Space Challenge Playbook
***Work in Progress***
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Purpose
- 3 Establishing Challenge Work Streams, Roles and Responsibilities
- 4 Project Plan
- 5 Major Timelines
- 6 Budget Plan
- 7 Major Elements
- 8 Sub Elements
- 9 Road Map, Milestones and Timeline
- 10 Sample Impact
Introduction
Leveraging Incentive Prizes
Incentive prizes have been used throughout history for catalyzing industries and innovation. From the Longitude Prize that ushered accurate maritime navigation globally to the Orteig Prize that jump started the aerospace industry, prize competitions give birth to ideas, entrepreneurs and businesses. In addition, it is a platform that can also be used to educate, train and influence the general public towards understanding the many opportunities and benefits a space industry can provide to a country. It is also a platform to prototype different ways of incubating, mentoring and supporting space entrepreneurs and startups as they work towards leveraging space technologies to solve local problems while creating potential economic growth.
It is in this vein that SpaceBase has decided to run space competitions to create a nascent space ecosystem in New Zealand. It is an experiment that can be ported to other nations and regions who are interested in building their own space industry. Using competitions, SpaceBase has been able to deliver a single project while working towards all its higher level goals of education, entrepreneurship and community building essential to ecosystem building.
Purpose
Framing Challenge Benefits and Goals
- Catalyzing ideas, projects, startups and businesses
- Solving an inherent local problem
- Platform for education and outreach
- Catalyze collaboration and partnerships
- Creates spin-offs from existing industries
High Level Goals
Building a Space Ecosystem in a country or region.
Establishing Challenge Work Streams, Roles and Responsibilities
Project Plan
Major Timelines
- Launch
- Incubator Application Deadline
- Incubator Down Select
- Incubator Teams Announcement
- Incubator Period
- Application Deadline
- Finalist Down Select
- Finalists Announcement
- Demo Day
- Pitchfest and Awards Ceremony
- Post Challenge Incubation
Budget Plan
Major Elements
Problem Definition and Scoping
Technology Leveraged
Problem Statement Elements
Defining the Challenge: Ideation of Problem Space
- UN SDGs
- Determining the Industry Space
- Research and Interviews from the Industry Ecosystem
- Identifying several theme problem focus areas
- Choosing the problem
- Finalizing the Problem Statement
Lessons Learned
- NZ Space and Aerospace Challenges
- Other Challenges
Challenge Mechanics
- Process
- Rubric
(Example: PPT Slide for Goals Session NZ Challenge)
Partnership and Collaborations
- Anchor Partners
Funding and Sponsorship
Prize Structure
- Funding Plan Campaign
- Sponsorship Letter and Info
- Partnership LOIs
- Sponsorship Categories and Benefits
Comms and Marketing
Communications Plan
- Website
- Challenge Info and Requirements
- FAQs
- Sponsor and Partner Logos
- News
- Collaboration Platform
- Videos
- Interviews
- Newsletter
- Press Releases and Media Advisory
Recruitment
Sponsors and Partners
- Industry Stakeholders
- Local, Regional and National Government
- Economic Development Authorities
Applicants
- Challenge RoadShow
- Briefings
- Outreach Opportunities
- Targeted Campaigns
- Academia
- Incubators and Accelerators
- Aerospace/Space Communities
Judges
- Criteria and Expertise
- Technology Specialist
- Business Commercialization
- Industry Experts
- User/Government Stakeholders
- Recruitment letter template
Incubator
- Delivery Partners
- Mentors
- Industry Specialists
Application Process
- Requirements
- Terms and Conditions Document
- Timeline
- Application Phases
- Phase 1: Incubation Team Selection
- Phase 2: Finalist Down Selection
- Phase 3: Final Demonstration and Pitch Presentation
- Application Platform Setup
- Creating Application Forms
- Application Contacts
- Acceptance and Announcements
- Finalist Info Packs
Judging and Evaluations
- Judging Information Packet
- Evaluation Platform Setup and Access
- Evaluation Timelines
- Alignment Sessions
Incubator
- Program Timeline and Schedule
- Incubator Info Pack
- PR & Announcements
- Team Needs
- Webinar Setups
- Collaboration Platform Setup
- Background Resources
- Check-ins
Post Challenge Support
- Co-working space
- Startup Mentorship
Events Planning and Execution
- Launch
- Date
- Venue
- Catering
- Sponsors
- MC and Speakers
- Public Relations and Comms
- Demo and Finals
- Date
- Venue
- Catering
- Sponsors
- MC and Speakers
- Public Relations and Comms
- Expo
Sub Elements
Contacts and Databases
Collateral (Pics, Logos, Videos, Docs)
Tools
- Zoom Rooms (Meeting and Webinar)
- Doodle
- Google Drive
- Slack
Platforms
- SlideRoom (Recruitment Forms)
- SpaceBase Platform (Incubator Collaboration Platform)