Today, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced the formation of a new geospatial accelerator with Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC)  based in St. Louis.

The accelerator, anticipated to launch in early 2021, is a vehicle to drive connections between NGA employees and industry, furthering the collective geospatial efforts in the region.

“Our relationships with industry and academia are crucial to helping NGA solve the challenges we face in keeping our nation secure,” said NGA Director Vice Adm. Robert Sharp during remarks at the Geospatial Gateway Forum virtual event Oct. 20. “Every time I visit St. Louis, I’m reminded of how much we can accomplish together.”

Accelerator participants will develop products for NGA mission needs as outlined in the NGA Technology Strategy , in support of NGA’s foundation GEOINT function. Foundation GEOINT is the data, products and services describing the physical and cultural characteristics of Earth and space. Foundation GEOINT supports intelligence, defense, civil and commercial needs.

“The goal of the accelerator is to grow the number of geospatial solutions available to NGA and its customers,” said Christine Woodard, NGA's STL Geospatial Ecosystem Engagement lead. “The accelerator will provide early-stage geospatial companies an opportunity to mature their technology for both commercial and defense applications.”

Capital Innovators, the St. Louis-based accelerator operator selected by MTC to run the accelerator, will begin accepting applications from industry in late 2020, targeting an early 2021 launch.

Any entrepreneurs or mentors interested in learning more about the accelerator program can sign up for additional information on the Capital Innovators website .