This three-year initiative, spearheaded by Rice University, Stellar Access, and Houston Spaceport in collaboration with France's CNES space agency and Business France, seeks to facilitate global aerospace partnerships. A key component of the program is a six-month accelerator program operating in both Paris and Houston, designed to support emerging French companies as they establish operations in Texas and the U.S. The inaugural group of startups will arrive in Houston in April.
By leveraging the strength of Texas and France, we are fostering an environment where innovation thrives and commercial space activities can flourish, said David Alexander, professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and director of the Rice Space Institute (RSI), who is also a member of the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.
This program enables French space startups to benefit from France's unique strengths in aerospace innovation with extensive support from the government and the French space agency CNES, said Nicolas Maubert, CNES representative in the U.S. and space counselor to the French Embassy.
The program's structure facilitates early-stage collaboration, which accelerates the commercialization of innovative space technologies, explained Benjamin Ben Soussan, head of the Business France office in Houston. Beyond technical and business expertise, the accelerator helps startups navigate regulatory frameworks and establish key industry connections, he said.
Once in Houston, startups will engage in 8 to 12 weeks of immersion in the U.S. space industry, working closely with RSI and Stellar Access. The program includes networking events, direct engagement with industry leaders, and participation in key space sector activities.
The accelerator provides a structured pathway for French entrepreneurs to tap into the booming U.S. commercial space industry, said Sergio Lucero, chief operating officer at Stellar Access. By bridging these dynamic ecosystems, we can accelerate innovation and create new global opportunities.
The first wave of startups includes Absolut Sensing, which specializes in high-precision satellite data for methane emissions detection, and Geeglee, a software platform for architecture and systems engineering decision-making. Other participants include Agena Space, focused on in-orbit mobility solutions using green propulsion, and Watt and Well, a developer of high-performance power electronics for space applications.
We are opening doors for groundbreaking advancements and long-term partnerships by strengthening our ties in the space sector, said Valerie Baraban, consul general of France in Houston.
The final six weeks of the accelerator program will take place in France, where participants will refine their U.S. expansion strategies with expert guidance on human resources, legal compliance, intellectual property, and regulatory matters.
After assessing their experience, the hope is that the individual companies will see value for their business in Texas and consider creating their own presence in the state with help from the accelerator if needed, Alexander said.
The selection process for the hub was overseen by a committee composed of representatives from Rice University, CNES, Business France, Expertise France, Space Founders, and the French Consulate in Houston. The initiative was led by Hugues Mbezal Bogam, French space liaison to RSI.
By building on existing initiatives in France and Texas, the program will cultivate joint research projects that bring together industry, academia, institutions, and space agencies in both regions, Mbezal Bogam said.
Our goal is to support startup growth, facilitate technology transfer, and create new avenues for global engagement within our expanding aerospace ecosystem, said Arturo Machuca, director of Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport.
With RSI playing a central role, the hub will work alongside the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the Greater Houston Partnership to leverage research expertise and industry connections. The goal is to attract foreign investment, drive innovation, and strengthen Texas's space workforce while expanding commercial opportunities nationwide.
This initiative is just the beginning, Alexander said. Building strong international partnerships sets the stage for technological developments that will shape the future of space exploration and the space industry.
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