Orbital Edge Accelerator Rockets Forward: $500K Funding Fuels Next-Gen UAS Innovation

We are thrilled to announce that the Orbital Edge Accelerator has successfully raised $500,000 in fresh funding, marking a significant milestone in empowering the next generation of unmanned innovation. As an extension of the Oregon UAS Accelerator, our program is dedicated to supporting small to mid-sized startups engaged in developing cutting-edge unmanned aerial and ground technologies. With the infusion of this new capital, we are poised to expand our robust offerings, which include a $40K grant awarded to select startups, granting them the financial boost necessary to innovate and commercialize their breakthrough technologies. In addition to direct monetary support, the program provides free workspace, expert mentoring, and comprehensive investment training – an in-kind value amounting to $110K. Furthermore, each startup team will continue to benefit from the unique opportunity of having two paid interns sourced from local colleges and universities, allowing them access to fresh ideas and young talent without any dilution of equity. Based at the prestigious Pendleton UAS Range—an industry-leading environment boasting over 50,000 completed test flights—our accelerator offers an unmatched testing landscape. With access to 14,000 square miles of diverse flight terrain, an operational ceiling of 15,000 MSL, and the ability to test multiple drones simultaneously including laser testing and swarming capabilities, innovators get a rare opportunity to push the boundaries of unmanned system performance. This funding will enable us to further enrich our ecosystem, enhancing our support for teams to accelerate technology commercialization while driving economic growth, safety advancement, and modernization within the UAS industry. We remain committed to breaking new ground for technological innovation and stand ready to nurture visionary startups as they take flight in this dynamic market.