Our Idea
We, the KNU team, propose a startup idea — the cultivation of special crystals in a space-based factory station, which will be used for AI training and quantum computers. Producing them in space is beneficial due to the physical peculiarities of crystal formation. On Earth, during crystallization, gravity, convection, and impurity sedimentation affect the process. Because of this, crystals turn out imperfect: they grow unevenly and develop lattice defects.
However, in space, due to the absence of gravity and air, crystals form without defects, with a perfect atomic lattice and superior electrical properties. As a result, computers will not just perform several times better — their performance will increase exponentially, even though they are made from the same materials. For quantum computers and AI training, this will significantly enhance efficiency and lead to a major breakthrough.
Business Strategy
We propose the following business strategy: the creation of an orbital factory-laboratory in low Earth orbit that will grow crystals and then return batches of several dozen kilograms to Earth. Our potential customers will be major tech giants such as Google, AMD, and NVIDIA.
Our idea is realistic, as there are already existing startups like Space Forge, whose goal is to produce unique materials and semiconductors in microgravity conditions — materials impossible to create on Earth. This year, they plan to launch ForgeStar-1, the world’s first returnable manufacturing platform. Therefore, our concept has every prerequisite and opportunity to become a real, viable venture.