His company, backed by the American venture capital firm CreationsVC, has committed $2.5 million to Israeli space startups. The funding is intended to support ten companies as part of the second cohort of the accelerator program run by the Creation-Space.
Each selected company will receive up to $250,000 to develop technologies for deep-space use beyond Earth’s orbit. This marks a significant expansion from the first cohort, which included only five companies and operated with considerably less funding.
"Our goal is to support companies developing dual-use solutions—technologies with practical applications both on Earth and in deep space," Naor explains in an interview with the Davidson Institute website.
“Take data centers or server farms, for example. There are compelling engineering and physical reasons to establish such facilities in space or on the Moon. The challenge lies in developing the necessary technologies and infrastructure to make this feasible—ensuring they provide value on Earth, offer a quick return on investment for stakeholders, and are also applicable to deep-space missions.”
Companies interested in applying for the program can do so through the Creation-Space website until March 15. “We are looking for Israeli companies that already have a basic existing technology or at least a proof of concept for their innovation and are in the early stages of fundraising,” says Leon David, Head of Innovation at Creation-Space, in an interview with the Davidson Institute website.
The selected companies will be invited to participate in an intensive space industry training course – described by the company as a "bootcamp" – scheduled for April in Mitzpe Ramon. The event will feature experts and representatives from the U.S.-based Space Foundation.
"After the bootcamp, we will work closely with the companies to help them secure funding for their projects, with guidance from industry experts. Our financial support at this stage is designed to help them lay the groundwork for raising additional funding, enabling them to advance product development for space missions" David adds.
This phase is expected to last several months, with each company receiving an initial grant at the start of the program, followed by additional funding in installments based on specific milestone achievements. However, the support does not end there—it continues throughout the company’s growth, as long as the company makes progress and meets its set objectives.
Creation-Space remains actively involved with the companies from its first accelerator cohort last year and aims to scale up to two cohorts per year. "The funding for this is already secured," David notes.
According to him, the initiative will also encourage participating companies to establish operations in southern Israel. “We want the program to contribute to the development of the Negev, and Mitzpe Ramon in particular,” he emphasizes. “We will offer strong incentives and support for companies that choose to relocate to the south.”
Founded less than two years ago, Creation-Space quickly secured $1 million in funding for its space-related initiatives, with its primary investor being the U.S.-based venture capital fund CreationsVC. In addition to running its accelerator program, the company provides technological and scientific consulting to space-focused companies—or those looking to enter the sector—independently of the accelerator.
“Our program is currently planned to run until 2040,” David concludes. "Within just a few years, we can establish 30 to 40 Israeli companies with projects related to deep-space activities. We believe this will help restore Israel’s status as a startup nation, as the world is rapidly advancing in areas where we risk falling behind.”
As evidence of this shift, Naor points to an event held about a month ago during Israeli Space Week. For the first time, Israeli space companies had the opportunity to showcase their work to investors at a gathering led by Rakia and the Israeli Space Forum.
Out of dozens of participating companies, five were selected to present, and the winner was OASIX Energy, which developed an efficient heat pump with thermal energy storage—a technology with applications both on Earth and in space missions.
OASIX is a graduate of Creation-Space’s first accelerator cohort. “The fact that a company from our accelerator, focused on deep-space technology, was chosen as the winner highlights the revolution happening here,” says Naor. “This is the field where Israel can excel, and where the real economic potential lies—not in satellites.”
For Naor, the transformation sparked by Creation-Space’s accelerator is just the beginning of a broader vision and development plans. The company plans to establish a space testing and simulation site in the Negev, expanding on analog missions conducted in the Ramon Crater in 2018 and as part of an international project in 2021. Future plans also include a space education campus, a research institute, and international collaborations.
"We aim to operate on a global scale, attract foreign companies and investors to Israel, and position ourselves as a key player in solving deep-space challenges through international programs," Naor emphasizes.
