CASIS and Texas Emerging Technology Fund Collaborate to Support Entrepreneurial Research on the International Space Station
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (July 17, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF), and the Governor’s Office of Aerospace and Aviation today announced a collaboration in support of entrepreneurial ventures in Texas seeking to use the International Space Station (ISS) for development of innovative commercial projects capable of improving life on Earth.
Through this unique collaboration, CASIS will match TETF portfolio early-stage companies, public private consortia, and centers of excellence to maximize funding for projects that make use of the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, which is managed by CASIS. The Governor’s Office of Aerospace and Aviation will assist in identifying potential companies for the project. The CASIS follow-on funding to TETF investments in various projects will attempt to assist in the creation of new businesses and jobs within the state of Texas, while diversifying the research portfolio onboard the ISS National Lab. It is expected that several millions of dollars in both CASIS and TETF awards will support Texas start-ups over time because of this collaboration.
“Today’s announcement creates an exciting opportunity for Texas’ entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists,” said CASIS President and Executive Director Gregory H. Johnson. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to help businesses throughout Texas bring about discoveries in various scientific disciplines that may include nanosciences, personalized medicine, technology development, and even remote sensing to better understand our planet. This collaboration will open the door to incredible research possibilities and build upon the rich space history in Texas, allowing businesses to take a leadership role in the emerging market of space commercialization.”
“Texas continues to be a leader in innovative technologies that develop products to help improve the lives of Texans and others around the globe,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “This collaboration between TETF and CASIS can further accelerate the benefits of marketplace solutions to real world problems facing our citizens, State, and Nation.”
Through TEFT and CASIS, several ventures within the fields of life sciences, healthcare, and energy are already under consideration for potential flight projects seeking to make use of this most unique laboratory environment.
This announcement continues a string of recent successes in which CASIS has brokered novel collaborations with funding organizations and/or companies to develop additional revenue streams capable of sending innovative research to the ISS National Lab.
The ISS provides a unique, one-of-a-kind microgravity environment for researchers to conduct investigations, for entrepreneurs to develop new business models, and for educators to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. To learn more about opportunities to utilize the ISS National Laboratory, please visit: http://www.iss-casis.org/Opportunities.aspx
