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.
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 Prize, 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.
Download a high-resolution image for this release: Accelerator San Mateo
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About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
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. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.
