KickSky Space Lab
KickSky Space Lab is India's first VC-backed space-technology startup accelerator, co-founded by Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures, and Aniara Space. It runs a no-equity, no-fee 6-month program for early-stage Indian space startups, offering grants, mentorship, and access to a NASA-partnered global network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersBangalore, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KickSky Space Lab does
KickSky Space Lab is India's first venture capital-backed space technology startup accelerator, founded in 2022 by Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures, and Aniara Space and headquartered in Bangalore with operational bases in the United States and Switzerland. The company runs a selective, application-driven 6-month accelerator program (extendable to 12 months for already-funded startups) targeting early-stage Indian space-technology startups, with plans to expand intake to global participants in future cohorts. Across its first two cohorts, KickSky has supported 11 startups, of which 7 subsequently secured institutional funding and 1 was acquired.
The accelerator's core product is a structured program comprising a 3-month active engagement phase and a 3-month passive support phase, with customized pathways addressing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Commercial Readiness Levels (CRLs), and investment readiness. Selected startups receive a $10,000 grant, 1:1 mentorship, founder and customer introductions, and access to a network spanning 10+ regions. The most differentiated component is access to E2MC's Orbital Edge mentorship network, which is partnered with NASA and connects portfolio companies to global space-ecosystem stakeholders including governments, space agencies, regulators, and universities. The program is delivered fully remote, with no equity taken and no fees charged to participants.
KickSky's business model is unconventional for an accelerator: it does not earn fees, does not take equity, and gives cash grants to participants. Its economic returns are positioned to come from portfolio companies securing institutional follow-on funding or achieving exits. In June 2026, KickSky secured a strategic investment from Ideabaaz to jointly deploy $10-15 million in promising space-tech startups globally, materially expanding its capacity to back portfolio companies. Disclosed portfolio companies include Astrome, EtherealX, ManastuSpace, VellonSpace, and Spacefields, spanning satellite communications, launch vehicles, and in-orbit services.
KickSky Space Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KickSky Space Lab
- Legal name
- KickSky
- Website
- https://kicksky.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- KickSky Space Lab is India's first VC-backed space-technology startup accelerator, co-founded by Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures, and Aniara Space. It runs a no-equity, no-fee 6-month program for early-stage Indian space startups, offering grants, mentorship, and access to a NASA-partnered global network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KickSky Space Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
Keywords
Where KickSky Space Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bangalore
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
KickSky Space Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Investment Returns from Portfolio Companies: KickSky earns returns through equity investments in portfolio startups. The accelerator provides a $10,000 grant to selected companies but does not take equity stake. Returns are realized when portfolio companies secure institutional funding or achieve exits.
- Co-investment Deployment: Strategic investment partnership with Ideabaaz to jointly deploy $10-15 million in promising space-tech startups globally, generating investment returns through successful portfolio exits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No-cost accelerator participation with grant funding |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
KickSky Space Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KickSky Space Lab operates India's first venture capital-backed space technology startup accelerator. It runs a 6-month remote program (12 months for funded startups) that supports early-stage space technology startups in achieving technical, commercial, and financial readiness for global markets, providing a $10,000 grant, customized program tracks, investor introductions, and access to E2MC's Orbital Edge mentorship network partnered with NASA.
Product overview
KickSky Space Lab operates as India's first venture capital-backed space technology startup accelerator, offering a single unified accelerator program with multiple support modules. The core program is a 6-month accelerator (with a year-long option for funded startups) that provides a $10,000 grant, E2MC's Orbital Edge Network mentorship partnered with NASA, investor network access, 1:1 personalized mentorship, customized program tracks, founder/customer introductions, and national/global resources access. The accelerator targets early-stage space technology startups and supports ventures in achieving technical, commercial, and financial readiness for global markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Space Technology Accelerator Program
Companies that use KickSky Space Lab
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
KickSky Space Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
KickSky Space Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NASA (via Orbital Edge Network)minorNASA partnership accessed through E2MC's Orbital Edge network. Provides portfolio companies with access to global mentorship from NASA-affiliated experts and the broader space ecosystem.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KickSky Space Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KickSky Space Lab social profiles
Digital presenceKickSky Space Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KickSky Space Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
KickSky Space Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KickSky Space Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KickSky Space Lab
What does KickSky Space Lab do?
KickSky Space Lab operates India's first venture capital-backed space technology startup accelerator. It runs a 6-month remote program (12 months for funded startups) that supports early-stage space technology startups in achieving technical, commercial, and financial readiness for global markets, providing a $10,000 grant, customized program tracks, investor introductions, and access to E2MC's Orbital Edge mentorship network partnered with NASA.
Is KickSky Space Lab a public or private company?
KickSky Space Lab is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was KickSky Space Lab founded?
KickSky Space Lab was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is KickSky Space Lab based?
KickSky Space Lab is headquartered in Bangalore, India, in the Asia region.
How does KickSky Space Lab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Investment Returns from Portfolio Companies are the primary driver. The others are co-investment Deployment.
Does KickSky Space Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for KickSky Space Lab.
What industry is KickSky Space Lab in?
KickSky Space Lab's product category is Startup Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated).