Starburst
Aerospace and defence accelerator, strategy consultancy and venture fund, founded in 2012.
Starburst at a glance
| Established | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Address | Los Angeles, United States |
| Programmes | 9 standing programmes |
| Official website | starburst.aero |
Which Starburst programme fits you
9 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.
| Programme | Best for | Stage | Duration | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starburst Flagship Accelerator | Startups in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies | — | — | — | — |
| Starburst Accelerator Programme (France) | French aerospace and defence start-ups at TRL4 or above | — | 10 weeks | — | Free, no equity |
| EUDIS Business Accelerator (Cohort 4) | Defence and dual-use start-ups and scale-ups established in the EU or Norway | — | 8 months | — | — |
| Singapore Aviation AcceleratorWith Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SATS, AIRLAB, SIA Engineering, Changi Airports International | Overseas startups setting up in Singapore, in sustainability, supply chain, digitalisation and aviation | — | 13 weeks | — | — |
| SCALE LA Aerospace AcceleratorWith UCLA Samueli School of Engineering | Pre-seed and seed stage aerospace companies in Southern California | — | 13 weeks | — | — |
| ASTRA AcceleratorWith IAI | Early-stage aerospace, defence, space and dual-use startups | — | 5 months bootcamp plus 2 months support | — | — |
| Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator (ICDA) | Defence and dual-use startups from prototype to early growth | — | — | — | — |
| BLAST | Young deeptech startups in aeronautics, space and defence | — | — | — | — |
| Starburst Ventures | Investors in deep-tech aerospace and defence companies | — | — | — | — |
Track record
What Starburst reports about its portfolio.
All figures self-reported — starburst.aero, as of Oct 2026.
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at Starburst, separate from the funding calls above.
Starburst Flagship Accelerator
AcceleratorAccelerator for startups in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies, aimed at helping them win their first contracts.
Best for: Startups in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Flagship Accelerator helps startups scale in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies. It gives access to corporate representatives, government stakeholders and private investors.
What you get: access to Starburst's corporate, government and investor network,.
Who can apply: startups in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies.
How to apply: pick a programme on the accelerator page, then complete the application on the programme's website.
Starburst Accelerator Programme (France)
AcceleratorA 10-week programme for French aerospace and defence start-ups, with mentoring, go-to-market advisory and a Demo Day. Applications closed on 30 March 2026.
Best for: French aerospace and defence start-ups at TRL4 or above
- 10 weeks
- Free, no equity
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Starburst Accelerator is a 10-week programme for French aerospace and defence start-ups. The application deadline was 30 March 2026, so this intake is closed.
What you get: strategic mentoring, go-to-market advisory, B2B matchmaking, and a Demo Day at a defence trade show (listed as tentative on the page).
Who can apply: French start-ups at TRL4 or above in aerospace and defence, with a focus on Ile-de-France or on entering the French and European markets.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page.
EUDIS Business Accelerator (Cohort 4)
AcceleratorAn eight-month accelerator for EU and Norway-based defence and dual-use start-ups, delivered by Starburst for the European Commission. Applications are open until 16 November 2026.
Best for: Defence and dual-use start-ups and scale-ups established in the EU or Norway
- 8 months
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The EUDIS Business Accelerator is delivered by Starburst and initiated by the European Commission. Over eight months, 20 selected companies get hands-on support, expert guidance and access to defence stakeholders.
What you get: five on-site bootcamps across Europe, tailored coaching, access to testing facilities and technical expertise, and a seed funding voucher.
Who can apply: start-ups and scale-ups established in EU Member States or Norway that develop defence or dual-use technologies.
Key dates: applications from 5 October to 16 November 2026, an online webinar on 29 October 2026, and programme start in early March 2027.
How to apply: through the EUDIS Cohort 4 call on the Starburst news page.
Singapore Aviation Accelerator
AcceleratorA 13-week accelerator for overseas startups that set up in Singapore, focused on sustainability, supply chain, digitalisation and aviation.
