SAN MATEO (CA), May 4, 2026 – A networking reception for founders and investors building space‑enabled businesses will be held on Thursday, May 7, in San Mateo, California. This Orbital Edge Accelerator event will bring together ambitious startups, venture investors, and industry leaders to explore emerging commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles..
Complimentary drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Attendance is by approval, and space is limited. Registration is open now.
The reception will offer founders an inside look at the 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator, an industry-leading program that connects startups with $500,000 to $750,000 in private capital, expert mentorship, and access to space‑based testing. Selected participants will also be eligible to compete for the Boeing-funded Technology in Space PrizeA prize that provides grant funding for business startups participating in the MassChallenge startup accelerator program to conduct innovative research and technology development utilizing the ISS National Lab. The prize is funded by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which manages the ISS National Lab, and Boeing., which includes up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding. This program is in partnership with returning global investment partners Cook Inlet Region, Inc., E2MC, and Stellar Ventures and welcomes new partners Context Ventures, Draper Associates, and Draper University, alongside leading industry participants and sponsors.
Applicants choose from two distinct tracks based on the areas of technology innovation and business maturity:
- The Sentinel Track seeks early-stage startups developing space technologies with dual-use potential.
- The Disrupt Track seeks pre-seed and seed stage startups with a focus on space biotechnology and advanced materials, including in-space manufacturing and drug development.
Startups exploring acceleration, strategic partnerships, and investor readiness are encouraged to register and attend an Orbital Edge informational webinar on May 5 at 1 p.m. (EDT) to determine whether the program is the right fit for their growth goals.
The deadline to submit an application to the Orbital Edge Accelerator program is May 26, 2026. For more information, visit the Orbital Edge Accelerator website.
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