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lt. gen. john thompson explains how startups can interact with the space force

AVATAR Matt Burns
Matt Burns
Editorial Director, Insight Media Group
•December 18, 2020
Topics:Air ForcebusinesseconomyRoperSpaceSpace ForceStartupsStartupsTC Sessions Space 2020U.S. Space ForceUnited States
lt. gen. john thompson explains how startups can interact with the space force

Lieutenant General John Thompson of the Space Force recently participated in TC Sessions: Space. During the comprehensive discussion, General Thompson detailed the various avenues through which private companies, including startups, can collaborate with the Space Force.

General Thompson’s insights are highly informed. As the commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, he is responsible for the research, design, development, and procurement of satellites and their corresponding command and control systems for the U.S. Space Force. This position places him in frequent communication with some of the most forward-thinking and inventive startups in the field.

He identified three key actions for companies seeking to engage with the Space Force:

1) Become a member of the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC). He characterized it as “a specifically created consortium that prioritizes collaborations between the government, established industry, and non-traditional partners such as academic institutions, small businesses, and startups,” which has expanded to include over 440 members in just three years.

Toward the conclusion of the interview, General Thompson mentioned his efforts to broaden the allocation of SpEC funding to support a wider range of “groundbreaking technologies being developed by those non-traditional small businesses and startups within SpEC.”

2) Monitor announcements for Space Pitch Days. The next scheduled event is anticipated in the spring of 2021. These pitch days provide startups with a direct pathway to securing government contracts. Following the initial event, which General Thompson hosted in conjunction with the Air Force, contract offers were made within three minutes of the presentations.

3)  Explore SpaceWERX, a program initiated this December to facilitate collaboration between the Space Force and private sector companies for the rapid deployment of new technologies for military use. Similar to its Air Force equivalent, this “werx” center is a crucial element of the Space Force’s acquisition strategy.

“Dr. Roper announced this just last week at the Space and Missile System Center,” General Thompson stated, “[This] is a fundamental component of the acquisition framework for the United States. The Space Force is a complete partner in the SpaceWERX initiative. By utilizing the WERX model, we aim to integrate more small businesses and startups into our innovation network.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ86kzoTpIA

#Space Force#startups#innovation#defense#Lt. Gen. John Thompson#space industry

Matt Burns

Matt Burns is an experienced journalist specializing in technology, currently serving as Editorial Director at Insight Media Group. He previously held the position of Managing Editor at TechCrunch. Within his role at Insight Media Group, he oversees content strategy and manages programs for a portfolio of rapidly expanding technology-focused publications. Prior to this, he dedicated over fifteen years to TechCrunch, beginning as a writer and progressing to Managing Editor, where he played a key role in the growth of the news organization and the execution of events like Disrupt and other TechCrunch gatherings. He also contributed articles to Engadget in his earlier career. Matt is also a co-founder of the Resilience Conference, a series of events exploring the connections between national defense, security, and innovative startups. He is responsible for developing the conference program, facilitating discussions, and establishing “Launch @ Resilience,” a platform for showcasing emerging companies developing technologies for national security. Throughout his career, he has covered and led discussions on topics including artificial intelligence, transportation technology, cutting-edge innovations, and the challenges faced by technology businesses. He has conducted interviews with prominent figures such as global leaders, leading investors, startup founders, and CEOs of publicly traded companies. A native of Michigan with significant experience in Silicon Valley, he combines a Midwestern perspective with a keen editorial judgment. Outside of his primary responsibilities, he collaborates with teams to refine their messaging and assess market entry strategies, and enjoys camping near Lake Michigan when his schedule allows.
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Matt Burns