SCALING SPACE: The Space Industrial Leadership Forum

An invitation-based executive working session on the demand, capacity, capital, and policy conditions required to move U.S. space manufacturing into production at scale. Delegates are expected to contribute actively to a facilitated working session addressing the conditions required to move U.S. space manufacturing from prototype to production. Event details Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM–2:00 PM Pacific Time Venue: SpaceWERX / THE BR-DGE, El Segundo, California Format: In-person executive working session Access: Invitation and approved request Main event description Industrial capacity is strategic capacity. SpaceTech Economic Forum presents From Prototype to Production, a private executive working session on the industrial foundations of the U.S. space economy. The session brings together leaders responsible for investment, procurement, industrial operations, technology, and public priorities to examine one practical question: What must align to move U.S. space capability beyond promising prototypes and into reliable production at scale? Investment, procurement, and production decisions are often considered separately. This working session brings their owners into the same room to examine demand certainty, qualified capacity, financing, infrastructure, and the policy conditions for industrial expansion. This is designed as a working session rather than a conventional conference or open networking event. Participation is intended for people whose responsibilities, expertise, or institutional perspective make a substantive contribution to the discussion. Four Tracks: Demand & ProcurementHow customer commitments, qualification requirements, contracting, and risk allocation shape the case for expanding production. Industrial Capacity & ScaleThe equipment, workforce, standards, and qualified capacity required for repeat production—including the role of automation and adaptive manufacturing. Capital for ProductionHow investment, lending, working capital, equipment finance, and non-dilutive funding can align with industrial requirements. Infrastructure & Public PolicyHow facilities, permitting, workforce development, and government programs can support commercially viable industrial expansion. What the session is designed to produce A clearer view of the constraints connecting demand, qualification, capacity, capital, and policy. Priority buyer–supplier opportunities and potential production partners. A more precise understanding of financing requirements and relevant capital providers. Actionable infrastructure and policy priorities, with the institutions best positioned to advance them. A concise record of opportunities, responsible parties, and next steps. Opening perspectives Stephen CheungPresident & CEO, Los Angeles County Economic Development CorporationOpening keynote on U.S. industrial competitiveness, Southern California manufacturing, investment, and the path to scale. Ryan JohnsonManaging Partner, Subutai Capital PartnersCapital and capacity perspective on financing and scaling space, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing businesses. Wentao FuFounder, CentumakeManufacturing intelligence perspective on production capacity, demand visibility, and the industrial decisions required to scale. Tony GlebeRisk Strategist, IMA Financial GroupRisk, contracts, and insurance considerations affecting financing, customer commitments, and reliable production. Working agenda 8:00–8:30 AM — Executive arrival & breakfastArrival and introductions across industry, capital, government, and the institutions represented in the session. 8:30–8:40 AM — Opening context & working prioritiesThe industrial question, the responsibilities represented in the room, and the intended outputs from the working groups. 8:40–9:25 AM — Opening keynote & discussionStephen Cheung · President & CEO, LAEDC 9:25–9:40 AM — Coffee break 9:40–9:50 AM — Capital for productionRyan Johnson · Managing Partner, Subutai Capital Partners 9:50–10:10 AM — Manufacturing intelligence briefingWentao Fu · Founder, Centumake 10:10–10:20 AM — Risk, contracts & executionTony Glebe · IMA Financial Group 10:20–10:35 AM — Break & transition to working groups 10:35 AM–12:05 PM — Executive working groupsFour parallel groups examine demand, industrial capacity, capital, and public policy. Each group identifies priority constraints, opportunities for coordinated action, and responsible parties. 12:05–12:20 PM — Break & facilitator synthesis 12:20–1:00 PM — Working-group findingsPrincipal findings, proposed actions, commercial and institutional opportunities, and unresolved questions. 1:00–1:20 PM — Synthesis & next stepsConnect findings across groups, identify people positioned to act, and agree on priorities for follow-up. 1:20–2:00 PM — Executive lunch & continuing discussions The setting The session takes place at SpaceWERX / THE BR-DGE in El Segundo, at the intersection of government mission and commercial innovation. The setting connects the discussion to the institutions, companies, and capabilities shaping how space technology reaches operational use. Participation Participation is considered individually. To request an invitation, share your professional details and a brief note on the responsibilities, expertise, or strategic question you would bring to the session. The Forum team reviews requests in the context of the working priorities and the composition of the room. Approved participants will receive confirmation and practical joining details. Request an invitation to participate. SpaceTech Economic ForumWhere space policy meets capital and technology.