Six Members of the Techstars Network Named 2026 Payload Pioneers

Payload, the leading news hub for the space industry, released its 2026 Payload Pioneers, a 30-under-30 for the people building the future of space. Now in its fourth year, the list drew more than 100 nominations and honors founders, engineers, investors, researchers, and policymakers whose work is moving the industry forward.

Four honorees this year are founders of Techstars portfolio companies, one is an engineer at a Techstars-backed company, and one is our own Chase Dalton, an Investment Analyst at Techstars.

Here's a closer look at each of them. You can see the full 2026 Payload Pioneers list here.

Muhammad Hunain, Founder of Melagen Labs

Techstars 2024 | Space tech, Manufacturing

Melagen Labs provides reliable, durable, and affordable radiation shielding for the next generation of space-faring tech and adventurers.

Anna Shaposhnik, Founder of ORBES

Techstars 2025 | Space tech, Robotics

ORBES makes autonomous space robots, starting with a free-flying drone for filmmaking and inspection inside space stations.

Marc Galobardes Esteban, Co-Founder of Amura Space (formerly CISGAM)

Techstars 2025 | Space tech, Propulsion

Amura Space is building a refuelable, MEMS-based electrospray propulsion system that gives small satellites high efficiency and maneuverability in orbit.

Tyler Bernstein, Co-Founder of Zeno Power

Techstars 2019 | Space tech, Cleantech

Zeno Power builds next-generation radioisotope power systems.

Dhruv Jain, Engineer at Kayhan Space

Techstars 2020 | Space tech, AI/ML

Kayhan Space offers a cloud-based space flight dynamics and mission analysis platform.

Chase Dalton, Investment Analyst at Techstars

Chase sources startups for the Techstars Space Accelerator and leads commercial and technical due diligence on aerospace and orbital infrastructure ventures. He also builds partnerships that support dual-use innovation and technical validation, and helps founders and investors grow their networks across the deep tech ecosystem.

Why Space Founders Keep Showing Up

Space is one of the hardest places to build a company. The hardware is expensive, the timelines are long, and the customers are demanding. The founders on this list are taking on radiation, propulsion, power, robotics, and orbital safety, some of the toughest problems in the industry, and doing it before turning 30.

Techstars has backed space founders for years through programs like the Techstars Space Accelerator. Seeing so many of them recognized together is a great signal of where the next generation of space leadership is coming from.

Congratulations to Muhammad, Anna, Marc, Tyler, Dhruv, and Chase.