Skip to Main Content
Pathways to Science: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Search for a program . . . find your future.


Reef Starter Innovation Challenge


Click Here to Learn More and Apply! 


Academic Level:
Undergraduates - First Year
Undergraduates - Sophomore
Undergraduates - Junior
Undergraduates - Senior
Post-Baccalaureate
Graduate Students (Masters)
Graduate Students (PhD)
Postdoc & Early Career
Faculty & Administrators

Description:
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.

The online response form gives you the opportunity to tell Orbital Reef about the exciting innovations you think are possible for your technology with access to microgravity. Interested respondents must submit a response via the online response form prior to the submission deadline.

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. 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.


Participating Institution(s):
(Click an institution to see all programs it hosts or sponsors)
TechConnect (Lead)

Program Materials:
 • Program Website 

This Program can be Described by:
Academic Disciplines:
Agricultural Engineering
Biochemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Food Science & Nutrition
Materials Science & Engineering
Media
Medical Sciences
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Physiology
Plant Sciences

Keywords:
Innovation

Learn More and Apply!

Page last updated 2/25/2024
Click here to submit updates to this program listing!


PROGRAM ICONS


a flag denotes an institution that is the lead of an allianceInstitution that is the lead of an alliance

An exclamation point denotes a program with an upcoming deadlineUpcoming deadline

an airplane denotes a study abroad opportunityProgram includes a study abroad component

icon indicating a short-term opportunityDifferent from a program, an opportunity is generally short-term; they include paid workshops, travel funds, or professional development opportunities

icon indicating a nationwide programNationwide programs are not based at individual institutions

an airplane denotes a study abroad opportunityProgram Just Posted

a suitcase denotes portable fundingPortable Funding

a globe denotes funding for international studentsFunds International Students

a checkbox denotes a program recently updatedProgram recently updated