Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Aerospace
LUNA -2025
Young Innovators from diffrent Countries to Present Game-Changing
Space Startups at the LUNA 2025 Finals
This June, the LUNA International Competition for Space Entrepreneurship will hold its final event at the Czech Technical University in Prague, bringing together breakthrough space-tech projects developed by youth from Israel, Ukraine, Nigeria, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.
Hosted by Out of the Box Aerospace, as part of its global Science Accelerator program, the competition marks the culmination of an eight-month journey of innovation, collaboration, and future-focused learning. Students, aged 14–18, have worked in international teams to design dual-use ventures — technologies that serve both space exploration and pressing needs on Earth.
“Each year, we face complex and unpredictable realities that impact our students — from infrastructure gaps to active war zones,” says Vered Cohen Barzilay, founder of Out of the Box. “This year, participants from Israel and Ukraine continued developing their projects despite daily air raid sirens, missile threats, and displacement. And yet — they reached extraordinary levels of performance.”
The 2025 cohort stands out not only for its resilience but for its integration of advanced AI tools and participation in a transformative pedagogical model.
Students were supported by specially trained educators and guided by professional mentors in science, engineering, and business, resulting in a majority of projects that are startup-ready.
The final competition will include three phases:
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A one-pager and marketing video,
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A live MVP booth demonstration, and
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An 8-minute pitch in front of an international jury, including experts from NASA Ames, CzechInvest, and leading global space organizations.
The LUNA 2025 Final Jury:
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Dr. Jacob Cohen – Chief Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
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Ms. Marie Němečková – Director of the Space Hub at CzechInvest, member of the Czech Space Team
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Mr. Jakub Lajmon – Co-Founder & CEO of Groundcom, serial entrepreneur in aerospace and tech
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Mr. Jakub Kapuš – CEO & Founder, Spacemanic
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Ms. Zemmourt Vanessa – Business Partner & Innovation Consultant
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Dr. Roy Yaniv – Director, Global Aerospace Academy (GAA), Sheba Medical Center
Preparing Youth to Solve Tomorrow’s Challenges
The LUNA competition places a strong emphasis on dual-use innovation, urging students to create technologies relevant for both lunar and Martian exploration as well as Earth-based applications in fields like agriculture, health, and sustainability.
This year also marks the launch of the Global Aerospace Academy (GAA), in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), offering academic training for youth aged 16–25 who aim to lead the next generation of aerospace ventures.
“This generation isn’t waiting for permission to lead,” says Cohen Barzilay. “They’re already designing the future—with purpose, skill, and vision.”
🛰️ LUNA 2025 Finalist Projects
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POLLIBEE (Israel) – An autonomous AI-based pollination system for both Earth and space agriculture, replacing bees and human labor in zero-gravity environments.
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GreenHelmet (Israel) – Transforms astronaut helmets into mushroom-growing bio-domes, promoting astronaut health and sustainable life-support systems.
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Do Space (Czech Republic) – A hands-on satellite education initiative bringing real satellite signal access into classrooms using affordable antennas and learning tools.
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Assist (Israel) – AI-powered seismic analysis for Mars, supporting safe site selection and mapping potential future habitats using NASA InSight data.
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Huggyverse (Israel) – A sensory emotional-support pod simulating hugs through haptics, scent, and sound to reduce stress and isolation in space.
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GravFlex (Israel + Nigeria) – A wearable resistance and EMS-based suit combating muscle loss in zero gravity — also supporting physical therapy on Earth.
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Magic Box (Turkey) – A smart life-support module integrating wireless energy, thermal power generation, and UV-C air purification for deep-space habitats.
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Freezehouse (Israel) – A Martian underground greenhouse using ice-rich soil in Arcadia Planitia to protect crops and ensure food for settlers.
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One for All (Israel) – A multifunctional eating tool for astronauts, combining AI-based food analysis, sensory enhancement, and foldable design.