Former OpenAI executive Kevin Weil has joined the board of Stoke Space, the Seattle-based startup developing fully reusable rockets. The move adds another experienced technology leader to a company aiming to make orbital launch more efficient and more accessible.
Stoke CEO Andy Lapsa said Weil has supported the company since its early days, offering guidance on fundraising, strategy and growth. Weil and his wife, Elizabeth, also backed the startup through their fund, Scribble Ventures.
Founded in 2020, Stoke has raised $1.34 billion, including a $510 million Series D round in 2025, as it works toward the first flight of its Nova rocket. The company's long-term goal is rapid reuse: a vehicle designed to return, refly and lower the cost of access to space.
Weil's background spans product leadership and frontier technology. He previously served as OpenAI's chief product officer and later led efforts to accelerate scientific research. Before that, he held senior roles at Twitter, Meta and Planet Labs, where he also gained direct experience in the space sector.
Stoke's approach arrives at a moment when reusable launch systems are drawing intense interest across the industry. The company also sees potential in future markets such as space-based infrastructure, where lower launch costs could unlock new possibilities.
With Weil joining the board, Stoke gains an executive who understands both scaling digital platforms and navigating advanced technology ecosystems. If the company delivers on its roadmap, reusable launch could become a defining layer of the next space economy.