Best for: Overseas startups setting up in Singapore, in sustainability, supply chain, digitalisation and aviation
- 13 weeks
With Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SATS, AIRLAB, SIA Engineering, Changi Airports International
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Singapore Aviation Accelerator runs under the Starburst Impact Program with Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SATS, AIRLAB, SIA Engineering and Changi Airports International. It selects 12 startups a year.
What you get: a 13-week intensive acceleration programme, access to Starburst's network of corporates and investors.
Who can apply: overseas startups that establish a presence in Singapore. Focus areas are sustainability, supply chain and digitalisation, with a sub-focus on aviation.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page. Intake dates are not stated in the text read.
SCALE LA Aerospace Accelerator
AcceleratorA 13-week aerospace accelerator for pre-seed and seed stage companies in Southern California, run with UCLA's engineering school and ending in a Demo Day.
Best for: Pre-seed and seed stage aerospace companies in Southern California
- 13 weeks
With UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
SCALE is a 13-week aerospace accelerator for pre-seed and seed stage companies. It covers lectures, workshops, pitch practice, networking and a Demo Day.
What you get: personalised instruction, access to industry leaders, potential partners, customers and investors.
Who can apply: pre-seed and seed stage aerospace companies based in Southern California.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page. Intake dates are not stated in the text read.
ASTRA Accelerator
AcceleratorAccelerator for early-stage aerospace, defence, space and dual-use startups, powered by IAI and Starburst, presented as Israel's accelerator for these sectors.
Best for: Early-stage aerospace, defence, space and dual-use startups
- 5 months bootcamp plus 2 months support
With IAI
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
ASTRA is presented as Israel's accelerator for early-stage startups in aerospace, defence, space and dual-use technology. It is powered by IAI and Starburst.
What you get: a five-month intensive bootcamp to reach a pilot or proof of concept, then two months of post-bootcamp support.
Who can apply: early-stage startups in these sectors. Eligibility outside Israel is not stated.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page. Intake dates are not stated in the text read.
Defence accelerator anchored in the Innovation Corridor between Austin and San Antonio, for startups that need to test a proof of concept in defence facilities.
Best for: Defence and dual-use startups from prototype to early growth
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator helps defence startups turn breakthrough technology into industry adoption. It prepares them to validate their technology and engage with channel partners.
Who can apply: defence and dual-use startups, from prototype stage to early growth, that need to test a proof of concept in defence facilities.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page. Intake dates are not stated in the text read.
BLAST
AcceleratorFrench accelerator for deeptech in aeronautics, space and defence, built on a public-private partnership and supporting five startups a year.
Best for: Young deeptech startups in aeronautics, space and defence
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
BLAST is the first French accelerator for deeptech projects in aeronautics, space and defence. It is built on a public-private partnership and aims to support five aerospace startups a year.
Who can apply: young deeptech startups, from market exploration onward.
How it works: a class of 9 to 12 entrepreneurs in an incubator of 50 startups, housed at the Drahi-X Novation Center on the Ecole polytechnique campus.
How to apply: use the Apply button on the programme page. Intake dates are not stated in the text read.
The one active venture fund named on the Starburst site. Fund size, cheque sizes and equity terms are not published.
Best for: Investors in deep-tech aerospace and defence companies
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Starburst Ventures is the group's one active venture fund. The site invites investment in deep-tech companies in aerospace and defence, but does not publish fund size, cheque sizes or equity terms.
How to apply: no founder route is stated on the site.
How to apply to Starburst
Choosing a programme
- Check the region first. The EUDIS programme needs an EU or Norway base, and the French programme needs a French company.
- Check the stage. SCALE is for pre-seed and seed companies, and the French programme is for TRL4 or above.
- Check the dates. The French Starburst Accelerator application deadline was 30 March 2026. The EUDIS Cohort 4 call closes on 16 November 2026.
How applications work
- Pick a programme from the programmes page, then complete the application on that programme's own website.
What reviewers look for
- The site does not publish selection criteria in the pages read. Read the page for the programme you are applying to.
