He changed his name to Rocket, launched New Zealand's first private space vehicle, and became the first Kiwi in space 🚀

Meet Mark Rocket, a pioneering New Zealand entrepreneur who transitioned from playing in rock bands to launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket into space with Rocket Lab 🛰️.

Now leading Kea Aerospace, he's innovating in stratospheric drone technology. In this episode, Mark dives deep into his unconventional journey—from growing up in a grungy Christchurch, making groundbreaking strides in aerospace 🌌, and achieving his lifelong dream 🌠 as the first Kiwi to journey into space aboard Blue Origin's suborbital rocket 🚀.

Mark shares candid insights on overcoming skepticism, navigating co-founder dynamics, and how his passion for space technology led him to invest in and co-found Rocket Lab alongside Peter Beck. Discover how Kea Aerospace is revolutionizing environmental monitoring 🌱, telecommunications, and disaster response from the stratosphere. Also, hear Mark’s bold truths about balancing entrepreneurship with personal well-being, and what it means to be New Zealand's first citizen astronaut 👨‍🚀.

Key Topics:

🚀 Launching the Southern Hemisphere's First Private Rocket

🌏 From Busking in Europe to Aerospace Entrepreneurship

🤝 Co-founding Rocket Lab & Navigating Early Challenges

✈️ Innovating with Stratospheric Drone Technology

🌌 Why New Zealand is a Unique Aerospace Hub

🛠️ Entrepreneurship: Making It Happen Against All Odds

🛰️ First Kiwi in Space with Blue Origin

🔮 Future Vision for Kia Aerospace & Global Expansion

🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353

Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com🔗 Learn more about NZVC:

Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz

Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/

Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/

⏰ 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 Innovation43:22 - 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

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