{"id":19156,"date":"2016-11-30T18:00:57","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T10:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/aerospace-startups-use-starbursts-shark-tank-in-seattle-to-keep-their-dreams-afloat\/"},"modified":"2016-11-30T18:00:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T10:00:57","slug":"aerospace-startups-use-starbursts-shark-tank-in-seattle-to-keep-their-dreams-afloat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/aerospace-startups-use-starbursts-shark-tank-in-seattle-to-keep-their-dreams-afloat\/","title":{"rendered":"Aerospace startups use Starburst\u2019s shark tank in Seattle to keep their dreams afloat"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"MatterFab
Seattle-based MatterFab is working on a 3-D printer that looks like a walk-in freezer but can use laser microwelding to make metal components out of powder. (Credit: MatterFab)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some aerospace ventures came to Starburst Accelerator\u2019s shark tank in Seattle today to find investors. Others were looking for customers. But unlike the TV version of \u201cShark Tank,\u201d none of them was sent away in defeat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no winners or losers,\u201d Van Espahbodi, Starburst\u2019s co-founder and chief operating officer, told GeekWire at the end of the all-day pitch session.<\/p>\n

Instead, a dozen entrepreneurs got the chance to pitch their ideas at the Museum of Flight, in front of venture capitalists, aerospace executives and other industry types (plus a couple of journalists).<\/p>\n

\"Starburst<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s gathering marked the first Starburst event conducted in Seattle, which has been gaining more visibility as an aerospace industry hub \u2013 thanks to the likes of such stalwarts as the Boeing Co. as well as more recent entrants such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin space venture. Both of those companies had representatives in the audience today.<\/p>\n

Three hometown aerospace ventures had spots on the schedule, including Seattle-based MatterFab, which is working on a 3-D printer that can create metal parts from laser-welded powder.<\/p>\n

After years of development and millions of dollars in startup funding, MatterFab is on the verge of putting its machine to work. It\u2019s already talking with Blue Origin as well as Boeing, SpaceX and GE about doing business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been told, \u2018If you had anything today, you would be building our parts,’\u201d MatterFab CEO Jonathan Saint Clair said.<\/p>\n