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Innosphere Earth and Space Systems Accelerator is a cohort program in Fort Collins, Colorado for early-stage technology startups in space, cleantech, climatetech, quantum and photonics. Funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, it is built around Colorado-based companies and covers their participation fees. The inaugural cohort of 14 companies began in late 2025, ran for nine months and graduated in June 2026, with most curriculum delivered over Zoom and select investor meetings held in person. Each company works with a dedicated client director, usually a former senior executive, on strategy, investor materials, business models and introductions to partners and advisors, and five to six mentors join each subgroup for the closing months. Innosphere, a nonprofit founded in 1998, takes no equity, and its venture fund decides on any investment separately from admission. The operator, Innosphere, ranks 36th on the 2026 TIME and Statista list of America’s Best Incubators and Accelerators.
Frequency
1x/year
Duration
9 months
Investment
None — no investment or non-dilutive funding provided
Equity
None — equity-free program
Program fees
Free for Colorado companies; Undisclosed for others
Where
USA
Sectors
CleanTech, Climate Action, DeepTech, Space
Stages
Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Eligibility
• Colorado-based companies; startups located elsewhere should discuss suitability with the program team before applying
• Companies from late formation to early launch that are testing product-market fit, ideally with a working prototype, initial market validation and six to nine months of working capital
• Startups selling exclusively to government should discuss their needs before applying
• Solo founders eligible, with team composition assessed
• Participants must attend workshops, mastermind sessions and regular reviews, take part in the online community, and keep an objectives and key results document
Selection process
• Applications evaluated on receipt, with shortlisted companies interviewed
• Evaluation on innovative solution, stage of development, team composition and founder characteristics
• Acceptance decisions communicated by late September
Benefits
• Cohort-based curriculum delivered mostly over Zoom, with select in-person sessions and investor meetings
• Help building investor decks, communications strategy and business models
• Company assessment and objectives and key results to track progress against a capital strategy
• Five to six mentors from industry, investment, academia and technology advocacy during the final months
• Introductions to corporate partners, research institutions, government collaborators and investors
• Market and investor research support from Innosphere research associates
• Legal and regulatory strategy covered in the curriculum; company-specific legal and regulatory advice is not included
• Discounts on service providers through Innosphere and its partners; lab space and equipment are not included and are leased separately
• Startups keep ownership of intellectual property created during the program
• Alumni access to networking events; continued client director support is a separate paid arrangement
Notable alumni
Network
Funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Aligned with the NSF ASCEND Engine, which Innosphere leads. Connected to corporate partners, research institutions and government collaborators across Colorado. Program led by Bud Michael.
Portfolio
14 companies in the inaugural 2025 cohort
Funds raised
Unreported — no aggregate alumni funding total available
🕐 Sep 2026
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