FAQ — Multidimensional De-Risking for Space Ventures

It's a practical roadmap to progress from IRL 1→9 across eight dimensions—Technology, Customer/Market, Business Model, Team, IP, Funding, Sustainability, and System Integration—with explicit evidence gates. Micro-examples: • A payload startup advances when it pairs lab performance reports with ICDs signed by a bus integrator. • An EO analytics startup moves up when LoIs convert into paid pilots with data-sharing terms.

We capture the risks that actually stall space ventures: customer proof, integration into value chains, capital roadmap, team gaps, IP/Reg, and sustainability—not just prototypes. Micro-examples: • Tech strong but no procurement pathway → Market IRL stalls. • Impressive demo but no ground-segment integration → Integration IRL stalls.

Technology, Customer/Market, Business Model, Team, IP, Funding, Sustainability, System Integration. Micro-examples: • Funding: a 12-month capital plan mapped to milestones (grants + equity) raises Funding IRL. • Sustainability: a debris-mitigation plan and EOL strategy raise Sustainability IRL.

It measures how well you plug into the space value chain—technical interfaces and commercial partnerships. Micro-examples: • Upstream: propulsion → satellite bus via interface spec + vibration/thermal test evidence with a named partner. • Downstream: EO platform → customer GIS via a documented data pipeline and pilot acceptance report.

Each dimension progresses 1–9 with evidence. You move up when you check the next gate—no hand-waving. Micro-ladder (Market): • IRL 3: 15+ structured interviews; problem statements logged. • IRL 5: 2–3 signed LoIs or pilots with acceptance criteria. • IRL 7: Repeatable sales (pipeline coverage ≥3× target) and reference customers.

• Readiness radar (8 axes, IRL 1–9) • Bottleneck report (weakest dimensions gating funding) • Action roadmap (tasks to level-up each lagging dimension) Micro-examples: • "Before Seed: raise Market from 4→5 with two paid pilots in ag/insurance." • "Hire a commercial lead to lift Team 4→5."

They see where risk concentrates, the quality of evidence, and the time-bound actions that unlock the next round. Micro-examples: • Tech 7, Market 3 → "stranded technology" risk. • Integration <4 → require at least one named integration partner pre-term sheet.

Yes—evidence gates are calibrated by archetype. Micro-examples: • Upstream: qualification plan aligned to ECSS/NASA references + AIT partner letter. • Downstream: data usage rights + enterprise security review pass.

Signed documents, test/qualification reports, paid pilots, revenue artifacts, IP filings—verifiable artifacts. Micro-examples by dimension: • Business: pricing sheet + unit economics workbook (COGS assumptions, sensitivity). • IP: provisional patent + FTO memo; for software: license and data rights. • Integration: ICD, ground segment test logs, letter from prime confirming fit.

No. Teams at IRL 2–4 gain the most by advancing Market, Funding, and Integration in parallel with engineering. Micro-example: With only a benchtop demo, you can still hit Market IRL 4–5 via LoIs + pilots.

Regulatory steps show up across IP, Funding, Sustainability, and Integration gates. Micro-examples: • Frequency filing started; debris policy documented. • Export-control screening complete for target customers.

(Indicative; we calibrate per startup.) Pre-Seed: Market ≥4, Business ≥3, Team ≥4, Tech ≥3 Seed: Market & Business ≥5, Team ≥5, Tech ≥5, Integration ≥4 Series A: Most ≥6; Sustainability & Integration trending ≥5 Micro-example action: "Hit Seed by converting 2 pilots to paid and securing one integration partner."

• Willingness-to-pay proof too thin (Market <5) • Enterprise integration gaps (APIs, SLAs) (Integration <4) Micro-examples: • Convert POCs to paid pilots with acceptance criteria. • Deliver a data-security pack + customer SOC2 check.

• Missing ICDs/qualification path with named partners • Supply-chain scalability unclear Micro-examples: • Publish a QM/QC plan and show a second-source vendor.

It's a first-class dimension tied to capital and partnerships. Micro-examples: • Debris-mitigation approach and EOL plan documented. • ESG policy + cadence (quarterly or semiannual).

Each dimension is assessed by a specialized AI agent that outputs: IRL score, confidence, evidence-based justification, and a next step. Micro-example: MarketAgent: "IRL 5, Medium confidence — 3 LoIs + 1 paid pilot; next: 2 paid renewals."

No—think standardized co-pilot for diligence and road-mapping. Micro-example: Advisors review the agent's recommendations before board prep.

At each milestone (new LoIs, test results, filings, partner letters) or monthly. Micro-example: "Post-thermal-vac test and first paid pilot → re-score Integration & Market."

Pitch, tech brief, test/qualification plan, customer pipeline & LoIs, pricing/UE, IP/FTO status, regulatory steps, partner letters, ICDs/APIs, sustainability policies. Micro-example checklist: 1–2 page tech brief, 3 LoIs, pilot SOW, pricing sheet, unit economics, ICD v0.9.

Balanced progress across all 8 dimensions so you become investable earlier—with the evidence investors and partners require. Micro-example outcome: "All core dimensions ≥5; Integration & Sustainability ≥4 → ready for Seed outreach."