Orbital Reef is a commercially developed, owned, and operated space station to be built in low Earth orbit. In the second half of this decade, Orbital Reef will start operating as a mixed-use business park, providing straightforward access for all.
Reef Starter is Orbital Reef’s newest offering, established to reduce barriers of entry for startups to become users of Orbital Reef. The goal of the Reef Starter Innovation Challenge is to identify startup organizations that could benefit from operations in LEO, particularly those that hold promise for improving the lives and world for those on Terra Firma below.
From materials science to agriculture, entertainment to pharma, and medical devices to tourism, Reef Starter is interested in a diverse range of startup organizations from around the globe.
Could your business or product make exponential leaps ahead with time in microgravity? If so, consider submitting your application for the Reef Starter Innovation Challenge today!
AWARDS:
Reef Starter will invite up to twenty-five (25) highly rated respondents to participate in the Reef Starter Pitch Event to be held in November 2022. At these sessions, respondents will pitch their technology to a broad array of Orbital Reef representatives from business development to science and more.
From the list of finalists, up to 3 presenters will be awarded up to $100,000.
Reef Starter will also present Innovation Awards of up to $25,000 for innovative startups and research efforts at the pre-seed/concept stage that are ready to take their first step towards commercial development.
Furthermore, Reef Starter will provide winners with a broad range of post-challenge supports, as determined by the needs of the respondent. Examples of potential support include access to workshops and introductions to the broader Orbital Reef network.
The Reef Starter Innovation Challenge is intended to kickstart a broad array of commercial operations in low Earth orbit (LEO). This exciting new challenge from Orbital Reef is primarily geared towards startup organizations, at any stage of development or commercialization, though corporations of any size are welcome to respond.
Terrestrial end-use should be the primary focus of any proposed technology or business. Proposals focused on innovations for a space operations hub including assembly, refueling, and maintenance are welcome but are not the primary focus of this Challenge.
Possible solution areas
Requirements
All eligible responses to the Challenge will be evaluated according to the following metrics:
Description of benefits from access to LEO: 20 points
Commercialization plan for creating a long-term sustainable offering: 20 points
Engaging description of proposed technology: 15 points
Considerations for launch-readiness: 10 points
Innovation: 10 points
Proposal clarity: 10 points
Technical maturity: 10 points
Consideration for long-term engagement with Orbital Reef: 5 points
The top eligible respondents will be invited to a virtual pitch event to be held November 17, 2022. Pitch presentations will be evaluated according to the following metrics:
Clear communication of how Orbital Reef will impact success of the technology: 15 points
Clear vision of how to execute their development plan: 15 points
Uniqueness of proposed technology: 10 points
Overall delivery of presentation: 10 points
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