NASA has made it clear that they are looking for visionary people – which is a key characteristic of entrepreneurs. This year’s challenge recognizes and supports entrepreneurs working on technology that advances the agency’s science goals, particularly in lunar exploration and climate science. There are countless tenacious and innovative entrepreneurs working across the country on cutting-edge research and game-changing ideas of importance to NASA.
The entrepreneur challenge will recognize winners with up to $1,000,000 in total prizes. And, the process also exposes winners to external funders and investors, as well as, offer insights on how to partner with NASA in the future. It’s like American Idol for national security. It may not be winning that launches your career, but being in the mix can get you connected.
This challenge is a follow-on to the last two years and focuses on critical areas of need, specifically lunar payloads and climate science.
Prizes will be awarded to participants who successfully contribute ideas that further development and commercialization of technologies and data usage in these two broadly-defined areas.
In Round 1 of the Challenge, participants will submit a pitch deck alongside a technical white paper outlining the technology concept. Up to 20 organizations will receive $16,000 and advance to Round 2, where they will submit more detailed information and present at an in-person pitch event hosted at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo in Washington. Up to eight organizations will be awarded an additional grand prize of $85,000.
The pitch event will allow finalists to network with top agency, military, and industry leaders with exposure to venture capitalists and other impact funds. Winners from prior years have secured millions of dollars in investor funds, gained acceptance into accelerator programs, and won Small Business Innovation Research contracts following their participation in the challenge.
The Challenge: NASA’s Science Mission Directorate invites startups and entrepreneurs to participate in the NASA Entrepreneur Challenge to further the development and commercialization of technologies and data usage through an entrepreneurial lens to advance the Agency’s science goals for humankind.
The Prize: NASA’s Science Mission Directorate will award up to $1,000,000 in prizes to participants who can successfully contribute ideas that advance innovations related to lunar payloads or climate science. In addition, finalists will participate in an in-person pitch event where they will have the opportunity to present to and network with venture capitalists, impact investors, NASA scientists, and industry leaders.
Eligibility to Submit and Win Award: The prize is open to U.S. persons aged 18 or older participating as individuals or as a team. Please see the challenge rules for complete eligibility requirements.
To learn more about the opportunity, visit www.nasaentrepreneurchallenge.org.
