Space-Edge Accelerator propels Arizona businesses in the emerging space economy

The global space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040, offering unprecedented business opportunities in space.

Arizona State University’s Interplanetary Initiative , in collaboration with industry and academic leaders, launched the inaugural Space-Edge Accelerator, designed to propel businesses into the new space economy. Space-Edge connects entrepreneurs with experts and resources that will help them develop effective space-based business strategies.

The first cohort is focused on biomedical innovations that can benefit from the space environment or contribute to the growth of the space sector. Participants will explore innovations enabled by microgravity in areas such as stem cell growth, vaccine testing, drug delivery research and tissue culture as innovations needed to keep humans healthy in space.

The accelerator is a collaboration between ASU, Blue Origin, Space Foundation, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and Vanderbilt University. Twenty teams were selected across the four university-based hubs to participate in the inaugural cohort.

The Interplanetary Initiative selected the following five Arizona-based teams:

• Axon Logic aims to fast-track the development and commercialization of its in-memory computing technology, which can optimize energy efficiency in space environments, making it ideal for space wearables and sensors.

• Blackstar Orbital will leverage its reusable satellite platform for life science research in space by providing a stable environment for experiments in microgravity.

• MedAire, which offers medical support to transportation-based organizations, seeks to democratize space travel by extending its expertise in aviation health care to the future space-traveling public.

• NeoMatter, a team from ASU’s Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, plans to address 3D printing challenges in microgravity, particularly as those challenges relate to medically beneficial biomaterials.

• PSA is developing AdAstra, a telemedicine solution that ensures seamless task management and enhances astronaut performance during critical phases by providing real-time health diagnostics and interventions essential for long-duration missions.

While the inaugural Space-Edge cohort focuses on bridging biomedical and space industry innovations, future cohorts will expand to additional “space-adjacent” industries, such as advanced manufacturing, consumer products, artificial intelligence, agriculture and more.