Join Millie Hall and Tom Wilding for an in-depth conversation with Mike-Alec Kearney, CEO and Co-Founder of CubeSpace, as he shares the story of building a globally recognised satellite subsystems company from university research.

With over 600 attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) delivered to more than 40 countries, CubeSpace has become a leader in the new space market.

In this episode, Mike-Alec discusses three critical themes: his founding journey from accidental space engineer to obsessive problem-solver, CubeSpace’s strategic approach to vertical integration (and why specialisation wins), and the company’s intentional people-first culture built through servant leadership and vulnerability.

Discover how Microsoft Word brochures led to a multimillion-dollar business, why companies that tried vertical integration came back as customers, and how bootstrapping for 10 years kept CubeSpace laser-focused on customer needs. Mike-Alec offers candid insights on building sustainable culture, managing without investor pressure, and the transformative power of leadership vulnerability.

Key Topics

• Accidental path into space entrepreneurship
• Microsoft Word brochures to global supplier
• Why vertical integration isn’t always best
• Specialisation beats doing everything yourself
• Bootstrapped growth keeps customer focus sharp
• Servant leadership creates sustainable teamwork
• Vulnerability transforms defensive conversations into collaboration
• Culture requires intentional systems and daily practice

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:20 Mike-Alec’s Journey into the Space Industry

04:35 Challenges and Growth at Cube Space

13:19 Leadership and Industry Insights

23:30 Specialised Control Systems and Customisability

25:39 Customer Support and Simulation Programs

30:29 European Expansion and Strategic Goals

33:42 Talent Management and Company Culture

About Our Guest

Mike-Alec Kearney is the CEO and Co-Founder of CubeSpace, a leading provider of attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) for small satellites. Founded straight out of university, CubeSpace has grown over 10 years into a globally recognised, multimillion-dollar company through bootstrapped, customer-focused growth. The company serves government agencies, high-tech R&D organisations, and commercial constellation operators worldwide, with systems deployed in over 40 countries.

Website: ⁠www.cubespace.co.za⁠

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