ACCELERATE
SPACE & DEFENSE
TECHNOLOGIES &
RESEARCH in
AEROSPACE

About Astra

Where Aerospace and Defense Startups Lift Off

ASTRA is Israel’s leading accelerator for early-stage startups in Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Dual-Use tech—powered by IAI and Starburst, the world’s #1 aerospace accelerator.

If you’re building something bold and groundbreaking in this domain, this is the program that can get you funded, validated, and connected.

Why ASTRA?

Unmatched Access. Real Results.

Up to $100K in funding + $100K in strategic in-kind support
Get capital + fundraising, outreach, and business development support.
Work directly with IAI & aerospace OEMs
Co-develop, pilot, and validate your tech with real customers.
7-Month Deep-Dive Program
Structured to accelerate proof of concept, market fit, and VC-readiness.
Global Exposure
Plug into our worldwide network of VCs, corporates, and ecosystem leaders.
Prime Workspace
Operate from our Tel Aviv innovation HQ—right where the action happens.

What You’ll Get

POC Opportunities with IAI, strategic partners & defense primes
Hands-on mentorship from Starburst and IAI’s top engineers, operators, and business leads
Access to a global network of aerospace VCs, OEMs, and dual-use investors
Support for fundraising, product-market fit, and go-to-market strategy
A proven platform to launch, grow, and scale

Who We’re Looking For

If you’re building tech with edge, vision, and scale potential, we want to talk.

17.9

$ M raised

Average of TRL jump across portfolio

2.3

x unrealized MOIC

of startups doing a pilot with IAI

dual-use focus

startups accelerated across 6 cohorts

AVIATION

Supersonic. Hybrid. eV/STOL. UAV. Fuel cell / Hydrogen. UAS. UTM. Autonomy. Avionics

SPACE

Satellites. Launch. Data Comm. Remote sensing. Earth observation.

DEFENSE

Integrated systems. UAV. UAS & Counter. Data Comm. Optical. Cybersecurity

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

Materials. Energy. Robotics. AI. Connectivity. Autonomy

DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGIES

Applications in both defense and civilian sectors.

AVIATION

Supersonic. Hybrid. eV/STOL. UAV. Fuel cell / Hydrogen. UAS. UTM. Autonomy. Avionics

SPACE

Satellites. Launch. Data Comm. Remote sensing. Earth observation.

DEFENSE

Integrated systems. UAV. UAS & Counter. Data Comm. Optical. Cybersecurity

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

Materials. Energy. Robotics. AI. Connectivity. Autonomy

DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGIES

Applications in both defense and civilian sectors.

Founded in 2012, Starburst is an innovation catalyst in the global Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry. Combining three complementary activities – accelerators, consulting, and ventures – they help stakeholders innovate, navigate and invest in the dynamic ecosystem. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Madrid, and Washington DC, the team has built a robust community with 60+ partners and a portfolio of 140+ startups. Starburst’s leading Flagship Accelerator program helps startups scale their business in aviation, space, and defense with access to one of the largest groups of corporate representatives, government stakeholders, and private venture investors in the world.