Blackstone LaunchPad Florida Hub Presents Space Kids Innovation Challenge '26
UCF's Space Kids Innovation Challenge provides ALL students from ALL disciplines with an opportunity to address an important a real-world problem, design creative solutions, and pitch winning proposals to space industry leaders. Participants have an opportunity to earn cash awards, add credentials, and make professional connections in an emerging industry sector.
Space Kids is challenging UCF students with developing workforce development programs/solutions that target age ranges including K-8, high school, collegiate, or adult education as follows:
Propose an innovative, scalable, learning and skill development program/solution that is likely to improve the quality and quantity of talent available in the commercial aerospace and adjacent space ecosystem workforce pipeline. The challenge seeks fresh ideas for expanding access to space and space education for fans of all ages through exclusive content, experiences, and products.
Participants must submit a comprehensive proposal that includes:
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- A detailed description of a proposed program/solution
- A business model that outlines implementation strategies and potential partners
- A plan for measuring the impact of the solution on workforce development
- A prototypes or demonstration, if applicable, that illustrates the proposal
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
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- Creativity: The proposal presents novel combinations of ideas
- Feasibility: The proposed solution could be implemented and scaled successfully
- Impact: The proposed solution could significantly enrich the commercial aerospace workforce
- Sustainability: The proposed solution strongly aligns with industry environmental and ethical standards
- Inclusivity: The proposal considers how to enrich participant capabilities regardless of background
All entries will receive feedback from executives in the space industry, and the top rated proposal will advance to a state-level competition including five university finalists and compete in person for a share of $15,000 ($1,000 guarenteed!) on February 19–20. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to expand your professional network, test your entrepreneurial skills, and earn cash awards!
Why Participate?
- Win between $1,000 to $5,000 if you advance to the state-wide final
- Get feedback from space industry leaders
- Boost your credentials by engaging in real-world problem-solving
How to Compete
1. Check Your Eligibility
- UCF full or part-time undergraduate or graduate students
- Team of 3-5 students engaged in the challenge (no individuals or pairs)
2. Mark Your Calendar
- Info Session: January 21th 4pm on Zoom (link to recording will be available on this site after the session)
- UCF Semi-Final Application Deadline: January 30th
- State-Level Challenge Final (1st place only): February 19th-20th @ UCF Main Campus In-Person
3. Learn about the problem and current solution strategies
4. Create Your Proposal Pitch Deck
Your proposal pitch deck must address:
- A detailed description of a proposed program/solution
- A business model that outlines implementation strategies and potential partners
- A plan for measuring the impact of the solution on workforce development
- A prototypes or demonstration, if applicable, that illustrates the proposal
Tip: Use storytelling + evidence to make your pitch compelling. Consider using our ideation platform at https://slyngshot.io/ucf (click “Start Here” and use code “launchucf”) to help shape the business and growth models for your idea.
5. Create Your Pitch Video
Entries will be in the form of 3-minute pitch videos. We strongly recommend using PowerPoint on your device (not on the web) to make this easy. All UCF students can download Microsoft apps to their device by following these instructions. Other (more effortful?) video production processes are acceptable, but unlikely to improve judges assessments. You can create slides in Canva or other platforms and export them to PowerPoint if you prefer.
- Keep slides simple and visual. Less text means less reading and more listening!
- Decide whether you want your face to appear when you create you video pitch (recommended) or prefer to record only your voice. You can also mix and match video and voice-only on different slides.
- Click “Record” on the PowerPoint main menu, and then click “Cameo” to provide you with options for how you want to appear and the positioning of your video on your slides. You can change this setting on each slide, including shutting off your camera to record a voiceover on one or all your slides.
- When you are ready to record your pitch, click the red record button and begin. You can start “From Beginning” and continue your pitch to the end, or you can record your pitch one slide at a time. You can do this as many times as you need to record a take you like that you like.
- When you are finished, click “File” from the PowerPoint main menu and go to “Export”. Click “File Format” and select MP4 to create your video. Check that the settings are for Full HD (1080p) and use recorded timings.
- Upload your MP4 video to YouTube, Vimeo, or another platform, set the video to “Public” (unlisted if allowed) and check to make sure your video works as expected when opened on your streaming platform.
- Videos that can not be viewed or go over the 3-minute time limit will be disqualified.
6. Submit Your Application: Click the "Enter Now" button on the competition page. You’ll need to provide:
- Contact info
- A brief description of your idea
- Your proposal pitch deck (saved as a PDF)
- Your public video link (tested to ensure visibility)
State-Wide Finals Cash Awards
- 1st Place: $5,000
- 2nd Place: $4,000
- 3rd Place: $3,000
- ️ 4th Place: $2,000
- ️ 5th Place: $1,000
We encourage contestants to meet with mentors at the Blackstone LaunchPad and to consider other opportunities provided by UCF's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. CHARGE ON!
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