Technical programme
IAC-26 — 77th International Astronautical Congress
E6. IAF BUSINESSES AND INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM
The Business Innovation Symposium, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), is designed to offer papers that observe, study, analyze, describe, and/or propose any topic related to space activities that have commercial objectives, whether from an academic and/or practitioner perspective.
- Coordinator
Nancy C. Wolfson
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) — United States
E6.1. (To be updated) Space Entrepreneurship and Investment: The Practitioners' Perspectives
This session contains a broad spectrum of entrepreneurship, innovation, finance and investment presentations from the practitioner's perspective. Suggested topics suitable for this session can be at any level of analysis, including (from macroscopic to microscopic) the space sector, industries (e.g., propulsion), industry segments (e.g., chemical propulsion), individual firms, a portion of or a group of individuals within a firm, or an individual. Example entrepreneurship and innovation topics suitable for this session include descriptions related to entrepreneurship and innovation such as new market sectors, new businesses, new business plans, new projects, recent experiences of start-up companies. Suitable finance or investment topics apply to large programmes, new firms, the analysis methodologies of markets, or new developments in the finance and investment communities (including angel investors, venture capital organizations, and investment banks).
E6.2. (To be updated) Government and Industry Perspectives on the Future of Space Commerce
This innovative session convenes experts from different sectors within the space industry and leaders from both the private sector and government agencies to explore their roles and emerging best practices that encourage the envisioning, building, and maturing of NewSpace trade and markets. 1. Therefore, we welcome submissions that explore recent advancements in the commercialization of space, propose business models, define new markets, encourage diversification, sustainability, and attract private investment. This can include traditional space industry applications (satellite-based services encompassing Earth observation, navigation, and communications), and emerging opportunities such as settlements, destinations (i.e., private space stations), resource extraction (asteroid mining, debris commercialization), transportation, industrialization, new financing and insurance, and other sub-sectors. Also, consider: What government actions best encourage space commerce from an entrepreneurial and "government-as-enabler" viewpoint in an era of both constrained resources and major opportunities? Consider policies, regulations, public infrastructure, and other possible investments to bridge the gap between business and government objectives, fostering a more robust and sustainable space economy from a uniquely entrepreneurial perspective. 2. We welcome papers on the value and use of industry principles and how they could be best developed. How could/should they interact with government-driven principles such as the Artemis Accords or the UN Guidelines? This could influence entrepreneurial activities, including startups, medium and large businesses, and established and emerging markets. Address the challenges of bringing government and industry together, including balancing their objectives and obligations for the public interest with a company's business cycle and obligation to shareholders, maintaining healthy public-private boundaries, and building mutual trust. This session will open with an invited keynote speaker, followed by a panel of experts for a discussion and Q&A period, and will conclude with paper presentations.
E6.3. (To be updated) Innovation: The Academics' Perspectives
This session will contain academic presentations, at any level of analysis, and on any aspect of entrepreneurship, innovation, finance, or investment, organization theory, investment, etc. Variance and phenomenological studies are encouraged. Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods approaches are all accepted. Academic domains of interest include strategic management, economics, leadership, innovation management, and all perspectives of organization theory (including organizational economics, cognition and interpretation, power and dependence, technology, learning, complexity and computation, institutions, networks, ecology, and evolution). At a minimum, submissions are expected to be at the level of working papers performed as part of any graduate degree programme (i.e., masters, doctoral, and post-graduate). This work can include theoretical and applied research.
E6.4-GTS.1. (To be updated) Entrepreneurship Around the World
Entrepreneurship presents unique opportunities and challenges from country to country around the world. Some of the experiences of entrepreneurs transcend national and cultural borders, but some others do not. This session welcomes papers and presentations which describe the barriers experienced by real entrepreneurs in their different countries and regions. A panel with industry experts from around the world will set the stage followed by a discussion which highlights the commonalities and unique characteristics of nation-specific entrepreneurial barriers as identified by the individual papers presented. This is a technical session co-sponsored by the IAF Space Entrepreneurship and Investment Committee (SEIC) and the IAF Workforce Development/Young Professionals Programme Committee, as part of the Global Technical Sessions – presenters can present in person at the IAC or from their home/work/university location."
- Co-Chair
Eleonora Lombardi
Fondazione E. Amaldi — Italy
E6.IP. (To be updated) Interactive Presentations - IAF BUSINESS INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM
This session offers a unique opportunity to deliver your key messages in an interactive presentation on any of the subjects of Business Innovation addressed in the classic Sessions. The presentation will be displayed on a digital screen in a dedicated location and available for view by all Congress attendees for the entire Congress week. In addition, one afternoon is dedicated exclusively for the attendees to view the Interactive Presentations, and the author will be assigned a specific ten minute slot to personally present the topic and interact with the attendees present. The Interactive Presentation may take advantage of all electronic display capabilities, such as: PowerPoint charts, embedded hot links, pictures, audio and video clips etc. An award will also be presented to the author of the best Interactive Presentation in the E Category at a special ceremony. An Abstract that follows the standard format must be submitted by the deadline for standard IAC abstracts.