ASTRA Cohort 8 Demo Day Showcases the Next Generation of Aerospace and Defence Technologies
The ASTRA Accelerator has successfully concluded its 8th cohort with a Demo Day bringing together startups, investors, industry leaders, and the IAI and Starburst teams to showcase the next generation of aerospace and defence technologies.
Powered by IAI – Israel Aerospace Industries and Starburst, ASTRA connects emerging technology companies with industrial expertise, operational insights, and opportunities to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative solutions.
Seven Startups Addressing Critical Aerospace and Defence Challenges
During the Demo Day, seven startups took the stage to present their technologies and progress throughout the programme.
The cohort tackled a diverse range of challenges across aerospace and defence, including:
- Underwater sensing capabilities
- GPS-denied navigation
- UAV technologies
- Thermal management
- Vibration control
- Human performance enhancement
- GNSS disruption mapping
While addressing different operational needs, all companies shared a common ambition: developing technologies aligned with real industry challenges and working closely with IAI teams to explore, test, and validate their solutions.
Bridging Innovation and Operational Needs
Throughout the programme, startups benefited from direct engagement with IAI experts, innovation leaders, mentors, and ecosystem partners, gaining valuable insights into industrial requirements and potential applications.
The collaboration between startups and IAI teams reflects ASTRA’s core mission: helping promising technologies move from early-stage innovation toward real-world impact.
A special thank you goes to the IAI CTO Office, including Eytan Eshel, Lea Alon, and Alon Hoenig, as well as the innovation leaders who supported the cohort and shared their expertise: Inbal Kreiss, Riki Avni, Ofer Moldovan, and Yoav Herzig.
Congratulations to ASTRA Cohort 8 Startups
The 8th cohort featured:
- Audisea
- Buzzy Platform
- NanoTherma
- Navision
- AVEX
- Uncrewed Aerospace
- BOND RF
Each team demonstrated strong technological capabilities and the potential to contribute to the future of aerospace and defence.
The programme’s conclusion marks not an end, but the beginning of new collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities across the ecosystem.
Applications Open for Future ASTRA Cohorts
ASTRA continues to identify and support the most promising startups developing breakthrough technologies in aerospace and defence.
Startups building solutions in these sectors are invited to apply for future cohorts and join a global ecosystem connecting founders with industry leaders, investors, and strategic partners.
