The International Space Station National Laboratory has launched an accelerator program that seeks to connect startups to investment partners to advance space-based innovation and drive commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit.
Under the Orbital Edge Accelerator program, investors E2MC, Stellar Ventures and Cook Inlet Region Inc., or CIRI, will invest in the inaugural cohort of six startups, the ISS National Lab said Wednesday.
Each selected startup will get a $500,000 investment and an opportunity to propose future spaceflight missions with the support of the ISS National Lab, which is also working with TechConnect on the accelerator.
TechConnect will conduct a webinar on April 22 to inform interested stakeholders on the accelerator program’s scope.
Application Process for Orbital Edge Accelerator
Interested startups have until May 19 to submit their applications for the accelerator program.
The ISS National Lab will work with TechConnect and three investment partners to assess each submission and select up to 20 finalists to pitch their proposed technologies in a virtual setting by mid-June.
The lab will announce the first cohort of startups on July 7.
As a corporate partner for the accelerator, Amazon Web Services will provide mentoring support for the selected startups.
What Does the ISS National Lab Do?
The ISS National Lab provides researchers with access to a microgravity research environment to further develop space-based business models, drive science literacy, improve the quality of life on Earth and broaden a sustainable market in low Earth orbit.
The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space oversees the ISS National Lab for NASA under a cooperative agreement.
