Gildo Pastor is a visionary entrepreneur known for pushing the boundaries across multiple industries, from electric vehicles and motorsports to space exploration and media. His leadership of ventures like Radio Monaco, Venturi Racing and Venturi SpaceLab has cemented his reputation as a trailblazer in both technological innovation and sustainability. Now, Pastor’s sights are set on taking his Monaco-based radio station, Radio Monaco, to new heights—quite literally to the moon.

Pastor, who founded Radio Monaco in 2000, overcame initial challenges to establish it as the Principality’s first radio station despite strict regulations against Monegasques owning radio stations at the time. What began as MC1, a small operation in a modest studio, has grown into a multimedia powerhouse that broadcasts both in Europe and in North America via SiriusXM. Pastor’s ambition doesn’t stop there: his dream is to send Radio Monaco to the moon as part of a larger NASA-backed lunar mission, with his company involved in several space ventures aiming to support human exploration of the moon’s South Pole.

“I love a challenge,” Gildo Pastor tells me confidently. “I enjoy taking on companies or industries where people say, ‘You can’t do that.’”

Under Pastor’s leadership, Radio Monaco has continued its ascent, and on Wednesday 18th September, the station marked a new milestone with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art digital multimedia studio, in the presence of National Council President Thomas Brezzo and Vice-President Jean Louis Grinda.

This next-generation facility, located at the heart of the radio station, allows for simultaneous audio and video broadcasting, taking full advantage of cutting-edge technology. The new studio is equipped with five ultra-high-definition 4K cameras, custom lighting for each speaker, immersive LED displays and AI-assisted RCS audio systems—setting new international standards for both sound and video quality.

This ambitious transformation was overseen by Pastor’s “good friend”, French DJ and technology expert Joachim Garraud, who helped design the studio’s acoustics, lighting, and layout. According to Pastor, the move into multimedia is a natural evolution for Radio Monaco, which is no longer just a radio station, but a fully integrated media platform offering a 360° experience.

“My vision has always been to constantly renew and reinvent the offer of our station,” says Pastor. “Today, Radio Monaco positions itself as an essential multimedia player, offering an immersive and modern experience while staying deeply rooted in the Principality.”

Pastor’s ventures extend far beyond radio. Through Venturi, he has made significant contributions to the world of electric vehicles, pioneering high-speed electric cars that have broken world records and caught the attention of NASA. Venturi Racing, meanwhile, has become a leading name in Formula E, the all-electric motorsport series, pushing forward innovation in sustainable racing.

In 2023, Venturi Astrolab, alongside Axiom Space and Odyssey Space Research, secured a NASA contract worth up to $1.9 billion to develop the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) for the Artemis campaign. Venturi, led by Gildo Pastor, is supplying the FLEX rover’s wheels and batteries, engineered in Switzerland and Monaco. These components will enable the rover to explore the moon’s harsh terrain and extreme temperatures at the lunar South Pole.

“We’re showing NASA that we’re five years ahead of schedule,” reveals Pastor. “What they’re asking for, we completed long ago.”

At the Gildo Pastor Centre, where both Radio Monaco and Venturi reside, a sculpture of the moon’s South Pole now decorates the lobby, showcasing Pastor’s deep-rooted ambition to reach the moon.

“My dream is to take Radio Monaco to the moon. Sending humans there is no easy task, especially since we’re heading to the South Pole, where temperatures reach -220°C. It’s a harsh environment, and people will face challenges. We want to be there to support them.”

Back on earth, as the Consul General of Monaco in New York, Pastor plays a key role in promoting the Principality abroad. His global vision, combined with his deep connection to Monaco, positions him as one of the most influential figures in both the business and technological landscapes.

Whether on earth or on the moon, Gildo Pastor’s forward-thinking approach continues to challenge the status quo and redefine what’s possible.

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Main photo left to right: National Council Vice-President Jean Louis Grinda, Gildo Pastor, and National Council President Thomas Brezzo. Credit: Cassandra Tanti