Do you have an itch to build the next space unicorn? Start here!

By Tony Sewell

When Rob and I started talking about creating Space Insiders, there was one thing we were both passionate about - educating people across the spectrum, young and old, about the opportunities in space. Our interviews over the past 6 months with people like Brett Alexander, Jud Ready, and Erika Wagner have demonstrated so many pathways to the space economy for early, mid, and late career entrepreneurial aspirants. So for this week’s blog, I was keen to put together a bit of a catalog of great programs and resources to start, or further, your journey. Scratch that itch!

My personal story of a career in space and satellite was an evolution of my Army service in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. After a move to the US in 2010 (in pursuit of my now wife), my entry to commercial space was born largely of necessity at the tail-end of the GFC, leveraging an existing network and technology experience. Things evolved from there. Interestingly though, I’m not an engineer, and the lack of formal technical training has never been a barrier for me despite always working in or leading teams of highly technically trained people. Although if I could have my time again, I might have been more careful about those year 12 subject choices and perhaps pursued an engineering pathway. On reflection though, perhaps my non-standard background has been a key ingredient in my success?

Fast forward to 2025, the opportunities to learn and engage with the industry are incredible. I’ve completed short courses like MIT’s New Space Economy, participated in incubators and accelerators like Georgia Tech’s ATDC and University of Toronto’s Creative Destruction Lab, mentored in programs like the AWS Space Accelerator, and worked on some of the coolest cloud and satellite communications programs. Accelerators are a great place to start, not only to hone general entrepreneurship skills, but also bring highly complementary (and needed) background and perspective to the ideas folks with deep space tech expertise.

Anyway, here’s a list of great resources that’s far from exhaustive. Reach out to us if you know of local or global programs that would help build on this resource.

Universities with Dedicated Space Programs

• International Space University (ISU, France) – Multidisciplinary space education programs (Space Studies Program, Executive Space Course).

• Georgia Tech – Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering & Space Research Institute (USA) – Leading aerospace research, strong industry and NASA ties.

• MIT – Space Exploration Initiative (USA) – Research at the intersection of space and technology, fostering entrepreneurship.

• University of Colorado Boulder – Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP, USA) – One of the largest university-based space research institutes.

• University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (Canada) – Strong academic foundation, links to Creative Destruction Lab.

• University of Tokyo – Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Japan) – Pioneer in CubeSats and space tech innovation.

• Australian National University – InSpace Institute (Australia) – Cross-disciplinary hub for space research and commercialization.

• University of Luxembourg – Interdisciplinary Space Master – First graduate program focused on space resources and the space economy.

Startup Accelerators & Incubators

• AWS Space Accelerator (Global) – Accelerator program for space startups, powered by AWS & Seraphim Space.

• Creative Destruction Lab – Space Stream (Canada) – Early-stage commercialization support for deep-tech and space ventures.

• Techstars Space Accelerator (USA) – Partnering with NASA JPL, U.S. Air Force, and Lockheed Martin.

• ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC, Europe) – Network of incubation centres across Europe supporting hundreds of startups.

• Starburst Aerospace Accelerator (Global) – Aerospace and defense-focused accelerator with hubs in Paris, LA, and worldwide.

• Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator (UK) – London-based accelerator for early-stage space startups.

  
  

National & Regional Institutions

• Canadian Space Agency – Grants & Opportunities – Funding and support for Canadian space startups.

• UK Space Agency – ESA BIC UK – Incubation and funding opportunities in the UK.

• Australian Space Agency + SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre – Government-backed programs linking research, industry, and startups.

• Luxembourg Space Agency – Supports the growth of Luxembourg’s space economy with a focus on space resources.

• IN-SPACe – Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre – India’s gateway for private sector participation in space.

• Space Foundation – Space Commerce Institute (USA) – Training and workshops for space entrepreneurs.

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