In space we can do things better than, or that can’t be done at all, on the ground. For example, the absence of gravity means we can do certain chemical reactions and can discover new medicines that are simply not possible from our grounded perspective.

For example, the process of protein crystalisation.

Your challenge is to research opportunities related to discovering and maybe one day manufacturing new medicines in space, for Earth, and to design a commercially viable solution to explore and develop medicine related opportunities over time.

Top competing teams including a first-step microgravity experiment as a part of their proposal will win an opportunity for their technology to be flown and evaluated in zero gravity on a Beings Systems parabolic flight, to validate that your system can really operate in the space environment.

1. Design a prototype of an experiment that can test and validate a first step towards a broader space medicine opportunity. Consider existing research in areas like protein crystallization in space and 3D printing of synthetic replacement organs as inspiration.
2. Prepare a 3-minute video demonstrating and pitching your proposed solution. You can follow any narrative structure you prefer, but one you could follow is walking through the stages of: What is the problem? What should the solution resemble? What is your technology to realise this? What’s your proposed business model? Who are your first target customers, and how do you know they really want your solution? What’s your assessment of the market opportunity? What does the competitive landscape look like? Who is your A-team and why are you the best to build this? What would come next to make it real? What would you need to do that?

NOTE: Teams may perform background research before the event, but any group that starts building before the 48 hour timer starts will be disqualified.

First Prize

• $1000 cash
• $2000 worth of units in our 2022 fund (i.e. targeting 12 space tech investments)
• Moonshot t-shirts – 60 minutes of free Moonshot coaching
• A copy of ‘Space is open for business’ by Robert Jacobsen

Second Prize

• $500 cash
• $1000 worth of units in our 2022 fund (i.e. targeting 12 space tech investments)
• Moonshot t-shirts – 60 minutes of free Moonshot coaching
• A copy of ‘Space is open for business’ by Robert Jacobsen

Third Prize

• • Moonshot t-shirts
  • 60 minutes of free Moonshot coaching
  • A copy of ‘Space is open for business’ by Robert Jacobsen

Challenge Sponsor Prize

• Top competing teams will win an opportunity for their technology to be flown and evaluated in zero gravity on a Beings Systems parabolic flight, as a first step to validate that your system can really operate in the space environment.
• One-on-one mentoring with Beings Systems.

Technology

• You’re building a Minimum Viable Product, you don’t need to build a fully functioning system – although if you managed to, we’d certainly be impressed!

Solution

• You can focus more or less on different aspects of the solution space. For example, perhaps your skills will be more attuned to developing financial modelling rather than prototyping a physical system. Use the skills of your team to your advantage, and use your unique perspectives to think outside of the box in creating your unique solution.