SpaceWERX

What SpaceWERX does

SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division of AFWERX, operating as a federally chartered program (not a commercial company) headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Established in 2019, it administers the Space Force's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, awarding non-dilutive contracts to small businesses developing dual-use space technologies. In fiscal year 2025, SpaceWERX executed approximately 300 contracts totaling $510 million annually across the U.S. Space Force, spanning Phase I feasibility studies ($75K–$180K), Phase II prototype development ($1.25M–$1.8M), Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI, $3M–$15M), and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI, $375K–$2M) programs, with STRATFI/TACFI requiring matching funds that pulled an additional $53M of private capital onto a $72M federal base in 2023.

Its operational model is built around a phased funding funnel supplemented by cohort programs — Orbital Prime, Tactically Responsive Space, Alternative PNT, Sustained Space Maneuver, Space-Based Environmental Monitoring, and Digital Spaceport of the Future — and engagement platforms including the Challenge Series, Velocities, and Reverse Colliders. These mechanisms pair government demand signals (generated by embedded portfolio managers at Space Systems Command, the Space Development Agency, and the Air Force Research Laboratory) with industry outreach through events, webinars, and the DoD DSIP Portal. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; rather, it operates a curated capital-and-programmatic pipeline intended to transition commercial space capabilities into Guardian operations, with select awardees such as Starfish Space ($37.5M STRATFI), Orbital Sidekick ($17M STRATFI), TrustPoint ($4M TACFI), Muon Space, Momentus, Rogue Space Systems, GetChkd, and Solestial illustrating the customer profile.

SpaceWERX generates no commercial revenue; its funding flows from federal SBIR/STTR appropriations. It is fully government-owned, with no venture, private equity, or public ownership structure, and its parent organization is AFWERX under the Air Force Research Laboratory. Recent strategic activity — including the TRL Bootcamp with The Aerospace Corporation and NASA, the $20M In-Domain Orbital Logistics Challenge with Space Systems Command, the VICTUS HAZE tactically responsive space program co-funded with the Defense Innovation Unit and Space Safari, and the Workera AI/cybersecurity workforce partnership — signals a broadening mandate and a rising ratio of administered capital to internal headcount (11–50 personnel).

Name

SpaceWERX

Legal name

SpaceWERX (United States Space Force Innovation Arm)

Website

https://spacewerx.us/

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division of AFWERX, administering SBIR/STTR programs that award non-dilutive contracts to small businesses developing dual-use space technologies. In FY2025 it executed approximately 300 contracts totaling $510M.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Defense Innovation Funding

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Defense & Missile Warning (BPAIAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC)

Keywords

• SBIR STTR programs
• Space technology funding
• Defense innovation grants
• Small business contracts
• Dual-use space technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SBIR/STTR Contract Management: SpaceWERX administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for the U.S. Space Force. The organization awards non-dilutive contracts to small businesses developing dual-use space technologies. In fiscal year 2025, SpaceWERX executed approximately 300 contracts totaling $510 million annually through the SBIR/STTR programs.
2. STRATFI/TACFI Matching Programs: Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) programs catalyze relationships between USSF, private-sector innovators, and investors. These programs bridge the gap between Phase II and Phase III by providing matching funds. In 2023, SpaceWERX invested $72M in matching programs, stretching the investment to over $125M across 14 technology programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division of AFWERX. It administers the SBIR and STTR programs, awarding non-dilutive phased contracts (Phase I through Phase III) plus STRATFI/TACFI matching funds to small businesses developing dual-use commercial space technologies for U.S. Space Force operational use. It also runs structured cohort programs, Challenges, Velocities, and Colliders to connect small businesses with operational experts, acquisition professionals, and Guardian talent.

Product overview

SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a division of AFWERX. It manages the Space Force's SBIR/STTR programs, offering a phased funding pathway from early-stage feasibility studies (Phase I: $75K-$180K) through prototype development (Phase II: $1.25M-$1.8M) to commercialization (Phase III). The organization also operates strategic and tactical funding increases (STRATFI: $3M-$15M, TACFI: $375K-$2M) that require matching funds. SpaceWERX organizes companies into cohorts focused on specific technology domains including Space-Based Environmental Monitoring, Sustained Space Maneuver, Digital Spaceport of the Future, Alternative PNT, Tactically Responsive Space, and Orbital Prime. The organization facilitates engagement through Challenge Series, Velocities, and Colliders programs, connecting small businesses with Guardians to accelerate commercial space technologies for national security applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SBIR/STTR Program SpaceWERX manages the U.S. Space Force's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, awarding contracts to startups and small businesses developing technologies with commercial and defense applications.
• Phase I: Feasibility Study
• Phase II: Prototype Development
• STRATFI (Strategic Funding Increase)
• TACFI (Tactical Funding Increase)
• SBIR/STTR Phase III
• Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Cohort
• Sustained Space Maneuver (SSM) Cohort
• Digital Spaceport of the Future Cohort
• Alternative PNT (AltPNT) Cohort
• Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) Cohort
• Orbital Prime Cohort
• Challenge Series
• Velocities
• Colliders (Reverse Collider)