About Starburst
Starburst is an aerospace and defence accelerator founded in 2012. It runs startup accelerator programmes, offers strategy consulting to industry, and manages one active venture fund, Starburst Ventures.
How the programmes work
Starburst runs about 20 accelerator programmes, each with its own region, stage and sub-sector. Its portfolio includes more than 150 startups. The Flagship Accelerator is aimed at startups in aviation, space and defence, and enabling technologies, and gives access to corporate, government and private investor contacts with the aim of helping startups win their first contracts.
Who can apply
Most programmes are tied to a region, so check each programme's page before applying. The French Starburst Accelerator is for French aerospace and defence start-ups at TRL4 or above, with a focus on Ile-de-France or on entering the French and European markets. The EUDIS Business Accelerator is for start-ups and scale-ups established in EU Member States or Norway that develop defence or dual-use technologies. The Singapore Aviation Accelerator is for overseas startups that set up a presence in Singapore. SCALE is for pre-seed and seed stage aerospace companies in Southern California. ASTRA is presented as Israel's accelerator for early-stage aerospace, defence, space and dual-use startups. The Innovation Corridor Defense Accelerator is anchored in the corridor between Austin and San Antonio. BLAST is a French accelerator for deeptech in aeronautics, space and defence.
The site does not say that any of these programmes is open to founders based in India.
Equity and fees
The French Starburst Accelerator page states that founders keep their equity and their cash. The other pages read do not state equity terms.
Starburst Ventures
Starburst Ventures is the group's one active venture fund. The site does not publish the fund size, cheque sizes or equity terms, and it does not describe a route for founders to approach the fund.
Consulting for industry
Starburst's strategy consulting serves aerospace and defence firms. The work covers product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, commercial due diligence, organisation redesign and technology assessment. This is a service for industry clients, not a founder programme.
Scale and team
The site describes a team of 60 people across 8 offices, more than 150 portfolio startups, 20 accelerator programmes and over 60 corporate partners spanning space, aviation, communication, mobility and defence. The site's own counts are self-reported and undated.
The site gives two different office counts. The About page says 8 offices, while the homepage says 8 global locations and lists nine cities. The ASTRA page also names offices in London, Mumbai and Montreal, which the other pages do not list.
Who runs it
Starburst runs its own accelerators. For the EUDIS Business Accelerator, the European Commission initiated the programme and Starburst delivers it. For the Singapore Aviation Accelerator, Starburst works with Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SATS, AIRLAB, SIA Engineering and Changi Airports International. For SCALE, Starburst works with the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.
Who they work with
Sectors
Frequently asked questions about Starburst
What is Starburst?
Starburst is an accelerator based in Los Angeles.
What does Starburst do?
Starburst is an aerospace and defence accelerator founded in 2012. It runs startup accelerator programmes, offers strategy consulting to industry, and manages one active venture fund, Starburst Ventures. Starburst runs about 20 accelerator programmes, each with its own region, stage and sub-sector.
Where is Starburst located?
Starburst is based in Los Angeles, United States.
What programs does Starburst run?
Starburst runs Starburst Flagship Accelerator, Starburst Accelerator Programme (France), EUDIS Business Accelerator (Cohort 4) and Singapore Aviation Accelerator, among others.
Does Starburst provide funding?
Selected startups in some Starburst programmes can receive grant support, including EUDIS Business Accelerator (Cohort 4). Grant amounts are set per programme and cohort, and selection into a programme does not guarantee a grant — check the programme's own page for current terms.
What sectors does Starburst support?
Starburst works with startups in SpaceTech.
How do I apply to Starburst?
- Check the region first. The EUDIS programme needs an EU or Norway base, and the French programme needs a French company. - Check the stage. SCALE is for pre-seed and seed companies, and the French programme is for TRL4 or above. - Check the dates. The French Starburst Accelerator application deadline was 30 March 2026. The EUDIS Cohort 4 call closes on 16 November 2026.
When was Starburst founded?
Starburst was founded in 2012. It is an accelerator.
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