First Check, with Adam Draper (Founder of Boost VC)

This week on Pathfinder, we welcome Adam Draper, founder and managing director of Boost VC, an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Mateo, CA, specializing in pre-seed deals in deep tech, including space.Boost VC’s track record includes early investments in space companies such as Varda, Starfish Space, and K2 Space. This episode explores the philosophy and strategy behind the firm’s approach to venture capital.In addition, we discuss:Adam’s journey into VC and the Draper family legacy in the industryThe firm’s commitment to backing “impossible” ideas and frontier technologiesInsights into investing in deep tech, from identifying committed founders to understanding market risksThe importance of storytelling and momentum in aerospace and defense startupsBoost’s role in shaping the future of space industries, from lunar water mining to satellite servicing and space manufacturingPredictions for the future of space and deep tech, including the rise of biopharma in orbit and even the search for extraterrestrial lifeAnd much more… • Chapters •00:00 - Intro00:45 - Adam's background07:48 - Boost VC11:57 - How do you tell a founder has commitment?14:04 - Signs of a founder with a real interest in space17:54 - Making the case for the space market20:51 - On the frontier23:01 - Signs Adam looks for when he needs to step in and direct a company28:20 - Investing in software vs. deep tech30:43 - Early-stage pre-seed investing38:07 - How would a founder differentiate themselves when it comes to fundraising?43:25 - How to stay ahead of the curve with investing in space48:36 - Craziest space deal Adam has invested in51:46 - Adam's 2025 predictions • Show notes •Boost VC website — https://www.boost.vc/Boost’s socials — https://x.com/BoostVCAdam’s socials — https://x.com/AdamDraperMo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspacePathfinder archive — Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@payloadspacePathfinder archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/episodes • About us •Pathfinder is brought to you by Payload, a modern space media brand built from the ground up for a new age of space exploration and commercialization. We deliver need-to-know news and insights daily to 19,000+ commercial, civil, and military space leaders. Payload is read by decision-makers at every leading new space company, along with c-suite leaders at all of the aerospace & defense primes. We’re also read on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon, and at space agencies around the world.Payload began as a weekly email sent to a few friends and coworkers. Today, we’re a team distributed across four time zones and two continents, publishing five media properties across multiple platforms:1) Payload, our flagship daily newsletter, sends M-F @ 9am Eastern2) Pathfinder publishes weekly on Tuesday mornings (pod.payloadspace.com)3) Polaris, our weekly policy briefing, publishes weekly on Tuesdays4) Payload Research, our weekly research and analysis piece,  comes out on WednesdaysYou can sign up for all of our publications here: https://payloadspace.com/subscribe/