SWF and Exponential Academy Release “ESG in Space” podcast Episode 8 Featuring Kevin Stein on Turning Satellite Data into Wildfire Insurance

Thursday, May 8, 2025

The Secure World Foundation and Exponential Academy are pleased to release Episode 8 of ESG in Space, a podcast series hosted by Nishan Degnarain and Miki Sode that explores the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in the space sector.

This episode features Kevin Stein, CEO of Delos, a cutting-edge insurance provider using space-based data to model and price wildfire risk in California. With a background in aerospace engineering and firsthand experience in the startup and satellite industry, Kevin brings a unique lens to ESG—one rooted in delivering practical, last-mile solutions for climate resilience.

Kevin shares how his team at Delos developed predictive wildfire models powered by satellite imagery and operationalized them into a market-leading insurance product. He discusses the opportunities and risks of relying on satellite data in commercial sectors, and the untapped potential for space technologies to address real-world problems beyond government or academic use.

Whether you're in the insurance industry, the space sector, or just curious about how data from orbit can reshape life on Earth, this episode highlights the power of merging innovation with practical application.

Listen to "ESG in Space" Episode 8 below, on YouTube, or on your preferred podcast streaming platform.

Timestamps for Key Topics

• 00:00:30 – Introduction of Kevin Stein and Delos
• 00:01:28 – Kevin’s background in aerospace and journey from Stanford to startup founder
• 00:03:02 – Why Delos focused on climate change and wildfire risk modeling
• 00:04:21 – Using insurance as a scalable platform for operationalizing satellite data
• 00:06:12 – Building resiliency through diversified data sources
• 00:07:19 – Competing with ground-based data and maintaining product-market fit
• 00:08:48 – Why more “last mile” space solutions are needed in ground-based industries
• 00:10:11 – The communication gap between the space and insurance sectors
• 00:12:07 – How Delos grew to become California’s leading specialty home insurer
• 00:13:44 – The case for “space-powered” solutions that don’t advertise their orbit
• 00:16:28 – Unlocking new economic value by integrating space data into traditional markets
• 00:17:40 – “You found a niche... that’s value creation” – Reflections on space-enabled insurance

If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the purpose and creation of this podcast, please watch a quick look on our YouTube Channel. 

About Exponential Academy

With a vision to drive meaningful change, Exponential Academy emerged from a deep commitment to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing the transformative power of exponential technologies, the academy harnesses these innovations to create a ripple effect across industries. Their goal is to align businesses with the global sustainability agenda while leveraging cutting-edge solutions to meet the challenges of our time. Learn more about Exponential Academy at exponentialacademy.org.