Mike Collett is a managing partner at Promus Ventures who advocates for giving founders quick, direct rejections rather than leaving them waiting, and has built a reputation as a go-to early investor specifically for space companies through personal investments in leaders like Rocket Lab and Spire. He writes candid guidance for founders on tough topics like equity allocation and startup weaknesses, often using analogies from industries like craft beer to explain business strategy in accessible terms.

• Deep interest in autonomous robotics and hardware automation applied to physical industries. The feed consistently highlights investments in companies modernizing supply chains, manufacturing, and healthcare through automation. Notable examples include celebrating funding rounds for Mytra, which focuses on supply chain operating systems, and Diligent Robots, which deploys service robots in hospital environments to alleviate staff shortages.
• A strong thesis on space technology and satellite infrastructure. There is frequent coverage of the maturing space market, including speaking engagements at events like the SmallSat Symposium. Tweets regularly feature milestones for ICEYE, a satellite company tracked from early investment through significant growth, as well as mentions of Rocket Lab and lunar exploration startups like Lunar Outpost.
• Highlights a global investment strategy that looks well beyond Silicon Valley. The updates frequently identify the specific location of portfolio companies, showing enthusiasm for deep tech hubs in Europe and New Zealand. Specific mentions include Munich-based Fernride for autonomous trucking, Helsinki-based ICEYE, and Auckland-based Halter for smart farming technology.
• Focuses on the application of artificial intelligence to physical hardware and infrastructure rather than purely software solutions. This includes celebrating funding for Encube, which uses AI for hardware design, and Recycleye, which utilizes AI for robotic waste picking. The interest lies in how software intelligence enables physical machines to operate more efficiently in the real world.
• Prioritizes long-term founder partnerships, often pointing out entry at the seed stage while celebrating Series B, C, or D announcements years later. This signals a commitment to the entire lifecycle of a startup. A clear example is the mention of leading Halter's seed round in 2017 and continuing to invest through their Series C financing, as well as supporting Chef Robotics from their 2021 seed round through recent growth financing.