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered $510M in SBIR/STTR contracts across 300 contracts in FY2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WorkeraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026U.S. Space Force partnered with Workera to develop its AI and cybersecurity workforce, assessing and upskilling over 14,000 personnel to verify mission-critical skills and enhance technical readiness supporting Department of Defense cybersecurity mandates.
• The Aerospace CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024SpaceWERX and Aerospace Corporation launched the TRL Bootcamp to bridge commercial innovation and government space mission needs. The inaugural cohort focused on in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing, providing startups with technical maturity assessments and specialized lab facilities.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024NASA entered into an Interagency Agreement with SpaceWERX to participate in the TRL Bootcamp program, with the initiative envisioned as a scalable model for other U.S. government agencies to accelerate commercial innovation for government use.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DIU partnered with SpaceWERX and Space Safari to fund the VICTUS HAZE tactically responsive space program, contributing $30M+ in funding alongside SpaceWERX investments to develop rapid-launch spacecraft capabilities for deterrence.
• Space SafaricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Space Safari, SSC's Commercial Space Office partnered with SpaceWERX on the Starfish Space $37.5M STRATFI contract and VICTUS HAZE program, providing programmatic oversight and mission execution capabilities.
• Space Systems CommandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office to identify needs, mature technology, and accelerate capabilities. This partnership enables the connection of innovative technology developers with operational experts, acquisition professionals, and Guardian talent to strengthen the defense industrial base.
• Space Development AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SpaceWERX has portfolio managers aligned with the Space Development Agency to generate demand signals and leverage the existing SpaceWERX portfolio to meet capability needs. The partnership supports next-generation space architecture development including tracking layer constellations.
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SpaceWERX is a division of AFWERX, which is powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory. This alignment provides access to over 150 specialized lab facilities including the CAVE Lab and enables seamless technology transition from research to operational programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NavalX: NavalX is the Navy's innovation cell, applying similar outreach, challenge, and SBIR/STTR acceleration models for naval and joint space programs. Comparable as a service-branch innovation arm with parallel cohort/prize structures.
• AFWERX: AFWERX is the parent organization of SpaceWERX and the Air Force innovation arm, running the broader USAF SBIR/STTR programs and Spark/Prime cohorts. Directly comparable as a DoD service-level innovation organization with similar contract vehicles and engagement models.
• AFWERX Prime: AFWERX Prime is the parent organization's cohort-based investment vehicle (e.g., Orbital Prime was launched via SpaceWERX-Prime). Directly comparable in structure as a cohort-based defense accelerator focused on specific capability gaps.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DIU accelerates commercial technology adoption across DoD, including space, and co-funds programs like VICTUS HAZE with SpaceWERX. Comparable as a DoD bridge organization connecting commercial tech to military end users.
• Army xTech: Army xTech runs SBIR/STTR-adjacent prize challenges and accelerator-style engagements for non-traditional defense vendors. Comparable as a service-level innovation office using open-topic challenges and direct industry engagement.
• NASA SBIR/STTR Program: NASA's SBIR/STTR program funds small businesses in space technology and now partners with SpaceWERX via the TRL Bootcamp Interagency Agreement. Directly comparable as a federal space R&D funding program for small businesses.

Broad incumbents

• In-Q-Tel: In-Q-Tel is the CIA-affiliated strategic investor funding dual-use commercial technology, including space startups. Comparable in mission (bridging commercial innovation to government missions) and in deploying matching capital alongside government end users.
• DARPA: DARPA funds high-risk, high-reward R&D across defense domains including space. Comparable as a federal R&D funding authority, but operates at earlier TRL and broader scope than SpaceWERX's SBIR/STTR-focused model.
• Space Development Agency (SDA): SDA is a USSF-aligned procurement organization that funds tracking-layer constellations and is a key SpaceWERX partner/demand signal source. Comparable as a space defense mission owner that SpaceWERX-funded startups must serve.
• ARPA-H: ARPA-H is a federal R&D agency funding breakthrough health research using a similar high-risk portfolio model. Comparable as a federal innovation funding authority applying program manager discretion to deploy non-dilutive and matching capital.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SpaceWERXDOD
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpaceWERXDOD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments10 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SpaceWERX