Abel Avellan, the visionary founder of AST SpaceMobile, was born in Venezuela, where he completed his early training as an engineer. His formative years were spent mastering the technical complexities of communication and network infrastructure, a foundation that would eventually lead him to the cutting edge of the global space industry.

After completing his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Avellan went on to work for the Swedish communications giant Ericsson. This critical early experience exposed him to large-scale, professional network operations. His background is defined by a passionate belief in the 'transformative power of connectivity' after witnessing firsthand in places like Africa how internet access can 'empower people' and uplift communities economically and socially, a conviction that fuels his current mission. He is now a proud United States citizen, residing in Midland, Texas.

Abel Avellan’s career is a two-act entrepreneurial saga in the satellite industry. His first major success came in 2000 when he founded Emerging Markets Communications (EMC), starting the venture with a modest $50,000. EMC focused on providing satellite communications to remote locations, primarily serving the maritime, energy, and government sectors, including clients like the U.S. Department of Defense and the United Nations.

He scaled EMC into one of the largest private satellite operators globally before selling it in 2016 for $550 million. Using his share of the proceeds, Avellan launched his audacious second venture, AST SpaceMobile, in 2017. The new company was founded on a revolutionary, patented idea: creating a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly to standard, unmodified mobile phones anywhere on Earth. This vision positioned him at the forefront of the new space race and garnered massive investment from global partners like Vodafone, Rakuten, and AT&T.

Abel Avellan's social impact is intrinsically linked to the core mission of AST SpaceMobile: 'to connect the unconnected' and close the global digital divide. He deeply believes that connectivity is now a necessity, comparable to basic utilities like water and electricity, and his life's work is driven by this purpose.

His commitment to universal connectivity earned him a significant public service role in 2024 when he was appointed a Commissioner to the prestigious ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. This role underscores the alignment of his commercial goals with global sustainable development efforts. Furthermore, his first company, EMC, partnered with organizations like the United Nations and the U.S. State Department to provide essential communication to remote places, directly witnessing and facilitating the transformative power of connectivity on communities.

Abel Avellan embodies the energetic, ambitious aesthetic of a tech-forward space entrepreneur. His style is professional, modern, and high-performance, reflecting his identity as both an engineer and a corporate leader in a cutting-edge industry.

In the public eye, he favors sharp, contemporary business attire, often gravitating towards well-tailored suits or blazers that convey the seriousness of his billion-dollar vision. His luxury is centered on the ambitious complexity of his enterprise—investing heavily in the state-of-the-art, vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in Midland, Texas, that build his massive satellites. Residing in Coral Gables, Florida, he maintains a balance between the high-stakes world of aerospace technology and the disciplined focus required to pioneer a new era of global communication.