With the success of the 2020 Nasa Science Mission Directorate Entrepreneurs challenge, NASA has brought back its entrepreneurs challenge initiative. The entrepreneurs challenge aims to invite innovative ideas from new participants who can assist in developing instruments and technologies to further advance the mission and goals of the space agency. Within the challenge, there are two rounds:
- Round 1: Applicants have to submit a short white paper, which outlines a technology concept that addresses one of the technology focus areas below. From there, a panel of judges will then select up to twenty (20) companies to receive an invitation to Round Two along with $10,000 in prize funding.
- Round 2: Participants will submit a more comprehensive white paper detailing their technological solutions and will also participate in a live pitch event that will be open to the public to present their ideas to a panel of judges who will score the white paper and the presentation. Industry representatives, venture capitalists, and NASA program managers will also be invited to the pitch event. Up to ten (10) winning participants will be awarded an additional $80,000 in prize funding to mature their concepts further.
The 2021 entrepreneurial challenge will conclude in September. For more information, you can check out NASA and Starburst.
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