Last week, our team attended Fed Supernova, an annual event hosted by our accelerator partner Capital Factory. It brings together innovators, government leaders, startups, and investors focused on driving innovation across sectors such as aerospace, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Here are some of the notable highlights we took away:

Space: dual-use technologies and new launch hubs

• There is growing interest in surrounding dual-use for space technologies – hardware and solutions that serve both public and private sector needs, with investment resources prioritizing these applications.
• Due to the pending shortage of space launch sites in the US, Texas is prioritizing the development of new launch sites. This could position Texas as a future hub for space startups, offering the infrastructure and ecosystem necessary for growth.

DARPA: connecting startups to accelerators

• Programs like DARPA’s Commercial Accelerators are forging new pathways for startups. By collaborating with accelerators (such as Capital Factory), these programs enable rapid commercialization and scaling of startup technologies.

Drones: evolution and focus shifting

• Drone technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. With platforms becoming outdated in a matter of months, the most successful startups will prioritize components for drone production more so than on drone platforms as a whole. This strategy allows them to stay agile and meet the rapidly changing needs of the market.

Investment: open to more arenas

• There has been a notable shift in the investment landscape in recent years. US venture capital firms are increasingly open to startups working in traditionally government-focused sectors, including international companies. VCs see value in streamlining manufacturing processes, signaling a broader trend toward modernizing and scaling critical infrastructure.

Energy: a rise in nuclear innovation

• Nuclear energy was another popular topic, particularly small modular reactors. These technologies are gaining traction for their potential to provide reliable, on-site energy. One example initiative is Project Pele, an Idaho National Laboratory (INL) project developing a portable nuclear reactor that could have wide-ranging applications.

The conference sparked interesting discussions about the mobilization of resources and the future of national innovation. As the ecosystem continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to watch how public-private partnerships and regional hubs like Texas shape the landscape for startups and emerging technologies.

We’ll be back in Austin in October for Austin Tech Week and we’ll look forward to connecting with more from the ecosystem!