We’re out-of-this-world excited to announce that we’ve finalized our dedicated Space Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024. It joins Fintech, SaaS and AI as the other industry-focused stages — all under one big roof. To top it off, we’re thrilled to share we’ll be hosting a pitch competition this year called “The Space Challenge, powered by Aerospace” as part of the event.

The full Space Stage agenda at Disrupt 2024

As the space industry accelerates, new opportunities proliferate for founders, investors and customers. Not only are the once-astronomical costs of doing business in orbit falling but so are the technical barriers to entry.

More stakeholders in space make for a lively, diverse and highly competitive environment crossing private and public markets — not to mention the fast-growing dual-use segment. Discover the challenges and possibilities waiting in orbit at Disrupt’s Space Stage, where you’ll hear from leaders across the industry.

Check out the final agenda below — we’ll see you there!

Startups in Dual-Use

with John Gedmark (Astranis), Even Rogers (True Anomaly), Melanie Stricklan (Space Workforce 2030), Tim Solms (Slingshot Aerospace)

Government and defense are relying more and more on commercial services, but startups face a real challenge entering this highly regulated and formal side of the industry. How can young, lean companies compete for contracts and attention with primes and more established organizations — and how can investors help?

Future of Space Operations Startup Challenge

Presented by the Aerospace Corporation

with Cody Bronkar (SpaceWERX), Debra Emmons (The Aerospace Corporation), and Justin Krauss (J.P. Morgan)

TechCrunch and the Aerospace Corporation are once again joining forces for the Space Challenge pitch competition. The contest is designed to foster the growth and development of innovative startups poised to transform commercial space operations. By engaging the founder and innovator community, venture capitalists and the commercial industry, this session will cast a wide net, attracting startups from both the space sector and beyond. Applications are now closed, but this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Peter Beck Takes the Space Industry by the Fins

with Peter Beck (Rocket Lab)

As the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, Peter Beck is a familiar face to anyone in the space industry. But the company’s ambitions go far beyond its popular Electron launch vehicle: Beck believes that to thrive, perhaps even to survive, space companies will have to become fully integrated one-stop shops. Hear how Rocket Lab is pursuing this ambitious goal.

The Future of Launch

with Kelly Hennig (Stoke Space) and Muhammad “Mo” Shahzad (Relativity Space)

Launch has already been reinvented over the last decade, but why stop there? The demand for space is growing as fast as launch cadences permit, but there is an opportunity beyond making rockets and vehicles. Startups will likely define the future of launch-related software, automation, and operations if these founders have anything to say about it.

Bridgit Mendler on Moving from Disney Star to Startup Founder

with Bridgit Mendler (Northwood Space)

Former Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler wants to transform one of the least sexy segments of the space industry: ground stations. In this fireside, we’ll learn more about how Northwood Space will build out a data highway between Earth and orbit.

Riding the Wave: The Future of Space Investing

with Lewis Alun Jones (Seraphim Space), Katelin Holloway (Seven Seven Six), Jordan Noone (Embedded Ventures)

Private investments in commercial space companies have exploded over the past few years but investor appetite has been tempered more recently by higher interest rates, turbulent space stock performance and geopolitical uncertainties. In this talk, we’ll discuss the future of space tech investing, which areas are oversaturated or undervalued, and whether this year will be make-it-or-break-it for space startups.

Explore the future of space innovation at Disrupt

TechCrunch Disrupt is where you’ll find innovation for every stage of your startup journey. Whether you’re a budding founder with a revolutionary idea, a seasoned startup looking to scale or an investor seeking the next big thing, TechCrunch Disrupt offers unparalleled resources, connections and expert insights to propel your venture forward. Over 10,000 startup and VC leaders will be attending this year’s event, taking place October 28-30 at Moscone West in San Francisco.

Blast off with us as top space leaders take the stage at Disrupt 2024! Secure your tickets now and be a part of the exploration journey.