PITTSBURGH, PA (May 29, 2025) – Five Pennsylvania-based companies won a combined $200,000 Thursday through the inaugural Keystone Space Innovation Challenge, an initiative designed to further explore the untapped potential in space technology and commercial research and development to create solutions that better people’s daily lives.
Launched by the Keystone Space Collaborative (Keystone Space) and Innovation Works, the Challenge drew applicants from across the Commonwealth. The awardees span a range of industries, proving the versatility and promise of spaced-enabled advancements in transforming life on Earth.
“The Challenge demonstrates the limitless possibilities for space-inspired innovation and depth of talent here in the Commonwealth,” said Justine Kasznica, Keystone Space Founding Member and Board Chair. “By supporting these businesses, we can accelerate their innovative ideas and strengthen Pennsylvania’s influence in the global space sector.”
The winning companies include:
- Beyond Reach Labs – Pittsburgh, PA ($50,000): To advance its Pop-up Extending Truss (PET), a foldable building system which can quickly and safely set up things like towers and shelters for use in space, military missions, and emergency situations.
- Goeppert LLC – Philadelphia, PA ($50,000): To develop new ways of making high-quality MoS2, a next-generation semiconductor material, by studying how it grows in microgravity aboard the International Space Station—helping improve the performance of future electronic devices.
- Monolith LLC – Ford City, PA ($50,000): To build and test a small space aquarium prototype that will help scientists learn how fish and other sea life grow in space and explore new ways to support food production and sustainability for future space missions and a changing Earth climate.
- Kurt J. Lesker Company – Jefferson Hills, PA ($25,000): To create a training program that teaches people how to work with vacuum systems used in space through hands-on and online training programs, diversifying the skills of the region’s workforce.
- Revitalize – Pittsburgh, PA ($25,000): To make new eye care products faster through space research and development, like special eye drops that reduce eye strain from looking at screens too long—meeting the needs of the modern consumer and helping people’s eyes feel better and stay healthier.
Awardees competed in two categories: Commercial Space Technology Concepts and In-Space Research and Development Commercial Concepts. The Challenge required them to submit a business plan then participate in a pitch event, where a panel of judges selected the most promising concepts. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provided funding for the Challenge.
“The Challenge attracted an impressive pool of innovators with bold ideas,” said Jonathan Volk, Keystone Space Founding Board Member. “The companies funded through it represent the kind of high-impact innovation Keystone Space aims to inspire and strengthens our regional space ecosystem, positioning it to make a lasting impact here on Earth and beyond.”
A Launchpad for Tri-State Leadership in Space
With the global space economy projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040, the Challenge offers early-stage companies and entrepreneurs the needed resources and visibility to succeed.
Keystone Space hopes to expand the Challenge to Ohio and West Virginia in the coming years, pending multi-state funding, fostering a collaborative environment that drives growth and expands opportunities throughout the region.
“Companies are leveraging regional capabilities in AI, Robotics and Life Sciences to develop innovative technologies that are integral to further the cause of space exploration and commercialization” said Ven Raju, President and CEO of Innovation Works. “The Keystone Space Innovation Challenge offers a unique funding and support platform for companies with technologies that have direct or adjacent applications in space exploration and commercialization.”
To request photos of the awardees, email molly@mindfulkreative.com. Additional details about the Challenge can be found at: https://keystonespace.org/innovation-challenge/
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ABOUT THE KEYSTONE SPACE COLLABORATIVE
Founded in 2021, the Keystone Space Collaborative is a nonprofit organization committed to attracting, growing and amplifying the next generation of space industry businesses and talent in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. By convening people passionate about space, the Keystone Space Collaborative aims to attract more opportunities for job creation, inclusive prosperity and growth in this fast-growing sector. To learn more, visit keystonespace.org.
ABOUT INNOVATION WORKS
Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since its inception of the seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 780 companies that have gone on to raise $3.3 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org.