Space Entrepreneur Community: 8 Groups Worth Joining
TL;DR: Space is a relationship industry, and the right communities speed everything up: finding co-founders, customers, investors, advisors and hires. The strongest options for space entrepreneurs include founder communities like Space Entrepreneurs on Skool, professional societies like AIAA and Women in Aerospace, student and early-career networks like SEDS, advocacy groups like the National Space Society and Space Foundation, international groups like the Moon Village Association and accelerators like Starburst. Join two or three that match your stage, then contribute consistently.
Key takeaways
- Communities shorten the path to co-founders, customers, investors and hires.
- Match the community to your stage and goals.
- Give before you ask: answer questions, share lessons, make introductions.
- Depth in a few communities beats a shallow presence in many.
Why do communities matter so much for space entrepreneurs?
Space deals, partnerships and hires often come through trusted introductions. The industry is small enough that reputation travels fast and large enough that you can't meet everyone on your own. Communities give you a shortcut: a place to ask questions, test ideas, find partners and build a reputation before you need it.
For first-time founders, especially those without an aerospace background, communities can be the difference between guessing and learning from people who've done it.
What are the best communities for space entrepreneurs?
1. Space Entrepreneurs (Skool)
Space Entrepreneurs is the free Skool community I host for founders who are starting, marketing and growing space companies. Members share what they're working on, ask questions and learn from people building in the same industry.
Best for: founders and aspiring founders who want practical help with starting, marketing and selling.
2. AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
AIAA offers a global network of engineers and scientists, with local regions and sections and major forums, including ASCEND, which it describes as being for the global space community.
Best for: technical credibility, finding engineers and staying close to research.
3. SEDS (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space)
SEDS is an international student organization founded in 1980. SEDS-USA reports more than 125 chapters and more than 10,000 students, connecting university chapters across the country.
Best for: recruiting early-career talent and supporting the next generation of founders.
4. Women in Aerospace
Women in Aerospace is dedicated to increasing the leadership capabilities and visibility of women in the aerospace community, and it recognizes and promotes innovative people across the industry.
Best for: leadership development, mentoring and a broad professional network.
5. National Space Society
The National Space Society describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan, educational membership nonprofit dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization, with local chapters, a young professionals group and a space business plan program.
Best for: advocacy, local connections and early-stage idea feedback.
6. Space Foundation
Space Foundation, founded in 1983, is a nonprofit that describes itself as a gateway to advance the global space community. It connects the space workforce from early education onward and hosts the Space Symposium, which brings together space professionals from every sector.
Best for: education, workforce connections and major industry events.
7. Moon Village Association
The Moon Village Association is a non-governmental organization founded in 2017 in Vienna that promotes international collaboration in the exploration and settlement of the Moon.
Best for: founders working on lunar technology and international partnerships.
8. Starburst
Starburst runs aerospace and defense startup accelerators alongside strategy consulting and venture investment, and says its accelerators help startups define strategy, refine their pitch, get mentorship from industry leaders and raise venture capital.
Best for: startups ready for structured acceleration and investor access.
How do you choose the right space entrepreneur community?
| Your goal | Good fit |
|---|---|
| Practical founder help with marketing and sales | Space Entrepreneurs |
| Technical credibility and engineering talent | AIAA, SEDS |
| Leadership and mentoring | Women in Aerospace |
| Advocacy and local connections | National Space Society |
| Workforce connections and events | Space Foundation |
| Lunar and international collaboration | Moon Village Association |
| Structured acceleration and investors | Starburst and other accelerators |
Start with two or three. You'll get more from being known in a few places than from lurking in many.
How do you get the most value from a space entrepreneur community?
- Introduce yourself clearly: what you're building, for whom and what help you need.
- Give first: answer questions, share resources and make introductions.
- Show up consistently. Trust builds over time, not in one post.
- Share lessons, not pitches. Communities reward honesty and punish spam.
- Take conversations offline. Turn good exchanges into calls and meetings.
How do communities fit with events and podcasts?
Communities, events and podcasts reinforce each other. Meet someone in a community, see them at a conference, then hear them on a podcast, and the relationship deepens fast. Our conference and trade show guide lists events worth attending, and our list of the best space business podcasts suggests shows to follow, including the Space Launch Podcast.
What about free government and local resources?
Don't overlook local help. The SBA's network of Small Business Development Centers and SCORE mentors offers free or low-cost counseling, and many universities run entrepreneurship programs open to alumni and local founders. For more on getting started, see our guides on how to become a space entrepreneur and how to start a space company, and when you're ready to tell your story, our space marketing guide.
What should you do in your first 30 days in a new community?
- Days 1–7: read the rules, introduce yourself and note who answers questions well.
- Days 8–14: answer two or three questions where you have real experience.
- Days 15–21: share one honest lesson from your company, with what you'd do differently.
- Days 22–30: reach out to two or three people you've connected with and suggest a short call.
By the end of the month, people will know your name, what you build and how you help.
What mistakes do founders make in communities?
- Joining and lurking. You get out what you put in.
- Pitching immediately. Build relationships before asking for anything.
- Too many communities. Spread thin, you're known nowhere.
- Only seeking investors. Peers, customers and advisors matter just as much.
- Disappearing after getting help. Come back and share what worked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best community for space entrepreneurs?
It depends on your goals. Space Entrepreneurs on Skool focuses on starting, marketing and growing space companies, while AIAA, Women in Aerospace, SEDS, the National Space Society and Space Foundation serve technical, professional, student and advocacy needs.
How do I network in the space industry?
Join a few communities, attend key conferences, contribute useful insights, follow up personally and build relationships before you need them.
Are there free communities for space founders?
Yes. Space Entrepreneurs on Skool is free, and many professional and student organizations offer local chapters and events.
How do I find a co-founder in the space industry?
Communities, university networks, conferences and accelerators are common places. Get specific about the problem you're solving so the right people can find you.
What should I post in a founder community?
Introduce what you're building, ask specific questions, share lessons and resources, and help others. Avoid sales pitches.
Want to work through this with other space founders?
Join Space Entrepreneurs, free. Space Entrepreneurs is the free Skool community I host for founders who are starting, marketing and growing space companies. Bring your questions, share what you are working on and learn from people building in the same industry.
