A COLLABORATION OF

What is SCALE?

SCALE is an aerospace accelerator for pre-seed and seed stage companies, a 13 week program that serves as a platform for entrepreneurs to launch and scale their businesses. The program is composed of lectures, workshops, pitch practice sessions, networking opportunities, and special events, culminating with a Demo Day.

SCALE is designed to inspire a generation of students, entrepreneurs, and investors to pursue the development and advancement of novel technologies with aerospace applications, here in Southern California.

 Each team selected for the program will receive personalized instruction and engage with industry leaders, subject matter experts, potential partners and customers and investors. SCALE helps teams set milestones, advance Technology Readiness Level, define product-market fit, build customer relationships, and secure the next round of funding. Teams will have access to Starburst’s extensive global network and become part of an ecosystem that includes Starburst and UCLA alumni, established aerospace entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners, customers, academic researchers, and more.

SCALE is run by Starburst in collaboration with UCLA Samueli School Of Engineering. UCLA’s Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department brings expertise in many disciplines, including dynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, manufacturing and design, micro- and nano-engineering, structural and solid mechanics, and systems and control.

Los Angeles has a deep-rooted aerospace heritage, local world-class universities graduating more engineers per year than anywhere else in the nation, and a leading venture capital presence; with SCALE, it reinforces the region as a global capital for aerospace startup development.

Cohort 1 Startups

Cohort 2 Startups

Cohort 3 Startups

News

September 29, 2020

UCLA, aerospace accelerator Starburst win
federal grant to launch innovation hub

UCLA and Starburst, a leading global aerospace and defense accelerator, have been awarded a 2020 Venture Challenge grant of $1.4 million by the U.S. Economic Development Administration — complemented by $1.4 million in private matching funds — to create an aerospace innovation hub in Los Angeles.

November 23, 2020

Aerospace Incubator Starburst Is
Lifting Industry in LA

In the five years since French space and defense technology accelerator Starburst Aerospace announced plans to open its first American office in El Segundo, the aerospace industry has grown rapidly in Los Angeles County.

July 12, 2023

Meet The Eight Startups Selected for Cohort 5 of Starburst & UCLA's SCALE Accelerator

From carbon nanotubes and alternative fuel technology to electro thermal anti-icing and geospatial data solutions, Aligned Carbon, Aphelion Aerospace, Apsidal, Four Resolutions, Minim Zero, Stellar Amenities, Quantum-South, & Vael Defense are the eight startups selected for Cohort 5 of SCALE.

About Starburst:

Founded in 2012, Starburst Aerospace 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 the largest group of corporate representatives, government stakeholders, and private venture investors in the world to help startups win their first contracts.

www.starburst.aero

Program Schedule

Partner & Mentor
Inquiry Form

Starburst drives transformational change in the industry through aerospace accelerators and innovation programs and strategy consulting. But we do work alone. We have created an ever growing ecosystem that includes academic, corporate, VC, and governmental partners, with a constant focus on new strategic opportunities and novel technological solutions. If you are interested in supporting aerospace innovation by mentoring a startup founder or working more directly with Starburst, please reach out at the link below.

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