Tejpaul Bhatia Career Journey: From Tech Entrepreneur to CEO of Axiom Space

 


Tejpaul Bhatia is a visionary technology and business leader with more than 25 years of experience, currently serving as the CEO of Axiom Space, a pioneering company in commercial space infrastructure and human spaceflight. Since joining Axiom in 2021 as Chief Revenue Officer, Bhatia has driven landmark deals and missions, positioning the company as a leader in low-Earth orbit innovation and commercial space exploration.

Early Career: From ESPN to Entrepreneurial Ventures

Bhatia’s career began in digital media at ESPN, where he was Senior Manager of Product and International Strategy. He successfully launched ESPN3’s online streaming services across the US, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe, gaining valuable experience in global product strategy and digital transformation.

Following ESPN, he founded and led several startups, including:

  •          Kaptur – a photo aggregation app for instant event photo collection
  •          Chatwala – a video chatting platform
  •          Explain Everything – an educational technology company

These entrepreneurial ventures sharpened his expertise in product innovation, fundraising, and scaling startups.

Strategic Leadership at Google and Citi Ventures:

Before joining Axiom Space, Tejpaul held key leadership roles at Google Cloud, where he managed startup ecosystems and engaged Fortune 100 CIOs to drive digital innovation. He also served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Citi Ventures, overseeing a portfolio of 15 startups and fostering fintech innovation.

Leading Axiom Space: Revolutionizing Commercial Human Spaceflight:

In 2021, Bhatia joined Axiom Space as Chief Revenue Officer, helping secure over $1 billion in contracts and leading historic missions, including sovereign government purchases of commercial astronaut flights to the International Space Station (ISS).

In April 2025, he was promoted to CEO of Axiom Space, succeeding co-founder Kam Ghaffarian. Under his leadership, Axiom is accelerating efforts to build the first commercial space station by 2030, authorized to connect with the ISS as early as 2027.

Educational Background and Philanthropy:

Tejpaul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Columbia University. He also contributes to the community through leadership roles in organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Startup Leadership Program.

Why Tejpaul Bhatia is a Key Figure in Space and Technology:

Bhatia’s blend of startup entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, and space industry leadership makes him a pivotal figure in the commercial spaceflight sector. His work at Axiom Space is helping transition space exploration into a vibrant private sector ecosystem, opening new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

 

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