Why Are We Running This Challenge

The purpose of this challenge is to transform NASA technology into new, real-world applications.

The NASA Patent Remix Challenge invites entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative thinkers to bring space innovation down to Earth. Explore NASA’s extensive portfolio of patented technologies and transform them into bold, market-ready concepts that could change the world. Participants select an existing NASA patent and design a compelling business or product idea that demonstrates technical creativity, feasibility, and a clear path to commercialization for the chance to win $10,000.

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The Challenge

NASA’s Technology Transfer Office is inviting entrepreneurs, technologists, and problem-solvers across the U.S. to reimagine the potential of space-born innovation.

The NASA Patent Remix Challenge seeks participants to explore NASA’s portfolio of patented technologies and propose bold, novel, and commercially viable applications that transform their defined use, bringing these inventions into the hands of the public with new use cases.

Each submission will demonstrate how a selected NASA patent, or a suite of patents, can be transformed into a new product or business concept. Top ideas should be strong enough to pursue a research or evaluation license, serving as the foundation for new startups, products, or partnerships.

By surfacing high-potential concepts and credible solvers, this challenge hopes to accelerate the transition of space technology into the commercial marketplace, driving economic growth, public benefit, and continued momentum for U.S. innovation leadership.

Provide novel solutions to transform the NASA patent(s) into commercially viable use-cases.

As a participant, we suggest to:

• Select a NASA patent (or a set of related patents) from the library at technology.nasa.gov
• Identify a real-world problem or market need that the patent’s capabilities could address
• Develop a product or service concept that integrates NASA technology as a core innovation
• Use the Strategyzer Business Model Canvas (BMC) found in Resources to define your customer segments, value proposition, channels, and revenue strategy
• Explain how your solution improves or disrupts existing market capabilities
• Outline a realistic roadmap for product development, validation, and potential licensing.
• Communicate the public benefit of your solution—how it contributes to everyday life, industry, or the environment.

Provide a 3-page Submission Paper, 5-minute Pitch video, and Business Model Canvas explaining your approach.

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Why should I participate?

• Turn NASA Tech into Real-World Impact - Get hands on with innovations from NASA's Tech Transfer Office and reimagine them into startups, products, and solutions that improve lives and enter for the chance to win $10,000.
• Learn by Doing with Lean Startup - Test, iterate, and validate your ideas using proven entrepreneurial methods—practical skills you can apply to any venture or career path.
• Break Silos, Build Teams - Collaborate across disciplines with engineers, scientists, business minds, and policy thinkers while connecting with NASA experts and industry mentors.
• Grow Your Network and Opportunities - Discover mentorship, internships, funding pathways, and partnerships that can accelerate your education, career, or startup journey.
• Lead and Innovate for the Future - Develop leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills while driving public-private innovation that creates lasting impact.

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What Comes Next?

Register:

• The first step is to register for the competition. Registering early is the easiest way to stay informed and can be completed on the Eventbrite link.
• Visit the Schedule page to view important events, submission due dates, and winner announcement timelines.

Understand the competition:

• Background: Familiarize yourself with the background information.
• Competition Structure: Be aware that the competition has one phase, with specific requirements and deadlines.
• Eligibility Requirements and Participation Agreement: Review Eligibility Requirements and familiarize yourself with the Participation Agreement.
• Judging Criteria: Ensure your submissions align with these judging criteria.
• Frequently Asked Questions: See the FAQs, which we will update throughout the competition.

Access the available resources:

• While not required for the competition, the resources ​​​provide additional guidance, including instructions on how to submit a licensing request to NASA, insights from NASA Spinoff on how NASA patents have been turned into groundbreaking technologies, and tips on using Lean Start-Up resources to strengthen submissions.​​​

Stay informed: 

• Join Slack to keep up to date on relevant announcements, important tips, share resources, connect with teams and other mentors and event staff.
• You may also reach out to us through email at info@NASA-Patent-Remix-Challenge.org.

Prepare and submit Phase One products:

• Prepare a 3-page Submission Paper:
  
  • Adhere to the provided formatting guidelines, including font size, margins, and content organization. See formatting instructions here.
  • A suggested submission paper template is provided here.
• Prepare a 5-Minute Pitch Video:
  
  • Adhere to the provided video rules. See instructions here.
  • Suggestions for an effective video are provided here.
• Prepare a Business Model Canvas (BMC) with all categories defined
• Submit: Ensure all materials are submitted by the specified deadline

If selected as a Finalist, more information will follow.

Good luck to all participants!

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Background

Many products and brands, such as invisible braces, are widely recognized by consumers, yet few realize that the underlying technology originated from advancements in aeronautics and space exploration. At NASA’s Glenn Research Center, the Tech Transfer Office helps turn space innovations into everyday products, boosting opportunities for consumers and strengthening the U.S. economy. Building on this same technology, new ideas continue to emerge, making it accessible for everyday use.

The NASA Technology Transfer Program provides public access to 20 years of NASA innovation through its technological patents. After selecting a technology, organizations must apply for a license to use it. Additional information can be found through the NASA Technology Transfer Program and the ‘How to License Technology from NASA’ guide.  This guide, along with FAQs and other useful content, can be found on the Resources page.

Discover all the ways that NASA has helped entrepreneurs bring space technology down to Earth at https://spinoff.nasa.gov/.

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Single Phase Competition

Competition Structure

This challenge is a single phase competition. Participants will submit:

1) a short 3-page submission paper,

2) a 5-minute Pitch video, and

3) a Business Model Canvas (BMC) of their idea

Submissions will be evaluated per challenge Judge Criteria. Following the Judge evaluation period, up to 1 Finalist and 3 runners-up will be selected for monetary prizes.

Note: Ownership and use of intellectual property arising from this competition remains with you.

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