Now through the end of August, budding space and directed energy firms have an opportunity to apply to the Soft Landing Space Tech Cohort at the Q Station in Nob Hill.
The year-long program begins in October and will provide entrepreneurs with inroads to government agencies.
Companies selected to participate will get a free workspace at the Q station for the year, a paid university intern, access to “top U.S. space research and development hubs located in New Mexico” and business assistance in government contracting, public relations, marketing and finance, according to a news release from Q Station.
"We know that space technology companies are looking for ways to work with the Space Force and other government partners, and, from a government perspective, we need collaboration with the private sector to accelerate space innovation," said Gabe Mounce, director of space force accelerators at the Air Force Research Laboratory, in a prepared statement. "This Soft Landing program is a novel way for companies to connect directly with Space Force and Air Force leadership in one of the country's most dynamic space hubs and explore ways to grow their business fairly risk-free."
Aerospace is one the state’s target industries for economic development, and new startup programs focused on the industry may lead to more high-paying jobs locally if the companies succeed and stay put.
Participants in the Soft Landing Space Tech Cohort will have the opportunity to work with leadership at the U.S. Space Command and scientists and engineers at the AFRL, the release says. Applicants will be expected to move at least one staff member to the Q Station.
The unveiling of the accelerator comes about three months after the debut of the Q Station, located at 3225 Central Ave. It is designed to allow aerospace, directed energy and related tech companies to work with government entities and private industry, Business First reported.
The organization's founding partners include the Air Force Research Laboratory, the city of Albuquerque's Economic Development Department, New Mexico Tech, the New Mexico Trade Alliance, NewSpace New Mexico and Global Ties ABQ.
The New Mexico Trade Alliance is Q Station's program manager and was awarded a $750,000 SPRINT grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant will go toward the purchase of communications technology for the Q Station and provide funding for programming and internship opportunities for New Mexico university students, according to a separate Q Station news release.
"New Mexico is leading the country in space innovation but many companies just don't know much about doing business here or how they would get involved in our growing space ecosystem. We hope that the Soft Landing program will ease that transition and help companies get engaged quickly and effectively," New Mexico Trade Alliance president Randy Trask said in a statement.
