Industry Leaders Drive Growth of 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator

Partner support helps expand opportunities and access for startups advancing technologies and business solutions in low Earth orbit

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Increased support from investors, sponsors, and industry partners has fueled the growth of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory's Orbital Edge Accelerator in its second year, creating new opportunities for startups developing space-enabled technologies and business ventures. The collective efforts of these partners helped attract strong interest in the program, resulting in the selection of eight innovative startups. The companies in this year's cohort are now working with mentors, industry leaders, and financial experts to advance their business models and accelerate their path to commercial success.

The continued growth of Orbital Edge has been driven by a network of global investment partners, including CIRI, Context Ventures, Draper Associates, Draper University, E2MC, and Stellar Ventures. Their engagement has expanded the program's reach and strengthened investment opportunities, raising the available funding from up to $500,000 per startup to between $500,000 and $750,000. This increased support also enabled the accelerator to expand its 2026 cohort from six startups to eight.

In addition to investment partners, the accelerator has benefited from the involvement of sponsors committed to fostering collaboration across the entrepreneurial and aerospace communities. Boeing, serving as the program's presenting sponsor, will also award one of the cohort participants the Technology in Space Prize, which consists of $100,000 in non-dilutive funding. Corporate sponsor Fenwick and event sponsors Aegis Aerospace Inc., BAE Systems, Greenberg Traurig, and J.P. Morgan play an important role in connecting startups with leaders across the space, technology, business, and financial sectors. 

The 2026 accelerator program has also expanded pathways to in-space testing through the addition of dedicated flight sponsors. Exotrail, Loft Orbital, and Rogue Space Systems Corporation have committed to providing complimentary or discounted flight opportunities that may be awarded to selected Orbital Edge startups. These contributions may also assist with payload and hardware development activities, helping reduce barriers to entry and creating additional avenues for future in-space demonstrations. In addition, Orbital Edge startups benefit from the Google for Startups Cloud program, which is providing cohort members with up to $200,000 in cloud credits over two years.

"Orbital Edge is designed to accelerate the conversion of highly promising startup innovation in space into real-world commercial successes, driving increased value creation from the assets of the space station while leveraging private capital and industry partnerships," said ISS National Lab Chief Economist Sven Eenmaa. "The commitment of our investment partners, sponsors, and industry collaborators has been instrumental in creating an environment where entrepreneurs can access the expertise, resources, and connections needed to accelerate growth and unlock opportunities within the expanding space economy."

Through mentorship, strategic guidance, and direct engagement with investors and industry experts, startups in the Orbital Edge cohort are refining their plans to leverage the unique space environment to validate technologies and strengthen business strategies. These efforts will culminate in a Demo Day event in San Francisco this December, where each startup will present its planned spaceflight project.

For more information on the Orbital Edge Accelerator, visit www.OrbitalEdgeAccelerator.com.

Download a high-resolution image for this release: Orbital Edge Support

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

 

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SOURCE International Space Station National Lab