FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Minneapolis — January 28, 2025] — Nova Space Inc., the leader in digital training and professional development for the burgeoning space industry, is proud to announce a significant investment by the Erdle family in parent company Pure Capital Solutions LLC. This investment will support the launch of the Space Workforce Institute (The Institute) and provide additional support to Nova Space’s initiatives.
This strategic investment, made through Erdle Family Holdings and the International Education Foundation (INEF), reflects the family’s enduring legacy of innovation and their commitment to fostering the next generation of space industry professionals. INEF is a supporting foundation for the Academy Research & Development Institute (ARDI), founded by the late Brigadier General Philip Erdle, a career Air Force officer, educator, and philanthropist.
The investment supports efforts to equip individuals with essential skills through Nova Space’s innovative training programs while enabling the newly formed Space Workforce Institute to establish credentialing standards and certifications that unify and elevate the space industry workforce. As a public benefit corporation, the Institute will also create additional opportunities to support K-12 STEM programs and traditionally underrepresented groups and regions, which are vital to fostering future workforce growth.
“Nova Space and the Space Workforce Institute are at the forefront of workforce development for the space economy,” said Joseph Horvath, founder of The Institute and CEO of Nova Space. “The Erdle family’s investment strengthens our ability to deliver the training, credentials, and opportunities needed to help individuals and organizations succeed in the rapidly growing space economy.”
“This investment reflects a shared vision to build a workforce equipped to meet the demands of the trillion-dollar space economy,” said Terry Erdle. “Both Nova Space and The Institute play essential roles in shaping the standards and skills the industry urgently needs.”
As part of this collaboration, Terry Erdle has also joined the Executive Advisory Committee for the Institute, lending his decades of workforce development expertise to guide the organization’s growth and strategic initiatives.
“Terry’s investment and leadership will drive our vision to unify the industry, establish workforce standards and credentials, and support the growth of a resilient space workforce,” said Bill West, executive director of the Space Workforce Institute.
Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Terry Erdle, based in Colorado Springs, brings decades of leadership and experience in workforce development, with deep roots in credentialing and training. Inspired by his father, Terry’s dedication to innovation and industry advancement developed throughout a long career in technology, training, and credentialing. General Phil Erdle was instrumental in shaping the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving as a pioneering instructor, Vice Dean of Faculty, and Permanent Professor of Engineering Mechanics. Beyond the military, he transformed education systems globally and fostered innovation through one of Colorado Springs’ first business incubators, leaving a legacy of leadership and mentorship.
Building on this foundation, the Erdles have built meaningful connections in Colorado Springs, a hub for the space industry. Their work with organizations like the United States Air Force Academy highlights the reach and impact of his efforts. Recognizing the critical need for industry aligned training and credentialing solutions in the space economy, Terry joined forces with Bill West and Bryan Kainrath to support the newly formed Space Workforce Institute. This investment reflects confidence in their ability to unite industry leaders and establish standardized credentials that address pivotal skill gaps, ensuring the workforce is prepared for the future of the space sector.
The Erdle family’s investment underscores their belief in the transformative potential of both Nova Space and the Space Workforce Institute to address critical challenges in the space industry. Together, these organizations are driving workforce innovation by combining advanced training programs credentialing standards tailored to meet the evolving needs of the space sector.
“Our investment is about honoring a legacy of innovation and leadership,” said Col. Mick Erdle, USAF (Ret), Chairman of the ARDI Foundation. “Our father believed deeply in education, mentorship, and preparing the next generation for challenges ahead. Education runs deep in our family, with Dad’s and Mom’s advanced degrees, all our sisters’ careers as instructors/teachers, Terry’s extensive experience in the training and certification arena, and my own degrees and instructor pilot assignments. Dad would have been immensely proud to see the Space Workforce Institute bringing together industry leaders to build the standards and pathways needed to secure the future of the space economy. This is a pivotal moment, and both Nova Space and the Institute are uniquely positioned to lead.”
Space Workforce Institute Gains Industry Traction
With momentum already building ahead of its public launch in April 2025, the Space Workforce Institute is in the process of securing cornerstone investment members and Executive Advisory Committee members from the space, credentialing, academia, commercial, and association sectors. These foundational members will play a pivotal role in shaping credentialing frameworks that align with industry demands and support the sustainable growth of the space economy.
About Nova Space
Nova Space, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializes in high-quality, science-driven training and professional development for the space industry. With a mission to empower the space workforce through accessible, industry-aligned education, Nova Space is dedicated to shaping the future of this emerging field.