On-orbit satellite servicing for a more resilient space infrastructure
Starfish Space is building the resilience layer for space infrastructure. Founded in 2019, the company develops proprietary software that enables autonomous spacecraft to service satellites already in orbit, including those never designed to be serviced. That capability makes it possible to extend a satellite’s operational life, reposition it as mission requirements evolve, inspect it when something goes wrong, and retire it responsibly at end of life.
The services that orbiting satellites enable—weather forecasting, communications, navigation, climate monitoring—are foundational to how modern society functions. Maintaining the resilience and continuity of that infrastructure requires more than building and launching new satellites. Starfish is developing the capability to actively maintain and sustain what is already on orbit, reducing waste and extending the useful life of critical space assets.
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Paul Jordan
Partner
Paul leads the firm’s investment strategy around transportation & logistics, also focusing on AI, data, and the space economy.
Prior to Activate, Paul was an investor at Element Partners, a private equity firm with $850m of AUM focused on renewable energy and other sustainable industrial technologies.
Paul began his career at Piper Jaffray (PIPR), where he advised diversified industrial and applied technology companies on M&A.
Paul holds degrees in Public Policy and Economics from Duke University.
Emma Bell
Principal
Emma Bell is a Principal at Activate Capital, where she leads the firm’s investment strategy across digital and space infrastructure. She drives thematic coverage in energy infrastructure and financing, overseeing the full investment lifecycle from sourcing and diligence through execution and active portfolio support.
Prior to Activate, Emma was a Vice President at Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP), an investment firm backed by Alphabet, where she partnered with founders and leadership teams to evaluate, build, and invest in businesses developing technology-enabled infrastructure across energy, digital infrastructure, and robotics. Before SIP, she was an Investment Associate on JPMorgan’s Energy Infrastructure team. Emma began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst in JPMorgan’s New York office.
Emma holds a degree in Operations Research Engineering with a minor in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University.
Nicole Wilkinson
Associate
Nicole is an Associate on the Activate team, where she supports all parts of the investment process.
Prior to joining Activate, Nicole was an investment banker on Barclays’ Energy and Climate Technology team in New York. While at Barclays, she provided M&A, capital raise and restructuring advisory to both public integrated energy companies and growth stage innovators across renewable energy, energy technology and sustainable materials value chains. Nicole graduated from Williams College with a degree in Economics and Neuroscience.
