South Australia is continuing to grow its space industry capability with eight locally founded startups selected to take part in this year’s Venture Catalyst Space program.
Run by Adelaide University’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre, the six-month accelerator program helps early-stage companies transform innovative ideas into commercial outcomes. The 2026 cohort brings together startups working across microgravity research, climate risk, advanced materials and space-enabled data solutions.
Since launching in 2018, Venture Catalyst Space has supported 54 startups and 100 founders, helping them attract up to $135 million in investment. Alumni companies have generated more than $24.6 million in revenue and now employ more than 300 people globally, including at least 120 people in South Australia.
Adelaide University Associate Director of Business Incubation Craig Jones said the program’s impact reflects sustained investment in South Australia’s innovation ecosystem.
“Building a world-class space economy takes more than ambition,” Mr Jones said.
“It’s the result of years of investment in the right infrastructure – the connections, the growth pathways, the industry partnerships – that make it possible for founders to build world-class companies without leaving the state.”
The 2026 cohort comprises AgMap, ALTDATA Pty Ltd, EOI Space, HALO Aerotech, OffDev, Rarity, THE RED PLAN-ET and Tweaklogic. Together, these companies are developing capabilities across data, advanced manufacturing, logistics, resilience and sustainability.
Among the cohort is THE RED PLAN-ET, a startup exploring sustainable menstrual care solutions for space, including how menstrual fluid could be repurposed as plant fertiliser on long-duration missions.
Founder of THE RED PLAN-ET Mei He said participating in the program was an opportunity to build on early-stage innovation and create real-world impact.
“I have a lot of admiration for some of the incredible companies that also started out with the Venture Catalyst Space program, and I hope to follow in their footsteps in turning an early-stage idea into making a real, tangible, positive impact on Earth,” Ms He said.
“Australia is one of the world’s leading places for medical research. Combined with Adelaide being the hub for space in Australia, SA just makes sense as the place to build a startup at the intersection of space and healthcare.”
J.J. Hastings, Founder of Rarity – a start-up focused on bringing space-grade engineering home to deliver materials resilience on Earth – said the program provides both the support and connections needed to translate technical innovation into national capability.
“Venture Catalyst Space gives Rarity the runway and the network to convert deep technical readiness into sovereign capability that Australia needs now,” Ms Hastings said.
With a mission to merge space and ground data to enable decisions for land, water and climate risks, EOI Space Founder Murali Krishna, echoed the sentiment, adding that the program would help the company grow scale.
“We became aware of the Venture Catalyst Program through the South Australian innovation ecosystem and recognised it as an ideal platform to refine our solution, build partnerships and scale a globally relevant, space-enabled business from South Australia,” Mr Krishna said.
The cohort is made up entirely of South Australian-founded companies, including 40 percent led by female founders – underscoring the depth and diversity of the state’s innovation ecosystem, and highlighting a growing pipeline of high-potential businesses that are creating jobs and building sovereign capability to attract investment and compete in global markets.
