SpaceChallenge.com, backed by HUMANUS.VC, offers early-stage spacetech founders $25K in non-dilutive funding and in-kind services. Co-founded by SpaceX veteran Jeff Thornburg and investor Jason Carvalho, it powers innovation for the next frontier in space.
SEATTLE, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the global space economy accelerates towards a projected $1.8 trillion opportunity by 2035, SpaceChallenge.com is launching to empower the next wave of spacetech innovators and integrate them into HUMANUS VC's pioneering ecosystem. Designed to provide non-dilutive funding, world-class mentorship, and critical resources, SpaceChallenge.com aims to help startups succeed in this rapidly evolving industry.
Founders' Vision and Leadership
Co-founded by Jeff Thornburg, a SpaceX veteran and aerospace engineer, and Jason Carvalho, a seasoned spacetech angel investor with over 20 years of startup expertise, SpaceChallenge.com operates within HUMANUS.VC's comprehensive vision for space innovation. Together, Thornburg and Carvalho have crafted a comprehensive roadmap that identifies the critical technologies necessary to unlock the full potential of the space economy. Thornburg, the Chief Architect of SpaceX's Raptor engine architecture and development, believes that advancing these strategic technologies will drive the growth of SpaceTech 2.0, opening trillion-dollar opportunities across the space economy.
"At SpaceChallenge.com, we are building the future of space exploration by bringing startups into the HUMANUS.VC ecosystem," said Jason Carvalho, co-founder of HUMANUS.VC and leading spacetech investor. "Our mission is to support visionary founders by providing candid mentorship, vetted networks, and spacetech-specific resources that help scale ideas while preserving founder equity. This is the beginning of a journey where we nurture talent, offer invaluable feedback, and open doors to unparalleled growth."
With a diverse portfolio that includes pioneering startups like Wyvern, Mission Control, Rollup.Systems, and Helicity Space, Carvalho brings invaluable strategic insight to SpaceChallenge.com
"Over the past 20 years building spacetech for SpaceX, Amazon, and NASA, I've seen how crucial real, expert guidance is for founders," said Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. Thornburg is currently leading the development of the Supernova spacecraft bus, a highly maneuverable platform featuring solar thermal propulsion for rapid orbital adjustments—an innovation aligning with HUMANUS.VC's mission of responsible, cutting-edge space solutions.
"Decades in spacetech have shown me the importance of a strategic vision for shaping the future of space exploration," said Thornburg. "At HUMANUS.VC, we have developed a rigorous roadmap to identify and support transformative innovations essential for sustainable growth in the space economy. SpaceChallenge.com bridges bold ideas with practical execution, empowering founders with the mentorship and resources they need to achieve long-term success in this competitive industry.
World-Class Judges Shaping SpaceTech 2.0
SpaceChallenge.com's judging panel includes industry leaders from top-tier spacetech companies such as SpaceX, Amazon: Project Kuiper and Airbus. These operators, instrumental in shaping today's space economy, are committed to guiding the next generation of spacetech pioneers.
Focus Areas: Unlocking the Future of Space
SpaceChallenge.com is focused on advancing transformative solutions in the following critical areas:
- Unlocking the Future of Space: Affordable and fast access from Earth to the Moon.
- Guarding Earth: Innovative climate solutions using space technology.
- Pioneering Permanent Presence: Enabling human-robot collaboration for long-term space exploration.
- Enhancing Space Resilience and Security: Innovating to protect and stabilize space assets for secure operations.
Eligibility and Prize Details
SpaceChallenge.com invites visionary founders from the Five Eyes countries—U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and New Zealand—to compete for a total prize pool of $25,000, which includes both cash awards and in-kind support. The competition is centered around four transformative themes shaping the future of space exploration and its applications.
Three winners will be selected, with one standout crowned the overall champion and receiving the largest share of the prize pool. Along with financial backing, all winners will benefit from world class expert mentorship and strategic resources to accelerate their innovations and propel their growth in the spacetech sector.
Vision Statement
SpaceChallenge.com is the ultimate launchpad for spacetech startups, aligning transformative innovations with a technology roadmap crafted by HUMANUS.VC. Founders receive direct feedback from industry leaders who have built world-class technologies, including SpaceX's Raptor engine and six successful Falcon 9 launches. As the gateway to HUMANUS.VC, we equip founders with tailored tools, mentorship, and resources to transform bold ideas into pioneering solutions. Guided by unmatched expertise, SpaceChallenge.com is shaping the future of exploration and unlocking the trillion-dollar potential of the space economy.
Call to Action
Applications for SpaceChallenge.com are open until Jan 31st 2025, inviting pre-seed and early-stage spacetech companies to join. Selected founders will have the opportunity to present their innovations to a panel of industry leaders actively shaping the future of space. Visit SpaceChallenge.com to apply.
Media Contact
Jason Carvalho, HUMANUS.VC, 1 4255418200, [email protected], https://www.humanus.vc/
SOURCE HUMANUS.VC; HUMANUS.VC
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