THE SPACE WORKFORCE INCUBATOR FOR TEXAS (SWIFT) ANNOUNCES ‘ECOSYSTEM SPACE’

THE SPACE WORKFORCE INCUBATOR FOR TEXAS (SWIFT) ANNOUNCES ‘ECOSYSTEM SPACE’ – A MONTHLY COLLISION OF VISIONARIES, DISRUPTORS AND BUILDERS SHAPING THE NEXT FRONTIER – HAPPENING THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT CAPITAL FACTORY

Space industry professionals are invited to enjoy a monthly happy hour to spark connection, collaboration and innovation across the Texas space economy; next event to take place Thursday, July 10 at Capital Factory in Austin.

(AUSTIN, TEXAS — June 12, 2025; source: Juice Consulting) — The Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT), an Austin-based 501(c)3 non-profit focused on workforce development in Texas’ rapidly growing space sector, is thrilled to present Ecosystem Space, a new monthly happy hour for professionals, entrepreneurs, technologists, investors, academics and government leaders working in the space industry. Ecosystem Space will take place on the second Thursday of each month at Capital Factory with the next event happening on Tuesday, July 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. Next month’s event will be in partnership with the Space Force Association and is sponsored by LSAS Tec USA along with Capital Factory, Juice Consulting, New Space Hub, NASA’s Third Rock Radio, Starbase Brewing and Still Austin Whiskey. Ecosystem Space is not a panel or a pitch, but a pulse check on the new horizon of space that sparks connection, collaboration and innovation across the Texas space economy.

“Texas isn’t just participating in the new space economy, we are defining it,” said Geoff Tudor, President and Cofounder of SWIFT. “Ecosystem Space is about forging meaningful relationships and sparking ideas that translate into real-world breakthroughs.”
“People are the rocket fuel behind this industry – the innovators, the educators, the policymakers, the entrepreneurs – but we have to mix that propellant,” said Dr. Leon Vanstone, Vice President and Cofounder of SWIFT. “Ecosystem Space exists to make sure the right people and ideas are mixing right here in Austin.”
Co-founded by Austinites Geoff Tudor, Leon Vanstone, Sandy Barker, Joseph Kopser, Heather Wagner Reed and Harvin Moore in 2024, the Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT) connects industry and academia to build a pipeline of space-ready employees for Texas. The booming commercial space market is fueling unprecedented demand for a skilled workforce to fill a variety of high-paying jobs throughout Texas. Great progress has been made to inspire young Texans through STEM pathways and engaging rocketry courses, while universities like the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Rice University are leading the way with advanced engineering programs.

McKinsey & Company expects the global space economy to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. This new economy will drive unprecedented demand for skilled talent. Texas is uniquely positioned to meet this demand, with a rich tapestry of K-12 STEM initiatives, high school rocketry programs, and leading university engineering pathways. Yet, there remains a critical gap in accessible aerospace workforce training programs. SWIFT is bridging that gap, creating multiple entry points for Texans of all backgrounds. By scaffolding skills and upskilling workers from other industries, SWIFT is working to ensure more people can take part in the thriving space economy. SWIFT unites rocket designers and builders, fostering seamless collaboration across educational and technical programs. Through shared testing platforms and hands-on experience in liquid rocket hardware, SWIFT’s goal is to give students the opportunity to dream, build, and launch.

Other SWIFT News:

Recently named an official 501(c)3 nonprofit, SWIFT is fueling the future to launch the next generation of Texas space talent. The organization is proud to be on the ground in Midland this week at the 2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), supporting the first time this global event is being held in Texas. SWIFT recently announced the launch of its groundbreaking SWIFT Rocket Program – an innovative statewide initiative aimed at propelling Texas to the forefront of the aerospace industry –  awarding grants to the Rice Eclipse Rocket Team and the Texas A&M Rocket Engine Design Team to advance their cutting-edge rocket design and development projects. Rice is competing in IREC 25 with a Mach 3 two-stage rocket in the unlimited category.

Copy and images courtesy of Juice Consulting LLC

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