disruption. These include position, navigation and timing systems, autonomous robotics, and real-time intelligence for disaster and defense monitoring. The firm also targets investments in sovereign cloud infrastructure, orbital compute, resilient energy systems, and global broadband connectivity. While these areas represent their primary interest, the team remains open to exceptional companies outside these categories.
By focusing on the transition phase between initial development and full-scale commercialization, Whipsmart Ventures positions itself to support the long-term viability of deep tech firms. Matossian and his co-founders bring a mix of engineering, venture capital, and operational experience to the boardrooms of the companies they back.