The era of exploration is evolving for investors and startups. The Orbital Edge Accelerator connects trailblazing founding partners, investors, and sponsors with the unparalleled opportunities emerging in low Earth orbit.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. ISSNationalLab.org
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) is a dynamic and forward-focused Alaska Native regional corporation, recognized as one of 12 land-based corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Since its incorporation on June 8, 1972, CIRI has expanded beyond its Southcentral Alaska roots—where its regional boundaries align with the traditional Dena’ina homeland—to become a global enterprise. Today, CIRI operates in 45 states and seven countries, driving growth, innovation, and opportunity for its more than 10,000 Shareholders who reside in Alaska and around the world. www.ciri.com
E2MC (Earth-to-Mars Capital) is a pioneering venture capital firm dedicated to advancing the space economy by financing early-stage space-related startups globally. Our leadership team not only has a combined over 100 years’ of space experience, but is also comprised of former entrepreneurs, and has extensive institutional investment experience. We leverage our specialized expertise and extensive global network to provide tangible support for our portfolio companies (over 30 so far). E2MC’s mission, “From Earth into Space, for Earth,” underscores our dedication to paving the way for humanity’s expansion into space, and to harnessing space technology for global advancement and development. We are based in Arlington, VA. www.e2mc.space
Stellar Ventures is a woman-led venture capital firm founded by aerospace industry leader Celeste Ford to back the next generation of space entrepreneurs. The firm invests in early-stage, mission-driven space technology companies and brings unmatched technical depth and industry connections to help founders build the world-changing businesses of tomorrow. svc.vc
Context Ventures is an early-stage venture fund that invests in exceptional, “X-Men” founders across all sectors with a special (but not exclusive) emphasis on investing in military veteran founders through Capital, Community, and Connections. We invest in defense, dual-use, fintech, B2B, and consumer startups and have incubated three companies. We host several events and conferences throughout the year for startups and military veterans. contextvc.com
Draper Associates, an early investor in pioneering space tech companies such as SpaceX, Planet, Iceye, and Venus Aerospace. Draper Associates invests in the future by backing bold, visionary founders building transformational businesses long before the rest of the world believes in them. Draper Associates moves early, primarily investing from pre-seed to Series A and are industry-agnostic and stage-agnostic, investing across sectors, geographies, and technologies. Some of these early companies included Robinhood, Twitch, Hotmail, and Baidu. Recent winners include companies like Coinbase, Oklo, Arkham, Webflow, Iceye, and Colossal. www.draper.vc
Draper University, founded by renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper, is an innovative institution that disrupts traditional accelerator models and promotes entrepreneurship globally. As the leading pre-acceleration program in Silicon Valley, Draper University partners with diverse markets, institutions and organizations supported by various governments and corporats to fuel the growth of innovation hubs around the world. With over 10,000 alumni from 101 countries, Draper University has successfully cultivated a new generation of entrepreneurs, creating over 750 startups that have raised more than $950M. Draper University provides a structured pipeline of globally competitive founders, combined with venture-building expertise, access to early-stage capital, and a strong international network of investors, mentors, and operators. draperuniversity.com
