Space Challenge Playbook

***Work in Progress***

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

1. Sponsorship Letter and Info
2. Partnership LOIs

• Sponsorship Categories and Benefits

Comms and Marketing

• Communications Plan

1. Website
2. Challenge Info and Requirements
3. FAQs
4. Sponsor and Partner Logos
5. News

• Collaboration Platform

• Videos
• Interviews
• Newsletter
• Press Releases and Media Advisory

Recruitment

• Sponsors and Partners

1. Industry Stakeholders
2. Local, Regional and National Government
3. Economic Development Authorities

• Applicants

1. Challenge RoadShow
   • Briefings
   • Outreach Opportunities
2. Targeted Campaigns
   • Academia
   • Incubators and Accelerators
   • Aerospace/Space Communities

• Judges

1. Criteria and Expertise
   • Technology Specialist
   • Business Commercialization
   • Industry Experts
   • User/Government Stakeholders

1. Recruitment letter template

• Incubator

1. Delivery Partners
2. Mentors
3. Industry Specialists

Application Process

• Requirements
• Terms and Conditions Document
• Timeline
• Application Phases

1. Phase 1: Incubation Team Selection
2. Phase 2: Finalist Down Selection
3. 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

1. Date
2. Venue
3. Catering
4. Sponsors
5. MC and Speakers
6. Public Relations and Comms

• Demo and Finals

1. Date
2. Venue
3. Catering
4. Sponsors
5. MC and Speakers
6. Public Relations and Comms
7. 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