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WHAT WE ARE:
We are eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship, a not-for-profit organization formed from a partnership of the University of Colorado, a national leader in aerospace engineering, and Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems Group.
Our mission is to support the creation and development of an important national resource, entrepreneurial space companies; to commercialize the technologies that are created by them; and to develop a diversified 21st century workforce to support them.
THE UNIQUE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPACE ENVIRONMENT
The business of Space is unique; the technological challenges, the extreme cost of hardware failure, and the premium placed on a successful performance record result in entrepreneurial space companies evolving in an environment unlike that of any other industry.
Fertile Ground:
That aerospace is fertile ground for the formation of entrepreneurial companies.
Innovation Engines:
That entrepreneurial space companies are a national resource. They are "innovation engines," creating technologies that transform how we reach and utilize space.
Source for Important Technologies:
That entrepreneurial space companies are an important source for technologies and innovations that can improve life on earth.
Education from Partnership:
That the most effective education comes through partnerships between academia and industry, and that by educating the aerospace workforce through such a collaboration, we can help create individuals that are extraordinarily well qualified to support our aerospace industry into the next millennium.
eSpace Impact:
That by providing a catalyst to the formation of entrepreneurial space companies, we will stimulate a thriving entrepreneurial aerospace community that will support the development of a fresh, diversified aerospace workforce, commercialize new, important technologies and that will change how we get to, explore and utilize space, making it more accessible and affordable.
Characteristics of the aerospace industry that create unique opportunities for entrepreneurial growth include:
- · There are abundant sources of research and development funding from the US government through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant program, Small business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) grant program, Broad Agency Announcements (BAA's) and non-recurring development (NRE) intensive programs.
- · The customer will frequently fund technology development, while the newly formed company retains the technology rights for broader market application.
- · Within aerospace there exists a persistent drive to outsource to nimble and efficient entrepreneurial space companies and a continuing commitment from prime contractors to support these company as they grow.
- · High-value contracts can occur that enable company break-even early in its growth.
Challenges to aerospace entrepreneurship include:
- · High barriers to entry from an industry dependent on incumbent providers that have a demonstrated track record.
- · Company growth rates and margins that are lucrative to the company, but may be longer term than traditional equity investors are familiar with, limiting this source of investment and business expertise.
- · A need for highly developed, costly infrastructure to meet quality control, manufacturing control and testing requirements.
THE PERFECT LOCATION
Boulder, Colorado is a unique location for achieving our mission:
eSpace is fewer than 10 minutes from the University of Colorado, providing an intimate connection to the world-class researchers, students and facilities of one of our nation's leading aerospace engineering universities. The University of Colorado provides a rich source of commercially viable technologies and scientists to seed new space companies, while a talented undergraduate and graduate student population provides a high-value workforce to support new companies, through work-study programs, internships, coops and permanent positions.
Our facility is co-located with an existing entrepreneurial space company, Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems Group. Although an independent entity, eSpace facilities share the same walls and, as a result, everyday we rub shoulders with a world-class space entrepreneurs intimate with the aerospace industry. Most importantly, SNC’s infrastructure, quality systems, manufacturing facility and test equipment are available on a non-interference basis to our incubated companies, eliminating one of the most significant impediments to entrepreneurial space company formation - lack of aerospace infrastructure.
Our co-location with these industry leaders is a key element of our ability to deliver extraordinary results.