Mo Shahzad is not one for trivial conversations. At Relativity Space, he’s known for a deep curiosity that is often manifested by his engagement with team members in discussions about their interests and passions. This intellectual curiosity is not just a personal trait—it’s a vital tool toward empowering his role as CFO. Shahzad’s ability to connect on a personal level mirrors his professional mission: To translate the innovative dreams of Relativity Space’s founders into a compelling narrative for investors.
Read MoreRelativity Space, a trail-blazer in aerospace manufacturing, stands at a critical juncture. The company’s ambitious vision to revolutionize space travel through 3-D–printed rockets requires substantial funding to transition from prototype to mass production. Investors need more than just numbers—they need to believe in the vision and its feasibility. This is where Shahzad’s storytelling ability becomes indispensable.
Shahzad tells us that along the way, his career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and an ability to distill complex concepts into engaging stories. His experience has spanned sectors from investment banking to corporate finance to—now—aerospace, providing him with a unique perspective that resonates with diverse stakeholders. This breadth of knowledge, combined with his knack for storytelling, enables him to paint a vivid picture of Relativity Space’s potential, making its technical and financial aspects accessible and exciting for investors.
In a post-COVID world where hybrid work models prevail, Shahzad’s approach to leadership is more important than ever. He leverages every opportunity to connect with his team, understanding their motivations and challenges. This empathy and engagement ensure that he remains attuned to the company’s pulse, enabling him to articulate a coherent and compelling vision for investors.
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CFOTL: Tell us about Relativity Space … what does this company do, and what are its offerings today?
Shahzad: At the core of it, Relativity Space is just a next-generation launch company. We’re building a rocket that’s about 40% to 50% larger than Falcon 9, which arguably is the most successful commercial rocket that SpaceX has made. We’re going to take satellites up into orbit for customers. We’ve sent a smaller rocket up into space, in one of the most successful first-ever launches for anybody, which has resulted in a multi-billion-dollar backlog of launch agreements. We’re working on a larger rocket, too, that will launch in 2026—and we’ll quickly ramp from there.
Read MoreI continue to have the privilege of working with an amazing set of investors—not just public company–style but also crossovers like Fidelity and BlackRock. We have a bunch of growth-oriented venture capital firms, a couple of sovereign wealth funds, and some high-profile individuals, as well. At the core of some of what we’re doing is also additive technology, such as the 3-D printing of some of the parts of the rockets that we’re building .
So, while rocketry remains our core business, we do have a few other things that we do, too, such as interacting with the federal government’s needs and applying our knowledge of 3-D printing in consultation with large-scale manufacturing. This is lots of exciting stuff. We’re at the absolute forefront of technological advancement. As for me, I’m a lifelong learner—which is what keeps me curious here. I’ve spent 4 years in trying to walk the floor to learn everything that I can about what our great team is doing there, and this had been very valuable not only for me but also, I hope, for our company. jb
“Always think about how to move the business forward—and always wear a general manager’s, enterprise hat. The job isn’t about getting audits done and setting budgets.” –Muhammad Shahzad, CFO, Relativity Space
Relativity Space | www.relativityspace.com | Long Beach, CA