Bio

Mike Telcide is the founder and CEO of TisBooked, a social travel platform designed for solo adventurers seeking connection, spontaneity, and curated experiences. Whether you’re exploring a new city or planning your next big escape, TisBooked helps you connect with like-minded travelers, build personalized itineraries, and unlock unforgettable memories—all in one place.

Before launching TisBooked, Mike co-founded and led the first-ever International Space Pitch Day (ISPD) in 2020—a groundbreaking collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and the UK Ministry of Defence. ISPD connects cutting-edge startups with real-world space challenges, accelerating their path from concept to operational impact through funding, feedback, and direct access to defense decision-makers.

Mike’s passion for innovation and emerging technology runs deep. While serving as a U.S. Space Force Officer, he managed multiple space accelerator programs and international partnerships, helping align global capabilities with user-driven needs. His work focused on shrinking acquisition timelines and transitioning startup technologies into national defense applications.

Prior to that, Mike served as Space Partnership Program Manager for the Portfolio Architect Corps at the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, where he enhanced collaboration with allied nations and led multinational tech development efforts. Earlier, as Enterprise Requirements Lead for the Global Positioning Systems Directorate, he oversaw a 62-person team shaping the architecture and technical baseline for GPS and U.S. nuclear detection systems—supporting over $32 billion in space programs.

Mike began his career at Wright-Patterson AFB as an Electronic Analyst at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. There, he led a 30-member team producing threat assessments and authored intelligence reports that shaped U.S. weapons modernization and tactics. He worked closely with key national agencies including the NSA, DIA, and F-35 Joint Program Office.

Now based in Los Angeles, Mike is an active member of the Silicon Beach tech community. He mentors early-stage startups, including Techstars cohorts, and frequently serves on pitch panels—offering insights while continuing to learn from fellow founders and innovators.