Updated:
First Principles Group
First Principles Group directs investors to opportunities in space exploration and technology. Ben Holland founded the group after serving as Executive...
First Principles Group
First Principles Group directs investors to opportunities in space exploration and technology. Ben Holland founded the group after serving as Executive Director of Investments at Oppenheimer & Co. Rob Maurer serves as co-leader; he created the Tesla Daily podcast. The group is based in Chicago and supports companies in those sectors.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chicago
Corporate office
Chicago, IL, United States
Principals
Ben Holland
Founder & Managing Partner
Rob Maurer
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at First Principles Group?
Ben Holland, Founder and Managing Partner, leads investment decisions. He spent over 15 years at Oppenheimer & Co., finishing as Executive Director of Investments. His co-founder, Rob Maurer, serves as Managing Partner and brings a dedicated research capability through his widely followed Tesla Daily podcast.
How does First Principles Group source proprietary deal flow?
FPG's sourcing is unusual — co-founder Rob Maurer operates Tesla Daily, a podcast that has generated millions of views and a follower base of over 250,000. This audience and the trust it represents function as a thematic radar and a co-investor aggregation channel, surfacing opportunities in electric mobility, space, and energy transition before they appear on traditional platforms.
What investment stages does First Principles Group typically target?
The firm targets venture-stage companies, given its focus on "visionary technologies" in capital-intensive sectors like space exploration and next-gen energy. The specific round stages are not publicly defined, but its public-facing, thesis-driven community is structured to back early-to-growth stage companies aligned with its core themes.
How is First Principles Group related to Tesla Daily?
Tesla Daily is the podcast and media brand founded and run by Rob Maurer, FPG's Managing Partner. It operates as a separate, adjacent property that continuously analyzes the EV and tech landscape. FPG uses the podcast's audience and research as a direct pipeline for investment thesis validation and investor access.
Which sectors does First Principles Group target?
The firm targets space exploration, electrified mobility, and energy transition. These are reflected in the partners' stated passions — Ben Holland's focus on space opportunities and Rob Maurer's deep coverage of Tesla and the EV sector — and the firm's mission to back "visionary technologies shaping a bold future."
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on private equity firms?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: