Tesseract earns $1.25M contract to help Space Force, military ‘predict the future’
April 19, 2023 | Startland News Staff
Industry-defining tools built by Kansas City’s Tesseract Ventures will help the U.S. Space Force accurately track machines, people and objects on base, and create a clearer understanding of launch conditions through next generation data visualization, said John Boucard.
Tesseract announced Tuesday that the company has been awarded a direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation (SBIR) contract by the Space Force through AFWERX. The $1,250,000 contract is designated for research and development at Space Launch Delta 45 at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, and at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
“At Tesseract Ventures, we are driven by a sense of duty and purpose to make a positive impact on the world through the development and deployment of cutting-edge technology — for exactly the right customer at exactly the right time,” said Boucard. “Our SBIR Phase 2 relationship with the United States Space Force is an incredible opportunity to leverage our innovation studio, For All Kind, to accelerate the development of advanced 21st century wearable robotics, data visualization in all dimensions, and digital twin technology. It is an honor to be part of this contract.”
RELATED: Tesseract deepens military ties with deal to develop smart space hub for US Air Force
Under the newly announced contract, Tesseract will further develop its Tesseract Smart Space, Prism hardware and Mosaic software to create a multi-dimensional common operating picture of the launch environment.
Click here to learn more about Tesseract Ventures’ technology and its portfolio of genre-smashing, industry-crossing studios.
Prism’s real time location tracking hardware works with Mosaic’s data analysis software to collect and parse data from across the spaceport, detailed Boucard. These work to track inventory, equipment status, staff locations, environmental conditions and much more. This information can then be used to visualize a digital twin of objects such as rockets, or the entire space port. Armed with a data-enhanced picture that can be viewed from multiple vantage points in the Tesseract Smart Space, teams will get up-to-the-minute insights into a vast array of conditions that can enhance safety, increase efficiency and produce better outcomes.
Tesseract was founded in 2018 by John Boucard, a veteran inventor, engineer and technologist. It was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 — later becoming a go-to tech powerhouse for military and national security applications.
The company — which now splits bases of operations between Overland Park, Kansas, and Tampa, Florida — enables businesses to defy the boundaries of space and time through next-generation technologies. Robots, smart spaces, wearables and radically connected platforms are just some of the tools created by Tesseract in its mission to make industries smarter, better connected and more efficient.

2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Votes are in: ‘Fan favorite’ winners bake in support at KC Chamber showcase; Top 10 coming April 21
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Two Black- and women-owned ventures were named “fan favorites” Tuesday in a public vote that followed this week’s Small Business Showcase at Union Station. The honors are…
New Frontier diagnoses need, expands its imaging solution to rural, underserved patients
A hands-on Kansas City healthtech company is extending its diagnostic imaging services to support clinics across Kansas and Missouri with a focus on rural health centers and “lookalike” clinics serving patients in underserved communities and healthcare deserts. New Frontier Mobile Diagnostics was founded to improve access to imaging care for patients regardless of race, gender,…
AltCap launches Heartland expansion to aid more small biz typically overlooked by lenders
An expanded geographic footprint for AltCap will see the Kansas City-based small business lender make capital more accessible for entrepreneurs in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. The mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) finances small businesses and community-driven real estate development projects that create more economically-inclusive communities. “AltCap’s expansion has better positioned us for long…
Palacana stand debuts at Kauffman Stadium; opening major league gate to more small businesses
Being the first Kansas City-based Latino franchise to have a concession stand in Kauffman Stadium is a dream come true, shared Palacana owner and CEO Jose Luis Valdez. Palacana — which has six locations across the metro and an ice cream and paleta production facility in Roeland Park — is known for its fresh paletas,…



