Company Research Report: Apex

Company Overview

Name and Mission of the Company

Name: Apex

Mission: Enable humankind’s access to space by becoming the largest supplier of spacecraft platforms in the galaxy.

Founders and Key People

Founded: 2022

Founders: Ian Cinnamon (CEO) and Max Benassi (CTO)

Key People:
1. Ian Cinnamon - CEO
2. Max Benassi - CTO
3. Andrew Berg - VP of Business Development
4. Shandy Asturias - Mission Manager
5. Alexa Villa - AIT Technician

Headquarters

Location: 5331 McConnell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Number of Employees

No information is available

Revenue of the Company

No information is available

Known For

Apex is known for solving the bottleneck in spacecraft manufacturing by providing standard, productized satellite bus platforms at scale, configurable to customer needs, and designed for rapid delivery.

Products

Overview

Apex offers a range of small satellite bus models ranging from 100 to 500 kg, with various configuration packages to meet different mission requirements. The key models include Aries, GEO Aries, Nova, and Comet.

Product Descriptions and Key Features

Aries

Payload Mass: 150 kg

Payload OAP: 200-800 W

Dimensions: 865 x 1170 x 560 mm

Key Features: Configurable for different missions in LEO, rapid delivery, compatible with Falcon 9 Rideshare

User Guide: Aries User's Guide and CAD File available

GEO Aries

Payload Mass: 125 kg

Payload OAP: 115 W

Dimensions: 1350 x 500 x 600 mm

Key Features: Configured for geostationary orbit missions, compatible with ESPA envelope

User Guide: GEO Aries User's Guide (Coming Soon) and CAD File (Coming Soon)

Nova

Payload Mass: 300-500 kg

Payload OAP: 1-2 kW

Dimensions: 850 x 1250 x 650 mm

Key Features: High flexibility for various LEO missions

User Guide: Nova User’s Guide (Coming Soon) and CAD File (Coming Soon)

Comet

Payload Mass: 500 kg

Payload OAP: 3-6+ kW

Dimensions: 865 x 1170 x 560 mm

Key Features: High power capabilities, large payload volume, LEO focused

User Guide: Base Configuration Specification Sheet (Coming Soon)

End-to-End Services

1. Payload Integration and Test
2. Ground Service Integration
3. Licensing
4. Launch Booking
5. Mission Operations
6. Financing

Recent Developments

New Products Launched

1. GEO Aries Satellite Bus - Developed for geostationary orbit missions.
2. Introduction of Standard Satellite Bus Models - Including Aries, GEO Aries, Nova, and Comet.

New Features Added to Existing Products

1. Apex Virtual Flatsat™ - Software-only flatsat for emulating any Apex bus model and configuration.
2. Bus Emulator™ - For testing payload against flight-representative physical interfaces.
3. Mechanical Interface Validation - Provides standard Apex bolt pattern for mechanical fit checks.

New Partnerships

1. Booz Allen Hamilton - Enabled customer payload for Booz Allen Hamilton as part of Aries SN1 Call to Adventure Mission.

Funding and Financial Developments

1. Series B Funding - Raised $95M led by investors such as XYZ Venture Capital, CRV, Upfront, 8VC, Toyota Ventures, Point72 Ventures, Mirae Asset Capital, Outsiders Fund, and GSBackers. Existing investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Shield Capital, J2 Ventures, and Ravelin.
2. Series A Funding - Raised $16M with investors Andreessen Horowitz and Shield Capital.

Infrastructure Developments

1. Factory One - New permanent facility in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, capable of scaling production to 50 spacecraft annually by 2025.
2. Rapid Manufacturing Approach - Completing the Aries spacecraft from design to space flight in just 12 months.

Media and Appearances

1. Numerous Media Features - Appearances in podcasts, news articles, and interviews discussing the company’s vision, mission, and recent developments.