Matt Gialich: The Visionary CEO Behind AstroForge’s Asteroid Mining Ambitions
In the rapidly evolving world of aerospace and space exploration, one name that is gaining increasing recognition is Matt Gialich. Known for his innovative leadership and ambitious vision, Gialich is the Co-Founder and CEO of AstroForge, a California-based startup with the goal of becoming the world’s first efficient asteroid mining company. From humble beginnings and a childhood dream of building rockets, to appearing on the Shawn Ryan Show and leading multi-million-dollar space ventures, his journey reflects determination, technical mastery, and entrepreneurial courage.
This article dives deep into Matt Gialich’s life, career, education, and ventures, offering a complete perspective on how he is reshaping the future of space resources and technology.
Early Life and Education
Academic Background
Matt Gialich pursued his passion for engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from 2006 to 2010. His strong academic performance and research interests pushed him to continue, and he completed a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 2012, graduating with a 3.8 GPA.
During his university years, Gialich was involved in student research projects with companies such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, working on advanced radar and high-frequency mixer projects. His education set the foundation for the highly technical career that followed, blending aerospace, avionics, and advanced navigation systems.
Early Career Path
NASA Internship
In 2011, Gialich interned at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, contributing to lunar and planetary science projects. His work included MATLAB modeling of lunar dust behavior in electromagnetic fields and analyzing anomalies in Surveyor 7 images.
Toyon Research Corporation
From 2012 to 2014, he worked as an Analyst at Toyon Research Corporation. Here, he gained significant experience in navigation filtering, sensor fusion with Unscented and Extended Kalman Filters, and embedded C++ development. His contributions supported UAV design and advanced navigation research for defense-related projects.
Matternet
In 2014, Gialich joined Matternet, a pioneer in drone technology, as a Navigation Engineer. His focus was on UAV navigation systems, which provided him with additional experience in autonomous systems and aerial robotics.
Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit
Joining the Space Industry
By 2015, Gialich transitioned to the commercial space sector, joining Virgin Galactic. He advanced quickly through the ranks, serving as Software Engineer, Lead Software Engineer, and later Manager and Senior Manager of Avionics Software and Test. His leadership in developing avionics software positioned him as a trusted expert in spacecraft software systems.
Virgin Orbit
In 2017, he moved to Virgin Orbit, taking on the role of Senior Manager of Software and GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control). During his two years at Virgin Orbit, he managed critical software teams and worked on LauncherOne, the company’s small satellite launch system. His leadership in GNC engineering and software was vital in pushing forward Virgin Orbit’s ambitious launch goals.
Leadership at Bird
After leaving Virgin Orbit, Gialich pivoted to a completely different industry by joining Bird, the electric scooter company, in 2019. Over a year and a half, he worked as Senior Manager of Firmware and later as Director of Embedded Engineering. His work at Bird focused on developing vehicle software for Bird 2 and Bird 3 scooters, strengthening his expertise in consumer mobility technology.
This experience outside aerospace gave him a broader entrepreneurial perspective and directly influenced his next major move.
Ex Scientia Technologies
In 2021, Gialich founded Ex Scientia Technologies, serving as its CEO for a year. The company was a steppingstone toward his ultimate vision: building a business that operated at the intersection of advanced technology and space exploration. Ex Scientia helped refine his entrepreneurial approach and set the stage for his most ambitious company yet.
Founding AstroForge
The Vision
In January 2022, alongside his colleague Jose Acain, Gialich co-founded AstroForge, headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. The company’s mission is nothing short of groundbreaking: to make asteroid mining a practical, near-term solution for preserving Earth’s critical resources.
AstroForge focuses on extracting platinum-group metals (PGMs) from asteroids, materials that are rare and essential for modern technology. By sourcing these from space, the company aims to reduce environmental impacts from terrestrial mining and create a sustainable supply chain.
Funding
AstroForge secured $13 million in seed funding in 2022, led by Initialized Capital. By August 2024, the company raised an additional $40 million in Series A funding, bringing its total to more than $55 million. Despite operating with a small team of around 10 employees, the company reported revenues exceeding $19 million over four years, showcasing both efficiency and promise.
Missions
AstroForge has already attempted several ambitious missions:
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Brokkr-1 (April 2023): A cubesat launched to test metal extraction in space. The mission faced technical challenges, but valuable lessons were learned.
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Odin (February 2025): A spacecraft intended to observe a target asteroid, launched as part of a lunar rideshare mission. Unfortunately, communication issues resulted in mission loss.
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Vestri (Upcoming): Planned as the company’s first spacecraft to directly engage with a metallic asteroid.
Public Engagements
Appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show
In August 2025, Matt Gialich appeared on The Shawn Ryan Show (Episode #226). He discussed AstroForge’s vision, the challenges of mining in space, radiation risks, deep space communication hurdles, and even touched on debunking alien myths. His appearance introduced him and AstroForge to a much broader audience, raising awareness of asteroid mining as a real-world solution rather than science fiction.
Matt Gialich’s Age and Net Worth
While exact details about Matt Gialich’s age remain private, his career timeline suggests he is in his mid-to-late 30s. He began his undergraduate studies in 2006 and has accumulated more than 15 years of professional experience since then.
As for net worth, specific personal figures are not disclosed. However, with AstroForge’s strong funding rounds and his long career in aerospace and technology, it is reasonable to assume that his financial standing is significant.
Matt Gialich on Wikipedia
Currently, Matt Gialich does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. However, his company AstroForge has gained coverage in reputable outlets, and information about him can be found on AstroForge’s website, interviews, and public appearances. Given his rising prominence, it is likely that a dedicated entry will emerge in the near future.
Legacy and Impact
Matt Gialich is a visionary who took his childhood dream of building rockets and transformed it into a mission that could redefine humanity’s relationship with outer space. By combining his background in avionics, navigation, consumer technology, and leadership, he has positioned AstroForge at the forefront of asteroid mining innovation.
With appearances on mainstream platforms like The Shawn Ryan Show, successful funding rounds, and missions already underway, Matt Gialich is proving that asteroid mining is no longer science fiction—it’s a practical solution to the challenges facing Earth’s future.
Conclusion
From NASA internships and advanced avionics at Virgin Galactic, to leading embedded systems at Bird, and finally spearheading asteroid mining at AstroForge, Matt Gialich’s career is a testament to ambition and resilience. He represents a new generation of space entrepreneurs who combine deep technical expertise with the drive to solve humanity’s most pressing resource challenges.
While questions about his age, net worth, or even Wikipedia presence may remain, what is undeniable is that Matt Gialich is one of the leading figures to watch in the space industry. As AstroForge pushes forward with its bold missions, his name will only grow more prominent in shaping the future of humanity’s presence in deep space.
