Dual-Use Space Tech: Silicon Valley and Denver - Canadian Technology Accelerator

Space is no longer the final frontier - it is a thriving economy.

Are you ready to scale your Space tech venture into the most dynamic hubs for dual-use innovation in the Western United States?

The Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) Dual-Use Space Tech is a tailored initiative designed to support Canadian companies in accelerating the commercialization and adoption of their advanced space technologies. The program focuses on 2 of the most strategically important U.S. ecosystems: 

• Silicon Valley
• Colorado

This initiative provides Canadian ventures with direct access to the Western U.S.’s key dual-use innovation clusters. This connects them to civil, military, and commercial players in the space domain, including:

• investors
• defense primes
• federal agencies
• commercial partners

The program is led by the Trade Commissioner Service and supported by the Consulates of Canada in Palo Alto and Denver. It offers a high-value blend of virtual preparation, immersive in-market programming, and exposure at 2 flagship U.S. space events:

Silicon Valley: Where Innovation, Capital, and Collaboration converge

Silicon Valley serves as a global hub for innovation, where venture capital, advanced technologies, national labs, and academic institutions drive continuous breakthroughs. In the space industry, the region leads transformation through dual-use technologies, with a strong focus on Space Deeptech. This creates unparalleled opportunities for partnerships, prototyping, and scaling.

The Consulate General of Canada in Palo Alto will lead the selected cohort to the SmallSat Symposium (February 9 to 12, 2026), a globally recognized event bringing together satellite industry pioneers, investors, and technology leaders.

This track provides:

• critical exposure
• high-value networking
• business development opportunities
• a launchpad for accelerating growth in the global space economy

Colorado: The nexus of Aerospace and National Security

Colorado is the leading hub for space and defense industries in the U.S., hosting top defense contractors, military space operations, civil agencies, and commercial innovators. Its strong support infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration make it uniquely suited for developing dual-use space technology development.

The Consulate General of Canada in Denver will oversee the Canada Industry Program at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs (April 13 to 16, 2026), the largest and most influential aerospace conference in North America.

This optional in-market track provides curated pitch opportunities across military, civil, and commercial space sectors, allowing selected Canadian companies to establish themselves within the broader dual-use innovation landscape.

Technology focus area

Investors, federal agencies, defense primes, and commercial partners are actively seeking high-impact, scalable solutions to meet the growing demand in the geospatial intelligence and dual-use space sectors.

The CTA Dual-Use Space Tech initiative is particularly focused on Canadian companies in leveraging emerging technologies such as quantum, photonics, optics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to enable predictive analytics, infrastructure resilience, and joint-domain fusion. Priority areas include:

• earth observation systems and imaging technologies
• high-resolution satellite imagery and applied analytics
• in-orbit compute and edge-processing infrastructure 
• intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (IRS) capabilities 
• remote sensing, asset tracking, and environmental monitoring
• secure communications and high-velocity data analysis systems

• Virtual program: November 4, 2025 to February 3, 2026 (2 hours per week for 10 weeks)
• In-market track 1 - Silicon Valley: SmallSat Symposium, February 9 to 12, 2026 (Mandatory)
• In-market track 2 - Colorado Springs: Space Symposium, April 13 to 16, 2026 (Optional)

Participation in the CTA Dual-Use Space Tech initiative offers Canadian companies a range of strategic advantages:

• Actionable, expert feedback on U.S. fundraising and partnership strategies
• Strategic coaching in pitching, storytelling, and presentation development
• In-depth U.S. market intelligence from legal, regulatory, and industry experts
• Curated introductions to key stakeholders in the U.S. dual-use space ecosystem
• Exposure at premier space industry events and opportunities to showcase technology

We invite applications from Canadian companies advancing high-impact, scalable solutions for dual-use space markets

Companies should:

• be a revenue-generating business with a validated, deployable technology suited for both government and commercial use
• have a committed and experienced leadership team with clear U.S. market-entry goals
• possess adequate resources and operational capacity to support expansion into Western U.S. markets
• be committed to fully participate in both virtual and in-market programming components

The Trade Commissioner Service is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in global trade. We strongly encourage applications from companies led by Canadians of all backgrounds.

Over the course of  10 weeks, participants will engage in strategic virtual programming followed by immersive in-market visits:

Virtual program

• November 2025 to February, 2026
• 2 hours per week of expert-led sessions, workshops, and pitch development

In-market track 1: Silicon Valley – Mandatory

• February 9 to 12, 2026
• Includes participation in the SmallSat Symposium (Mountain View) B2B meetings, roundtables, and engagements facilitated by the Consulate of Canada in Palo Alto.

In-market track 2: Colorado Springs – Optional

• April 13 to 16, 2026
• Includes the Canada Industry Program at the Space Symposium, led by the Consulate of Canada in Denver, with tailored pitch opportunities and access to key decision-makers in the space and defense sector

The Silicon Valley component  (February 2026) will provide direct access to investors, industry leaders, and innovation partners.

An optional Colorado track (April 2026) offers additional exposure at the Space Symposium and curated meetings with defense and space-sector partners.

Program costs

This is non-equity, no-cost initiative. For selected Canadian companies, participation in the CTA Dual-Use Space Tech is free .  

However, participants are responsible for the in-market components'  travel and accommodation expenses.

Participants must commit to a minimum 4-day visit to Silicon Valley and an optional 4-day track in Colorado Springs.