About us
What is astra?
ASTRA is Israel’s first aerospace & defense accelerator, connecting startups in aerospace and defense with strategic opportunities, from pilots to joining MVP, getting customers and raising funding. Anchored in Tel Aviv, our unique 7 month program comprised of a 5‑month intensive bootcamp followed with a 2-months post‑accelerator support, allows startups to quickly explore a proof of concept with IAI and other global aerospace and defense OEMs, get warm introductions to our A&D focused investors resulting in early collaboration to prove the business model and get funded.
Israel aerospace industries
Founded in 1953, Israel Aerospace Industries is Israel’s first aerospace and defense company. From originally overhauling World War II-era aircraft during the 1950s to co-developing the world renowned Iron Dome, IAI has played a critical role in shaping the history of Israel and the greater Middle East. Today, IAI features 4 business units – Elta Systems (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), Systems Missiles & Space (space), Military Aircraft (UAS), and the Aviation Group (components & maintenance) – and also delivers land, naval, cyber, and space capabilities to customers worldwide.
Starburst
Founded in 2012, Starburst is an innovation catalyst in the global Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry. Combining three complementary activities – startup accelerators, strategy consulting, and venture investments – they help A&D stakeholders innovate, navigate and invest in the dynamic ecosystem. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Madrid, and Washington D.C., the team has built a robust community with 60+ partners and a portfolio of 150 startups. Starburst’s leading Flagship Accelerator program helps startups scale their business in aviation, space, and defense, as well as enabling technologies, with access to one of the largest groups of corporate representatives, government stakeholders, and private investors in the world to help startups win their first contracts.
Starburst’s mission is to drive innovation to shape the future of Aerospace & Defense, empowering leaders and investing in bold innovators with our deep sector expertise and global network.
Starburst serves as a link between investors, corporates and governments, on a mission to unleash disruption.
Starburst is the world’s leading aerospace and defense accelerator. Its mission is to help create, shape and pave the future of aerospace working with private and public partners to build innovation hubs all over the world. We assist the industry majors, academia and government institutions to capture opportunities for growth by connecting them with innovative aerospace technologies. With offices in Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Singapore and Seoul, the team has built an ecosystem of key players in the aerospace and defense industry, including more than 10,000 startups in its network. Every year, Starburst organizes numerous international and national events that bring together all the innovators in the aerospace and defense industry. Starburst also honors startups and innovative research projects at international air shows.
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Investors, industry, and mentors all play a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs and startups.
Open innovation demonstrates the most effective way for startups and multinationals to come together and productize innovations into the market at speed!
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