Dr. Kam Ghaffarian

Founder

Dr. Kam Ghaffarian is a visionary entrepreneur and engineer with a passion to advance humanity and expand human knowledge. Specializing in aerospace, disruptive technologies, and strategic business leadership, he has launched multiple industry-leading firms, two of which have achieved unicorn status, each surpassing $1 billion in valuation.

He co-founded, bootstrapped, and scaled Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), transforming it into NASA’s second-largest engineering provider before its $375 million sale in 2018.

Currently, Dr. Ghaffarian is the founder and CEO of IBX, an innovation and investment firm. He also serves as the co-founder and Executive Chairman of groundbreaking companies like X-energy, an advanced nuclear energy pioneer; Intuitive Machines, a space exploration and services firm that became the first commercial company to land on the Moon; Axiom Space, building the first commercial space station; Quantum Space, creating infrastructure for deep space commerce; and PTX, a space engineering services and technology firm.

Beyond his business pursuits, Dr. Ghaffarian has made a significant mark in the philanthropic sphere launching two non-profit organizations, including the Limitless Space Institute, promoting STEM education and research in interstellar space exploration.

Inspired by the Apollo program, Dr. Ghaffarian migrated from Iran to the U.S. as a teenager, to pursue higher education. He achieved degrees in computer science, electronics engineering, and a doctorate in technology. Throughout his illustrious career, he has cultivated partnerships across the defense, space, energy, and technology domains, championing for sustainable and transformative technologies to benefit our planet and pave the way for future generations on Earth, in Space and beyond.