Washington, D.C., March 13, 2025 – Phemotron Systems Corp, a pioneering aerospace technology company, is proud to announce its victory at the prestigious Startup Space pitch competition, held during the SATELLITE 2025 Conference & Exhibition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on March 11, 2025.
Phemotron Systems made history by becoming the first African American space startup to win this distinguished award in the competition’s nine-year history. The company’s groundbreaking technology, led by founder and CEO Dr. Femi Ishola, captivated the judges with its innovative AI-MotherBox-1, a 12U small CubeSat platform with a high-performance AI engine designed to execute data-gathering tasks at unprecedented speeds. This cutting-edge technology promises to revolutionize satellite communication and data processing, offering enhanced capabilities for a variety of applications.
Dr. Femi Ishola, Founder and CEO of Phemotron Systems, was named the winner of the 9th annual Startup Space Competition. Femi competed against nine other global startups in a five-minute pitch contest judged by the most active investors in space.
Phemotron Systems is a multinational space company with operations in Nigeria, Japan, and the USA. It is developing and aiming to launch a 12U small satellite (CubeSat) platform called the AI-MotherBox-1, which is equipped with a high-performing AI engine that can execute data-gathering tasks at superior speeds than conventional CubeSats. The AI-MotherBox-1 artificial intelligence is capable of learning and adapting to the dynamic space environment in the low-earth orbit.
“This was the most competitive Startup Space pitch event we’ve held in our nine-year history. Dr. Femi Ishola delivered a fantastic pitch highlighting how Phemotron Systems’ CubeSat could potentially utilize existing ground infrastructure in Africa to distribute analytics and critical data to various customers. He also explained how his company’s partnerships put it in a unique position to find success in Africa’s geopolitical landscape,” said Jeffrey Hill, SATELLITE 2025 Executive Chair. “This is a well-deserved win for Dr. Ishola and the Phemotron Systems team. Congratulations to them and to all of the competitors who participated in this year’s pitch event at SATELLITE 2025. We look forward to next year’s competition, when we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Startup Space!”
Dr. Ishola, a distinguished aerospace engineer with a global academic and professional background, expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, dedicating the award to aspiring innovators from Africa. “This is a testament that you can do it,” he remarked, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams in the aerospace sector.
In attendance was the President and Chief Business Officer, Leslie F. Giscombe, who expressed his enthusiasm for Phemotron’s continued growth and success in the industry.
Phemotron Systems operates across the United States, Japan, and Nigeria, focusing on the potential of small satellites and providing advanced engineering technologies and services in space, aviation, and ground domains. The company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability underscores its mission to shape the future of space and its benefits to the continent of Africa.
The Startup Space competition, now in its ninth year, offers emerging entrepreneurs a platform to showcase transformative ideas, connect with industry leaders, and gain essential resources for success. Phemotron Systems’ achievement highlights its dedication to advancing aerospace technology and contributing to the global space industry.
Contact: Phemotron Systems Corp.
Email: info@phemotron.com
Website: www.phemotron.com
