Blue Origin, LLC

Commercial AerospaceFounded 2000- HQ today: Kent, Washington, United States

Founders

Who Founded Blue Origin?

Jeff Bezos · Founded 2000 · HQ today: Kent, Washington, United States

Who founded Blue Origin?

Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. It is now led by Dave Limp.

Founders: Jeff Bezos
Founded: 2000
Headquarters: Kent, Washington, United States
Number of founders: 1
Current CEO: Dave Limp (since 2023)

Where was Blue Origin founded?: Blue Origin was founded in Kent, Washington in 2000.
When was Blue Origin founded?: Blue Origin was founded in 2000.
Who started Blue Origin?: Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos.
How old is Blue Origin?: Blue Origin is 26 years old as of 2026.

Founding Story

Bezos founded Blue Origin in Kent, Washington, in September 2000, six years after starting Amazon. He had talked about space since high school, and the company's long-range thinking drew on Princeton physicist Gerard K. O'Neill's ideas about building industry in space. Blue Origin said little in public for years. Bezos bought ranch land north of Van Horn in West Texas, which became Launch Site One, and the first test vehicle, Goddard, flew there in November 2006 to an altitude of 285 feet.

Jeff Bezos

Background

Jeff Bezos graduated from Princeton University in 1986 with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, worked at the investment firm D. E. Shaw in New York, and founded Amazon in 1994.

Role at Blue Origin, LLC

Jeff Bezos founded Blue Origin in 2000 and has funded it ever since, about $30 billion by the Wall Street Journal's September 2026 count, including $2 billion in the company's first outside round. He gave it the motto 'Gradatim Ferociter' and the long-range goal of moving heavy industry off Earth. He flew on New Shepard's first crewed flight on July 20, 2021, the month he stepped down as Amazon's chief executive, and in 2023 hired Amazon devices chief Dave Limp to run Blue Origin.

Jeff Bezos was born in 1964 in Albuquerque. Education: Miami Palmetto High School; River Oaks Elementary School.

Blue Origin, LLC: CEO & Leadership History

Full timeline →

Tory Bruno

President, National Security Group

2026 – Present

As the CEO of ULA (Blue Origin's most important client), his aggressive public pressure forced Blue Origin to completely overhaul its manufacturing processes to finally deliver flight-ready hardware.

Dave Limp

Chief Executive Officer

2023 – Present

Took over in December 2023 after running Amazon's devices and services business. He cut about 10 percent of staff in February 2025, oversaw New Glenn's first three flights, paused New Shepard in January 2026, and led the company's first outside funding round in 2026.

Bob Smith

Chief Executive Officer

2017 – 2023

Former Honeywell Aerospace executive hired to turn Blue Origin into an operating business. His tenure included the first crewed New Shepard flights and the $3.4 billion NASA Blue Moon award, but New Glenn did not fly before he left.

Rob Meyerson

President

2003 – 2017

Built Blue Origin from a small team into an aerospace company, leading early New Shepard and engine development. He became senior vice president of advanced development in 2018 and left that November.

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Who Founded Blue Origin? FAQ

Who founded Blue Origin?

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in September 2000 in Kent, Washington.

Why did Jeff Bezos start Blue Origin?

He had wanted to work on space since high school and has said the long-term goal is millions of people living and working in space, with heavy industry moved off Earth. His thinking drew on physicist Gerard K. O'Neill's ideas.

Did Jeff Bezos go to space?

Yes. He flew on New Shepard's first crewed flight, NS-16, on July 20, 2021, with his brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen.

What does 'Gradatim Ferociter' mean?

It is Latin for 'step by step, ferociously', the motto Bezos chose for Blue Origin.

Is Jeff Bezos still involved in Blue Origin?

Yes. He controls the company, put $2 billion into its 2026 funding round, and chose Dave Limp as CEO in 2023.

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Who founded Blue Origin?

Founding Story

Jeff Bezos

Background

Role at Blue Origin, LLC

Blue Origin, LLC: CEO & Leadership History

Compare Blue Origin, LLC Leadership With Competitors

Keep researching Blue Origin

Who Founded Blue Origin? FAQ

Who founded Blue Origin?

Why did Jeff Bezos start Blue Origin?

Did Jeff Bezos go to space?

What does 'Gradatim Ferociter' mean?

Is Jeff Bezos still involved in Blue Origin?

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