Hyperspace Challenge
Defense & Space · Run by CNM Ingenuity with Air Force Research Laboratory / SpaceWERX · Albuquerque, NM
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Oct 1, 2026- Terms model
- Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
- Investment
- Not publishedGovernment-customer discovery accelerator, not an investment program: 2025 Fall Challenge page states 'There is NO promise of funding of any sort as a result of participating.' Selected 2025 companies received one-on-one consulting (the linked 2025 page lists 14 hours of consultation; an older version of the page said 6 to 10 hours) plus access to government customers; earlier editions (e.g., 2021) offered up to $100k in cash prizes. Investment/equity null accordingly. 2025 cycle: applications closed 2025-09-16, Accelerator Week 2025-11-05/06. As of 2026-09-28 no 2026 cycle has been announced and the site focuses on networking events, webinars and training, so next_deadline null.
- Equity taken
- Not publishedGovernment-customer discovery accelerator, not an investment program: 2025 Fall Challenge page states 'There is NO promise of funding of any sort as a result of participating.' Selected 2025 companies received one-on-one consulting (the linked 2025 page lists 14 hours of consultation; an older version of the page said 6 to 10 hours) plus access to government customers; earlier editions (e.g., 2021) offered up to $100k in cash prizes. Investment/equity null accordingly. 2025 cycle: applications closed 2025-09-16, Accelerator Week 2025-11-05/06. As of 2026-09-28 no 2026 cycle has been announced and the site focuses on networking events, webinars and training, so next_deadline null.
- Program length
- Not published
- Format
- Hybrid
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Cohort size
- Not published
- Stage focus
- startups and university teams with mature tech for space missions
- Sub-vertical
- space technology for USSF/AFRL
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Air Force Research Laboratory, SpaceWERX, U.S. Space Force, CNM Ingenuity
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: Government-customer discovery accelerator, not an investment program: 2025 Fall Challenge page states 'There is NO promise of funding of any sort as a result of participating.' Selected 2025 companies received one-on-one consulting (the linked 2025 page lists 14 hours of consultation; an older version of the page said 6 to 10 hours) plus access to government customers; earlier editions (e.g., 2021) offered up to $100k in cash prizes. Investment/equity null accordingly. 2025 cycle: applications closed 2025-09-16, Accelerator Week 2025-11-05/06. As of 2026-09-28 no 2026 cycle has been announced and the site focuses on networking events, webinars and training, so next_deadline null.
Get Defense & Space deadline alerts
One digest a week. Deadline alerts only for verticals you pick. Unsubscribe anytime.
Terms in plain English
Hyperspace Challenge is a government customer-discovery accelerator, not a funding program. Its own 2025 Fall Challenge page states there is no promise of funding of any sort as a result of participating. Selected companies in the 2025 cycle received one-on-one expert consulting (the current 2025 challenge page lists 14 hours of consultation) plus direct access to government customers and potential industry partners, capped by an in-person accelerator week in Albuquerque. Earlier editions (for example 2021) offered cash prizes of up to $100,000, but the current model does not. No equity is taken and no investment is made.
Who this is actually for
The 2025 cycle was restricted to small businesses holding a Phase II SBIR or STTR contract from any government agency, either within six months of completion or up to two years post-award. Earlier editions also ran tracks for university research teams, so eligibility can shift cycle to cycle.
Hyperspace Challenge application deadlines
Fall 2026 cycle, not yet announced (program has run annual fall cycles; 2025 applications closed September 16, 2025): Not accepting applications.
Verified Sep 28, 2026Source
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next Hyperspace Challenge application deadline?
- No upcoming application window is published for Hyperspace Challenge. We last verified this on Oct 1, 2026.
- How much does Hyperspace Challenge invest?
- Hyperspace Challenge does not publish an investment amount, so we record it as not published.
- How much equity does Hyperspace Challenge take?
- Hyperspace Challenge does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is Hyperspace Challenge located and is it in person?
- Hyperspace Challenge is based in Albuquerque, NM and runs a hybrid program.
- Is Hyperspace Challenge still active?
- Hyperspace Challenge is marked possibly inactive: we could not confirm a current cohort during our last check on Oct 1, 2026. Confirm directly with the program before applying.
Compare this program
Put Hyperspace Challenge side by side with up to two others to weigh cash, equity, and timing.
Compare Hyperspace ChallengeGuides that explain these terms
Plain-English mechanics, with worked hypothetical numbers.
More like Hyperspace Challenge
Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.