Gwen Griffin, Foundeer & CEO, Griffin Communications Group/Chair, Texas Space Commission

In an interview with Invest:, Gwen Griffin, founder and CEO of Griffin Communications Group, discussed the convergence of civil, commercial, and defense space, the growing importance of strategic communications, and the workforce and investment needed to support the next phase of the U.S. space economy. “We need to help people understand that space careers are not limited to engineers. We need communications professionals, accountants, attorneys, manufacturers, scientists, and many others,” Griffin said.

What are the strengths shaping the aerospace and space industry, and how are they influencing Griffin and the Texas Space Commission?

I see a convergence of the civil space industry, which is NASA, the commercial space industry, made up of private companies and nonprofits, and the military and defense space sector.

One of the biggest changes affecting both my clients at Griffin Communications Group and my role as chair of the Texas Space Commission is the need for speed. Space has long been a peaceful domain that allowed us to explore low Earth orbit, the moon, and beyond. Today, there is greater urgency because other nations are competing for leadership in space.

From a communications perspective, many innovative companies are moving into the sector to support organizations such as NASA and the U.S. Space Force. They are racing to deliver new technologies, hardware, and access to space. We need more launches, more infrastructure, and more capabilities in low Earth orbit, cislunar space, and on the lunar surface as we work toward future missions to Mars.

Griffin Communications is about helping these companies tell their story. Many are raising capital or pursuing government contracts, so they need to explain what they do and why it matters. I have never seen private equity, venture capital, sovereign wealth funds, and state funding become available at the pace they are today.

From the Texas Space Commission’s perspective, the focus is different. We are investing taxpayer resources to strengthen the space economy by creating infrastructure, testing facilities, and an ecosystem where companies can grow together. Workforce is also one of our greatest challenges. We need engineers, advanced manufacturing professionals, and skilled tradespeople. That is not just a Texas issue. It is a national challenge.

What progress have you seen in investments to grow the space economy, and what opportunities have the greatest potential for future growth?

I am excited by the commitment private equity, family offices, venture capital, and sovereign wealth funds are making to space innovation. That investment is reshaping how the United States approaches space.

NASA and the Space Force cannot do it alone. They need commercially led companies to help deliver capabilities because the need has grown beyond what government budgets alone can support.

One of the biggest changes is the level of private investment flowing into the sector. We are seeing companies move toward IPOs and create opportunities for additional capital to reach emerging businesses.

Private investment supporting national security, commercial space, and civil space programs is one of the most encouraging developments I see.

As a communicator, it can sometimes be difficult to help the public understand why we invest in space. I like Blue Origin’s phrase, “Space for the benefit of Earth.” It captures the idea that the work being done in space ultimately improves life here on Earth.

What are organizations most focused on as they plan for 2027 and beyond?

Many companies are looking for local and state partners to help them grow through incentives and infrastructure. Large aerospace companies and emerging commercial businesses already have contracts to deliver technology to government agencies, and they are working under aggressive timelines. Returning humans to the moon requires companies throughout the supply chain to move quickly.

Support from economic development organizations, state programs, and other financing tools can help companies scale faster. Ultimately, the priority is speed, because they have to deliver for their customers.

How has the role of strategic communications changed as the industry has become more complex and technology-driven?

In the B2B market, communications companies help businesses explain their unique capabilities and where they fit within the broader space ecosystem. There are many new companies entering the industry, and they need to build awareness among customers, investors, and government leaders.

From the public perspective, communications also plays an important role in workforce development. Many young people never imagine themselves working in space because they have never met someone in the industry. I have friends who became astronauts or flight directors after growing up in rural communities where they never expected those opportunities.

We need to help people understand that space careers are not limited to engineers. We need communications professionals, accountants, attorneys, manufacturers, scientists, and many others. These are rewarding careers with excellent opportunities.

What does success look like for Texas’ space economy over the next five years, and what will be necessary to achieve that vision?

Texas is already a business-friendly state with a strong quality of life, excellent educational institutions, and world-class healthcare. Those strengths make it an attractive place for companies to grow.

The Texas Space Commission and other state organizations have an opportunity to help expand the space economy by supporting infrastructure that allows companies to manufacture at scale. Many businesses have outstanding technologies, but they need to grow rapidly over the next one to two years.

As a small-business owner, I understand how difficult it is to scale without investment. Whether it comes from investors, loans, or state programs, access to capital is critical.

I feel honored to have been appointed by the governor to the Texas Space Commission to help determine how we can best invest in companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations that contribute to Texas’ growing space economy.

I am a second-generation member of the space industry, but I studied communications, journalism, and public relations at the University of Central Florida. For a long time, I did not think I had a place in this industry because I was not an aerospace engineer like my father.

Eventually, I realized I could contribute by helping tell these stories. Through communications, I can help the public understand why space matters and help leaders understand why continued investment is important. I finally figured out how to be a part of it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

As a small-business owner headquartered in Bay Area Houston, I can honestly say my company would not be where it is today without organizations like the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the Greater Houston Partnership.

I am approaching 30 years as a business owner, and Houston has always been a can-do business environment. During the first decade of my company, those organizations and the people leading them gave me encouragement, guidance, and opportunities.

I started my business without outside investment or debt. I had a few clients who were willing to pay a retainer, and that allowed me to build the company from there. Looking back, I am grateful to the mentors and champions who helped me along the way.

I have not experienced that same level of support everywhere that I have done business. In Houston, people truly take you under their wing and help you succeed. I appreciate that tremendously, and I try to pay it forward through my volunteer work with the Texas Space Commission.

This industry is in my DNA. It has always been a passion, and I am grateful that I found a way to contribute by helping others understand why space matters and why the work being done today benefits all of us.