“SPACE 2.0” LANDS IN COLORADO

GOLDEN, Colo., — The Eighth Continent Project, the world’s most comprehensive program to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy, was launched here today at the Colorado School of Mines Center for Space Resources.

“For the first time, government, industry and academia have joined forces with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to forge the next frontier in commercializing space technology and resources,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. “With our region’s unique cluster of businesses, IT infrastructure, research institutions and aerospace workforce, the Eighth Continent Project will position Colorado at the vortex of ‘Space 2.0.’”

“’Space 1.0’ was astronauts, rocket ships and billion-dollar government projects. ‘Space 2.0’ is venture-backed entrepreneurs starting new companies with new technologies,” said Burke Fort, Eighth Continent Project director. “Eighth Continent will bridge the gap between existing technologies and their commercialization through the industry’s first research hub, incubator, venture fund and international chamber of commerce.”

Initial founding partners and sponsors include: DigitalGlobe, the Keiretsu Forum, CTEK, Broadreach, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Townsend & Townsend & Crew, the Colorado School of Mines, and the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Deming Center.

“DigitalGlobe was one of the world’s first ‘Space 2.0’ companies that now provides spatial content to thousands of businesses and mass consumer markets,” said Chuck Herring, DigitalGlobe director of corporate communications. “With the Eighth Continent Project, the time has come to bring space down to earth, and to incubate and fund the industries of the future.”

“More entrepreneurs are getting involved and taking risks in space commerce,” said Darin Gibby, managing partner of the Denver office of the intellectual property law firm Townsend and Townsend and Crew. “As with any industry that evolves and matures, the level of legal protection for intellectual property increases as well. We see the Eighth Continent Project as a prime driver of a dynamic, new marketplace that will require innovative legal solutions.”

“Angel investors around the world are sharing ideas and content, and we’re always looking for dealflow into new markets,” said Steve Murchie, Denver chapter president of the Keiretsu Forum, one of the world’s largest angel investor networks. “Space commerce, once the realm of big government, is now being driven by entrepreneurs. We want to help the market define new valuation criteria, develop dealflow pipelines, and bring new technology to the marketplace through Eighth Continent.”

“The immediate terrestrial application of space technologies, and their longer-term space applications, makes for a compelling long-term investment with short-term revenue streams,” said Gary Held, CTEK president. “CTEK is thrilled to bring our angel and incubator experience to the Eighth Continent Project.”

“With entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Paul Allen and Richard Branson now doing what only NASA would dare, it’s time for the ‘Web 2.0’ entrepreneurial community to start defining and driving “Space 2.0,” said Fort.
About Eighth Continent
Based in Golden, Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines’ Eighth Continent Project (www.8cproject.com) is the world’s most comprehensive effort to integrate space technology and resources into the global economy. Eighth Continent provides the infrastructure and resources to solve a wide range of challenges from global warming to renewable energy development. Located in Colorado, home of the most concentrated entrepreneurial, investor and aerospace talent in the world, Eighth Continent brings space down to earth with the industry’s first trade association, incubator, venture fund and research hub, all working together to develop the next generation of space business ventures.

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