‹ AST SpaceMobile
Ch 4 · The Founder's Moonshot
Chapter 4 · Management
A founder's bet on connecting phones to space.
Abel Avellan has taken AST from idea to satellites in orbit — the hard part is still ahead.
↓ scroll to read
✦ The bottom line
Founder and CEO Abel Avellan — a satellite-industry veteran — has steered AST from a startup pitch to real satellites in orbit and a first call from space, while holding a controlling stake in the company.
↓ the brief below
The founder's track record
Pre-AST
Avellan builds and sells a previous satellite-communications company.
2017
Founds AST SpaceMobile to do what others called impossible: phone-to-satellite direct.
2021
Takes AST public via SPAC to fund the constellation; keeps voting control.
Now
Has satellites in orbit, FCC clearance, and ~60 carrier deals — but no full network yet.
Execution, measured · partner reach
3
B+
Management has signed carriers covering 3 billion+ subscribers and won U.S. government awards — turning a moonshot pitch into contracted demand and regulatory wins.
Source · 8-K · Item 2.02 — business update (partner ecosystem & government awards) · Q1 2026 · Filed May 11, 2026
Skin in the game
Founder and CEO Abel Avellan holds high-vote shares that give him voting control of AST SpaceMobile, alongside a substantial economic stake.
↳ A founder this invested will fight hard for the company to succeed. The flip side, common in moonshots: he controls the votes, so outside holders are along for the ride.
Source · proxy · Security Ownership & voting control (per AST's 2026 DEF 14A) · Filed Apr 28, 2026
⚠
Watch
A proven, deeply-invested founder executing an audacious plan — but the hardest part is ahead.
You just finished
Chapter 4 · MANAGEMENT
The Founder's Moonshot
you now read: skin in the game
Up next
Then
Chapter 6 · RISK
Pre-Revenue, Pre-Profit, and Needs More