LEAP
Develops rapid-response, mass-producible launch vehicles and space logistics systems for national security and commercial customers using 3D-printed rocket engines
- CEO / Founder
- Chris Beckman
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Latest Round
- Strategic Investment
- Key Investors
- ONE Funds (Colorado ONE Fund); ONE Bow River National Defense Fund
Technology & Products
Key Products
Bullfrog (reusable unmanned suborbital vehicle for point-to-point logistics, hypersonic testing, microgravity research; range up to 7,000 km; payload up to 1,000 kg); Bighorn (mass-producible, transportable rapid-response launch vehicle for orbital, point-to-point, and deterrence missions; LEO payload up to 350 kg); ISR space vehicles; hypersonic testing/targets (Mach 15+); forward-deployed launch operations (6 sites, 30+ vehicles/year per facility)
Technological Advantage
Patented Dual Mode Rocket Engine (DMRE) technology; 3D-printed rocket engines using proprietary metallurgy and alloy formulations; 90% part-count reduction; simplified tooling and fabrication; modular vehicle families with common parts; mobile launch platform with 24-hour notice capability
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Proprietary Dual Mode Rocket Engine (DMRE) with up to 90% fewer parts than conventional engines, enabling mass-manufacturable, low-cost, rapid-response launch vehicles that can deliver payloads globally in under 45 minutes
How They Differentiate
90% fewer engine parts via DMRE and additive manufacturing; mass-manufacturable, transportable launch systems; forward-deployed launch sites for global coverage; SSTO-capable architecture reduces complexity; focus on simplicity as a force multiplier rather than performance optimization
Market & Competition
Target Customers
US Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency, Space Systems Command); national security community; commercial satellite operators; government agencies needing responsive launch
Industry Verticals
Aerospace & Defense; National Security; Commercial Space Logistics; Hypersonic Testing; Earth-to-Earth Point-to-Point Logistics
Competitors
Rocket Lab; SpaceX (rideshare/Transporter); Relativity Space
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Growing from 11-50 employees; planning 460 new jobs over 8 years at $149,960 avg wage; secured $8M in state tax incentives for expansion
Major Milestones
Patented Dual Mode Rocket Engine (DMRE); Successful hot fire test of Bullfrog-001 (2026); Successful launch of Bullfrog 001 demonstrating responsive space logistics; $8M Colorado tax credit award for 460-job expansion (May 2026); SBIR Phase I award from USAF (2024)
Notable Customers
US Missile Defense Agency; US Space Systems Command; US Space Force