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Start-Ups
Start-ups in Space
Success stories from accelerator-program partnerships
Since 2013, CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes). has partnered with business accelerator programs to explore how research and technology development 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. might give startup companies a competitive edge. Through participation in programs such as MassChallenge (a leading international business accelerator) and Rice Business Plan Competition (in partnership with Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship), as well as regular interactions with several others, the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab serves as a business incubator—providing a path for entrepreneurs to improve their products or services and shorten time to market.
THE TECHNOLOGY IN SPACE PRIZE
Each year, CASIS and Boeing partner with MassChallenge to sponsor the 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., a competition to support entrepreneurial use of the ISS for innovative research and development. Since its inception, the prize has provided $8.8 million in funding to 26 startups for projects across materials science, technology development, and life sciences.
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SPACE RESEARCH
Companies awarded through these programs, sponsored by the ISS National Lab early on in their business activities, have grown to secure larger public-sector grants and private-sector investments to continue their efforts. They have also been featured in prominent media outlets such as CNN, Fierce Biotech, and GeekWire.
Award of a flight project is a key indicator of economic value creation for startup companies using the ISS National Lab for R&D. Technology in Space Prize awardees have raised close to $190 million toward their future growth post award.
Below, learn more about the success of these companies and the role of the ISS National Lab in economic value creation for startups.
Space-Based Research Never Crossed My Mind—Until It Did
In his own words, read about how RevBio (formerly LaunchPad Medical) CEO Brian Hess says the Technology in Space Prize “created a buzz around our company and gave us the credibility that prospective investors were seeking, and we secured additional funding [more than $18 million in grants and venture capital investments] as a result.”
Leveraging Microgravity to Improve Medical Diagnostics – One Drop at a Time
Since its Technology in Space Prize award, 1Drop Diagnostics has raised more than $5.5 million in public grants and venture capital. Read about how this project was performed during the historic SpaceX Demo-2 mission.
All Patched Up: Space-Based Research to Help Heal Wounds on Earth
Awarded through the Rice Business Plan Competition, Tympanogen has since received more than $1.5 million from the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research program, the U.S. Department of Defense, and several local grants.
Pioneering the Wild West of Spaceflight Research
In his own words, read about how Angiex Founder and President Paul Jaminet says the Technology in Space Prize “opened the door to new connections with investors, business partners, and scientists,” contributing to more than $2.8 million in venture capital raised since the award.
LambdaVision Receives $5 Million Award From NASA for Additional ISS Research
In total, LambdaVision has raised more than $6 million since its Technology in Space Prize award. The principal investigator also won an ISS R&D Award for the “Development and Demonstration of In-Space Manufacture of Protein-Based Retinal Implant.”
Bringing Motion to Life: Materials Science Research in Space
Since its Technology in Space Prize award, Ras Labs has raised more than $2 million in funding, including investment from Breakout Labs and a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Phase I grant. The company’s product is currently in customer testing.
Axonis and Encapsulate Awarded 2019 Technology in Space Prize from Boeing and the ISS National Lab
Though only recently awarded, Axonis has already closed a $4 million seed round following its Technology in Space Prize award of a flight opportunity through the ISS National Lab.
Accelerating Startups in Space
Read a recap of a 2019 conference panel highlighting participants and partners involved in the Technology in Space Prize, authored by Christine Kretz, CASIS vice president of programs and partnerships.
MassChallenge Grantees Move early-Stage innovations Forward
In this feature article, published in Upward (official magazine of the ISS National Lab), dive deep into the science behind two recent flight projects, awarded through the Technology in Space Prize, whose companies (combined) have since raised almost $20 million.
How MassChallenge Forged a Partnership to Send Startups to Space
In 2013, CASIS began their partnership with MassChallenge to better educate those within startup communities on the possibilities that existed on the orbiting laboratory, and that they were available to all types of researchers, not just those that represented huge companies.
Technology in Space Prize Overview
For an introduction to the Technology in Space Prize, download this presentation.