Home | NEXPLORE 2040

visionary sponsor

Join us for NEXPLORE 2040, three days of keynotes, panels, demos, and working groups tackling the next set of grand challenges in partnership with industry, academia, investors, and government.

NEXPLORE Conference:

3-day summit

Experience the future of space exploration at NEXPLORE 2040, a 3-day summit where industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries come together for cutting-edge discussions, hands-on experiences, and networking that will shape the next era of space technology.

NEXPLORE Collegiate:

Horizons Challenge

The Horizons Challenge is your chance to identify the critical focus areas that will lead humanity to the Moon and Mars by 2040 and solve major global challenges.

Join university student teams from across the country to submit the topics that will fuel innovation and drive NASA's next mission—together, let's set our sights on the horizons of tomorrow.

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NEXPLORE Experiences

Keynotes

Hear industry experts and luminaries address the latest trends and challenges in space exploration.

Networking

Generate actionable insights and foster multidisciplinary collaboration.

Horizons Awards Ceremony

Celebrate and engage over drinks and dinner.

Interactive workshops

Engage with industry experts on critical topics and strategies for lunar and Martian habitation by 2040.

Pitch competition & awards ceremony

Hear live pitches, cast your vote, and award the prize in the groundbreaking university Horizons Challenge.

Who should attend?

This is the perfect platform for those passionate about pushing the boundaries of Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Athletics, Marketing, and Science (TEAMS) to connect, innovate, and drive the next frontier in space and beyond.

Investors and CXOs
University students, researchers, and academic institutions
Athletes and cultural influencers
Startups, private, and public companies
Government agencies and contractors

Discover

Uncover the latest trends and insights in space exploration through engaging keynotes and dynamic discussions.

Horizons Challenge

Discover how students can pioneer solutions for tomorrow's space challenges.

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Create

Collaborate with industry leaders and peers from different disciplines to develop innovative strategies and solutions essential for lunar exploration.

Accelerate

Participate in interactive workshops and networking opportunities that propel your ideas forward and foster meaningful connections.

NEXPLORE

What will you NEXPLORE?

Thank you to our sponsors!

We gratefully acknowledge our sponsors, whose support is instrumental in advancing the mission and impact of NEXPLORE 2040.

Title Sponsors

Visionary Sponsor

Innovator Sponsor

Catalyst sponsor

These are the kind of minds that we need to bring together because in order for us to innovate, it really takes people that are accustomed to thinking outside the box.

Christyl Johnson, Ph.D.

Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate

NASA

You're doing fearless innovation. You're going to change the human condition. And for that, I salute you.

Jay A. Perman, M.D.

Chancellor

University System of Maryland

We're so interested in [xFoundry] because we need to get people who understand how to have a big concept how to make sure that that concept drives the impact to humanity.

Stacey Shulman

Vice President - Health, Education and Consumer Industries

Intel Corporation

Today is really a watershed moment in the history of the University of Maryland with this creative and innovative ecosystem.

Darryll J. Pines, Ph.D.

President

University of Maryland, College Park

As a donor, I'm very satisfied to find a project where we could actually contribute at the intersection of education and research.

Emilio A. Fernandez '69

Founding Donor

E. A. Fernandez IDEA Factory - University of Maryland, College Park