INNOVATORS WANTED.
Are you an entrepreneurial company, investor or service provider?
NASA is interested in hearing what programmatic features, tactics, and strategies you think would allow NASA to be more effective in the entrepreneurial system, and how to best complement NASA’s existing system.
Together, we can go further.
NASA iTech searches for and identifies advancements in technologies, NOT already funded by NASA, that are solving problems on Earth and have the potential to address existing challenges to enable NASA missions.
Join an elite group of inventors and entrepreneurs who have participated in this program. We're now looking for innovations ranging from AI, VR, robotics, medical breakthroughs, flexible materials, and any technology you feel NASA must know about.
Investors are a key part of the NASA iTech program. From being involved in evaluations and events, to getting some of the best deal-flow you'd ever imagine, if you are an investor we invite you to connect with us to learn how to get involved.
From aerospace to biotech, electronics manufacturers and more, we invite industry leaders to work with us. You will meet the most promising innovators out there. Our industry participants have sourced new partnerships and investments via NASA iTech.
Collaboration is our strength.
NASA leads the way in scientific discovery of Earth, other worlds and the cosmos. Advancing new technologies in aeronautics and space systems, NASA's missions expand the frontiers of human experience and allow American industry to cultivate a growing space marketplace. Through NASA iTech, we reach beyond traditional partnerships into early, independent innovation. NASA iTech helps us identify the innovations we will need in the future (and the people behind them). We connect innovators with investors who can help propel them forward, and industry leaders who can partner or invest in the technologies.
1Innovators from around the U.S. apply to participate each year. A cycle has specific focus areas such as artificial intelligence, medical innovations and more.
2Ten are selected to participate in a four-day NASA iTech forum. At the forums, innovators learn, practice, present, and spend time with NASA's Center Chief Technologists, investors and industry leaders.
3At the completion of the NASA iTech forum, three companies are selected as winners. These companies receive ongoing feedback, guidance and introductions to help propel them forward in their journey.
"Although public space agencies like NASA and major aerospace companies worldwide continue to be the driving forces behind humanity’s journey to Mars, an increasing number of startups…are jumping in to provide critical supporting technologies.
When we do finally put a person on Mars, don’t be surprised if many of the machines and devices that make it possible are stamped with company names and logos you’ve never heard of. Just as it takes hundreds of companies of all sizes to create and maintain our physical infrastructure here on Earth, so too will it take many ideas and many voices to build infrastructure on Mars that supports exploration and, ultimately, habitation."
FORBES Magazine
September 2018
Meet Our Alumni
NASA iTech provides a platform for NASA’s Center Chief Technologists to vet the start-up companies’ technologies for their space application, and volunteer investors and external Subject Matter Experts to vet the technologies for their commercial market viability.
Meet our recent winners below, and more of our alumni.
BlueSpace.ai Inc.
Santa Clara, CA
BlueSpace.ai – autonomous vehicle software
Full Cycle Bioplastics
San Jose, CA
New Technology for Space-Age Packaging
United Aircraft Technologies Inc.
Troy, New York
Sensor Network, AI, and Augmented Reality for Isolating Wiring Faults
Ultraviolet Light-Based Sanitizer
With passenger numbers globally projected to grow by more than 6 billion by 2030, the threat from human-borne illness will likewise increase. The GermFalcon: a sanitizing robotic device will instantly kill pathogens on airplane surfaces and in the surrounding air by using ultraviolet-C (UVC) light.
Non-Toxic Molecules Battle Biofilms
Bacteria adhere to surfaces in aqueous environments by excreting a slimy, glue-like substance – a biofilm – anchoring them to materials such as metals, plastics and inert, nano and organic surfaces. Inside the human body, biofilms threaten medical implants and a variety of healthy tissues.
Ubiquitous Wireless Charging
Wireless charging pads buried just under roadway pavement could provide as much as 10% battery boost while vehicles are idling in traffic or waiting at stoplights. Eventually, the charging pads could also convey charge even during routine travel.
Genomic Shielding from Space Radiation
Among the most significant hazards confronting space explorers is ionizing radiation that wreaks havoc on human cells and tissues. Liberty BioSecurity LLC has devised compounds that enable the human body to resist damage and, where necessary, effect repair.
Be Part of NASA iTech
Be the first to know about new NASA iTech challenges, events and other updates.
The material contained in this document is based upon work supported by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant or cooperative agreement. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.