ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More than a dozen small businesses will be gathering in New Mexico next week for the 2019 Hyperspace Challenge .
The Air Force and a business accelerator with ties to Central New Mexico Community College recently selected 14 finalists for this year's challenge.
The effort brings together technology startups and government innovators from around the country to collaborate and solve real-world problems facing the space industry.
Organizers say the space industry is a growing component of the economy and many entities are looking for ways to foster innovation and investment.
The finalists will participate in a three-day hyper-accelerator in Albuquerque. The startup with the most viable pitch will be awarded incentives and prize money to help establish acquisition or contracting opportunities with the government.
The startups will share their pitches during the Space Startup Summit on Nov. 20.
