Pete Martin
Welcome back to the MSU Research Foundation podcast. I’m Pete Martin, and I’m joined today by Parker Boundy, CEO and founder of General Orbit. Parker, welcome to the show.
Parker Boundy
Thanks for having me.
Pete Martin
We’re glad to have you—this is our fourth and final PitchMI podcast, so it’s great to wrap it up with you.
Parker Boundy
This is awesome. Excited to share a bit of the story.
Pete Martin
For folks who don’t know you yet, can you give a quick overview—who you are, what General Orbit is, and what you’re building?
Parker Boundy
Yeah—General Orbit is a spinout from my co-founder’s research lab at the University of Michigan. I got connected through Michigan’s Innovation Partnership group—the tech transfer office—focused on commercializing research.
My co-founders had invented a really interesting satellite technology. The core challenge is this: sensors on satellites are usually mounted on a long boom—basically a big stick—to keep them away from interference. We’re solving how to bring those sensors inside the satellite, which reduces cost, weight, and complexity.
I joined to lead commercialization, and it’s been a wild ride. Through customer discovery, we realized this same technology has huge applications on Earth too—airplanes, drones, cars, boats, submarines. So we’re excited about where it can go.
Pete Martin
And this didn’t just start recently—your co-founders have been at this for a while, right?
Parker Boundy
Yeah—my co-founder Mark has been working with magnetometers for 30-plus years. It’s his life’s work. He’s honestly one of the world’s leading experts. Lauro, my other co-founder, is an electrical engineer and sensor fusion expert—same story.
Being in a room with them is incredible. They’re easily the smartest people I know.
Pete Martin
And you connected with them through U of M’s Accelerate Blue Foundry program?
Parker Boundy
Exactly. I got connected at the end of 2024. We officially spun out the company last summer—late June, early July. Then PitchMI on October 1st was kind of our coming-out-of-stealth moment. Probably a little earlier than planned, but it worked out great.
Pete Martin
Tell me about that program—what was the experience like?
Parker Boundy
U of M, like a lot of top research institutions, is trying to get more IP out of the lab and into the world. This program matches entrepreneurs with researchers.
They vetted about 50 projects that were close to commercialization. Over a few weeks, entrepreneurs got matched with teams, and then we went through a mini-accelerator—customer discovery, go-to-market, pitch development—ending with a demo day.
About a dozen companies made it through and licensed their technology. We licensed ours from the university. It was a great process, and they’ve continued to support us. I still talk to mentors from the program every week.
Pete Martin
I love that. And for people listening—there’s a ton of opportunity like this across Michigan. U of M, MSU, Wayne State, Michigan Tech—there’s incredible research just waiting to be commercialized.
You came from a manufacturing background, right?
Parker Boundy
Yeah, I was working in Metro Detroit at a manufacturing firm.
Pete Martin
So not startups—and now you’ve made the leap. That’s what I love about this ecosystem. There are real pathways into entrepreneurship.
Let’s talk about how things have evolved. You started focused on satellites—how has that shifted?
Parker Boundy
Our core product is what we call a software-defined magnetometer—which is a fancy way of saying we use software to overcome physical limitations of traditional sensors.
A magnetometer measures magnetic fields. In space, it helps with positioning and navigation. Historically, you’d deal with interference using booms, shielding, or designing for “magnetic cleanliness”—all expensive and complex.
We take a different approach. Our tech filters out interference and isolates Earth’s magnetic field—without needing prior calibration. It’s plug-and-play. And we can even reconstruct individual interference sources.
That same problem exists everywhere—cars, planes, anything with electronics. So this unlocks a lot of applications.
Pete Martin
So how would you explain that to a kid?
Parker Boundy
Well, it’s easy with my nine-month-old—she just says “dada.”
But in simple terms: we can get extremely accurate sensor readings anywhere, and that enables things like magnetic navigation—using Earth’s magnetic field to determine location.
So if GPS fails—say in a city with tall buildings or for a drone—you still know exactly where you are. It’s a complementary or alternative system to GPS.
Pete Martin
That’s how I think about it—the future of GPS. More resilient, harder to spoof, more reliable.
Parker Boundy
Exactly. It has both commercial and defense applications, which makes it really exciting.
Pete Martin
You’ve had a lot of interest. Anything you can share?
Parker Boundy
We’re in that phase where sales cycles are long, but we’ve had strong conversations with commercial customers, space agencies, major space companies, and defense—both domestic and international.
Lots happening behind the scenes.
Pete Martin
That’s the fun—and frustrating—part. You can’t always talk about it yet.
Parker Boundy
Exactly. Hardware is hard, and the physics here are complex. But I’m incredibly proud of how fast our team is moving.
Pete Martin
That’s startup life. So what does the future look like if this technology scales?
Parker Boundy
More autonomy—cars, drones, robotics. This becomes a core enabling technology for systems we haven’t even imagined yet.
Pete Martin
That’s where things are headed.
Let’s talk about working with MSU Research Foundation—what’s that been like?
Parker Boundy
Amazing. The team has been incredibly helpful—not just supportive, but actually solving problems. Making real, valuable connections.
Pete Martin
We’re definitely using that quote.
Parker Boundy
You should. Honestly, if you’re building a startup in Michigan, connect with MSU Research Foundation early. They’re like an extension of your team.
Pete Martin
That’s the goal—be a value-added investor.
Let’s talk PitchMI. Do you remember deciding to apply?
Parker Boundy
Yeah—one of my mentors sent it to me. I wasn’t sure we were ready. But the application was quick, so I figured—why not?
Pete Martin
And you ended up winning $375K in Detroit. What’s the last few months been like?
Parker Boundy
A lot of growth—and a lot of fun. The prep events, improv training, pitch coaching—all super helpful. Not just for PitchMI, but as a founder.
Pete Martin
And connecting with the other finalists?
Parker Boundy
That’s been the best part. We’re not really competitors—we support each other. We’ve become friends.
Pete Martin
That’s exactly what we hoped for.
Parker Boundy
One thing I’m really proud of—we’ve doubled our team since PitchMI. From three to six. And all new hires are from Michigan universities—two from U of M, one from MSU, who’s actually relocating back to Michigan for this.
Pete Martin
That’s the dream.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about starting a company?
Parker Boundy
Go get coffee with other founders. Learn from them. Make sure it’s for you—it’s hard. High highs, low lows. Sometimes in the same day.
Build a community. You’ll need it.
Pete Martin
Great advice. And for PitchMI?
Parker Boundy
Apply. You have nothing to lose. You’ll sharpen your story, and if you get selected, it’s an incredible platform.
Pete Martin
Even applying creates opportunities—we get to know you.
Final question—you’re building a company and raising a family. How do you manage that?
Parker Boundy
It’s tough. But I don’t think in terms of work-life balance. When I’m with my kids, I’m fully present. Laptop down, phone away.
After they go to bed, I work. Those focused hours with them matter—and honestly, I get more out of it than they do.
Pete Martin
So it’s possible?
Parker Boundy
It is. It’s hard—but worth it.
Pete Martin
Where can people learn more?
Parker Boundy
Generalorbit.com or email me—parker@generalorbit.com.
Pete Martin
Perfect. Thanks again, Parker. And that wraps up our PitchMI podcast series.
Parker Boundy
Thanks for having me.
