Lawrence is a technology entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to developing solutions for some of the world’s most intractable problems. In 2020, Lawrence started Merlin Mobility and the Merlin Mobility Foundation to develop advanced technology solutions to make driving easier, safer, and more accessible for all. The company’s first product, the Merlin Copilot, is an after-market kit that integrates with over 100 vehicle models currently on the road. The Copilot leverages AI, computer vision and sensor fusion to help eliminate accidents, automate driving, and take over if a driver becomes incapacitated. This unique approach to autonomy allows Merlin to immediately start saving lives, while incrementally advancing towards full autonomy.
Prior to Merlin, Lawrence helped lead market expansion for Zipline International, a Silicon Valley-based logistics company that designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s first commercial drone-based delivery service. In October 2016, Zipline began in partnership with the country of Rwanda, which will ultimately put all of Rwanda’s 11 million citizens within a 15- to 30-minute delivery of any essential medical product. In 2018, the company will be expanding to numerous countries, including the United States and Tanzania.
Prior to Zipline, Lawrence assisted serial entrepreneur Elon Musk in growing Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) into the leading provider of space launch services, with over $4B in contracts, including NASA’s domestic commercial crew and cargo program to replace the Space Shuttle. He also served as an advisor for Tesla Motors.
Prior to SpaceX, Lawrence served as Senior Vice President for Business Development for the satellite communications company ICO Global Communications and Vice President of International and Government Affairs for Craig McCaw and Bill Gates’ “Internet in the Sky” system, Teledesic.
His government experience includes having served as a special assistant to the administrator of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a member of the Presidential transition team for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and a legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Ray Thornton on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and Masters in Business Administration with honors from Georgetown University.
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