Space Funding Opportunities

Space Funding Opportunities from Government and Private Industry

The Space Ventures Coalition helps SoCal small technology companies and emerging startups identify funding sources for a range of technologies and services. Please check below for active areas of interest from NASA, the Air Force & Space Force, and other government programs.

NASA Funding Opportunities

NASA SBIR

Established by Congress to fund R&D by small businesses of 500 or fewer employees. Eleven federal agencies participate in the program, including the Department of Defense.

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NASA Tipping Point

NASA seeks industry-developed space technologies that can foster the development of commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions.

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Access Flight Tests

Flight Opportunities offers several avenues for accessing flights on commercial vehicles in order to test and demonstrate space technologies.

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Small Spacecraft Technology

Expands the ability to execute unique missions through rapid development and demonstration of capabilities for small spacecraft applicable to exploration, science and the commercial space sector.

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NASA Solve

A one-stop-shop for opportunities available to the general public to contribute to solving tough problems related to NASA’s mission.

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NASA Technology Transfer Program

Ensures that innovations developed for exploration and discovery are broadly available to the public, maximizing the benefit to the Nation.

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U.S. Air Force & Space Force Funding Opportunities

AFWERX Challenge

Individuals, startups, small businesses, large enterprises, academics and research labs submit solutions to specific challenges to solve problems for the U.S. Air Force.

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Air Force SBIR & STTR

These two similar programs stimulate technological innovation and accelerate development and production of promising technologies that can help the Air Force accomplish its mission.

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AFRL Hyperspace Challenge

Hyperspace Challenge forges valuable relationships between the government, industry, and university communities to accelerate innovation for the space domain.

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Space Enterprise Consortium

SpEC provides rapid space technology innovations through its academic and commercial industry members.

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General Tech Funding Opportunities

Defense Innovation Unit

DIU strengthens our national security by accelerating the adoption of leading commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base.

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Army XTech Search

a competition sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), targeting small businesses to uncover novel dual-use science and technology solutions.

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Challenge.gov

members of the public compete to help the U.S. government solve problems big and small. Browse through challenges and submit your ideas for a chance to win.

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Venture Capital Firms who invest in Space and Aerospace

There are many VC firms who invest in startups advancing space and aerospace innovation. Here is a helpful article with information about 33 firms who are active in this field.

See top 33 Space VCs in 2024

Upcoming Events

Connect with the SoCal innovation community through highly curated leadership workshops and focused events that drive high quality relationships.

Alliance Events

The Alliance for SoCal Innovation Announces Key Leadership Transitions for 2025

Steve Gilison 17 December 2024

The Alliance for SoCal Innovation is announcing several leadership and staffing changes for 2025, marking a new chapter in its journey. Most notably, Andy Wilson, the Executive Director and CEO…

SoCal Leaders Converge for Innovation-Based Economic Development Workshop

Steve Gilison 30 November 2024

The sixth annual SoCal Ecosystem Leadership Forum on November 15th in Long Beach was uniquely effective this year due to its focus on innovation-based economic development and our ability to…

Connecting tech innovators to the people launching space missions.