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 essential to ecosystem building.

Purpose

It is important to get alignment on the challenge high level goals for each key partner. This is normally conducted through a series of brain storming, goals setting meetings to reach consensus among stakeholders before attempting to define the challenge problem statement.

High Level Goals

Challenge is used as a tool to catalyze a space ecosystem in a country or region.

Framing Challenge Benefits and Goals

• Catalyzing ideas, projects, startups and businesses
• Solving an inherent local problem
• Platform for education and outreach
• Build technology capabilities within the country or region
• Showcase existing talent and capabilities
• Catalyze collaboration and partnerships, and build relationships
• Creates spin-offs from existing industries

Major Timelines

• Defining the Problem Statement
• 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

Major Elements

Problem Definition and Scoping

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

Tools

• Zoom Rooms (Meeting and Webinar)
• Doodle
• Google Drive
• Slack

Platforms

• SlideRoom (Recruitment Forms)
• SpaceBase Platform (Incubator Collaboration Platform)