Space Challenge Playbook
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.
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 Builds the 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) Road Map, Milestones and Timeline
Sample Impact NZ Space Challenge Outcomes NZ Aerospace Challenge Outcomes
