Northland Inc urges Northland companies to enter $40,000 NZ Space Challenge

Jiveen MacGillivray, growth adviser with his team at Northland Inc, which is helping co-ordinate the regional response to the NZ Space Challenge. Photo / John Stone

Northland companies are being asked to put on their thinking caps and come up with products and services for the space market – yes, outer space. A national drive for space innovation will have the region's companies reaching for the stars, Christine Allen writes.

Space might be the final frontier, but the organisers of the $40,000 fund NZ Space Challenge are not afraid to pursue enterprise up there and are calling on Northland companies to jump onboard.

Jiveen MacGillivray, growth adviser at Northland Inc, is co-ordinating the regional effort with Spacebase, a social enterprise founded by three Edmund Hillary Fellows.

"We have so much innovation here already, from aquaculture, software, horticulture, waste management and energy science," said Mr MacGillivray.

"We are looking for people or teams who can help provide solutions for those working in extreme environments."

The plan is, that by 2050, more than 1000 people will live and work in space. But how we get there and how we sustain a life in space will be up to the innovative companies willing to fill that space with ideas.

The Space Challenge team has identified the challenging conditions of Antarctica as an analogue for Mars, with the conditions providing an ideal testing ground for space solutions.

The challenge calls for the best methods to identify hazards and map a path across the ice, and design or prototype new sensor systems and algorithms to help vehicles navigate across the ice.

"We already have a software company from Northland which is interested in participating and I've heard from another about turning plastic into energy."

Mr MacGillivray said the space market, although a new and unusual concept, was certainly quite real in its opportunities.

It's more than rockets
There are almost 100 NZ companies already involved in the space market, which is now more than just rockets.

"Once you get your head around it, and beyond the idea of rockets, you can see the growth opportunities."

The Space Challenge is far more than just a space market field of growth, the project is also calling for ideas and solutions for working in any extreme environment, whether in challenging weather conditions or challenges around distance.

Entries to the 2018 NZ Space Challenge close on April 30, 2018, and Northland Inc is offering support to anyone living in Northland who would like help with their applications.

Regional judging kicks off in early May and regional finalists will be announced on May 16, with winners being announced on May 24, during Tech Week.

The winner will get a $40,000 cash prize, with six months of desk space at a local business incubator and access to regional mentorship.

Part of Tech Week
The challenge is being run to coincide with Northland's Tech Week, which has just launched and will feature several regional events to celebrate and explore innovation.

Northland TechWeek, which runs from May 19 to 27, aims to showcase the region's innovation from land and water.

It aims to increase technology use in business and inspire the next generation of tech entrepreneurs in Northland.

The Northland Inc growth adviser Jiveen MacGillivray is co-ordinating the events and said Northland businesses could host their own events and showcase their products and services or sponsor an event.

A number of events would be arranged and confirmed ahead of the festival week and those interested in hosting can email jiveen.macgillivray@northlandnz.com.