T minus 2 weeks: opportunity for innovative space and satellite companies to join subsidised Innovate UK trade delegation to US
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited is credited with pioneering a new generation of cheaper and smaller satellites - each about the size of a washing machine.
The Daily Telegraph
Innovate UK yesterday invited UK businesses working in the space and satellite technology sectors to join a trade delegation to California this coming November, designed to present opportunities to innovative startups and SMEs to meet potential new US-based customers, partners and investors.
The ‘heavily' subsidised week long Space Mission 3, from 5-11 November 2016, will take up to 15 entrepreneurs to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and is scheduled to take in visits to leading-edge companies and technology hubs, networking events, masterclasses on pitching, meetings with specialist international trade advisors and briefings on all aspects of doing business overseas.
Organised by Innovate UK and digital consultancy chinwag.com, the trip designed to help businesses to:
- gain new understanding of the challenges and opportunities of exporting
- develop quality contacts with potential customers, investors and partners
- gain first-hand insight into new space and satellite applications markets
- boost their profile at home and abroad
- hone product pitches for international customers and investors
- develop a market-entry strategy
Previous missions secured over £1 million in investment
Space Mission UK has run two previous entrepreneur missions to support UK startups with their ambition to build world-leading space and satellite application companies. It's supported by Innovate UK and produced by Chinwag.
Previous missions are claimed to have secured over £1 million in investment, collaborating with major organisations such as NASA and the European Space Agency, winning contracts with the Ministry of Defence, and much more.
How to apply for Space Mission 3
Companies will be selected based on innovation and their suitability for the international market in a competitive process.
Successful applicant businesses will be required to pay travel and event costs, typically around £2,000. The programme includes pre-mission briefings and training and a post-mission debriefing.
Businesses will be selected based on innovation and their suitability for the international destination.
The deadline for applications is 16 September 2016. For more details and to apply, complete the online application form.
‘Guildford Satellite Cluster'
The Enterprise M3 area is home to a significant portion of a UK space industry that is 'punching above its weight' in the global market according to a study published last year by London Economics for the Satellite Applications Catapult, Innovate UK, UKspace and the UK Space Agency.
Britain's space sector doubled turnover over the previous decade to almost £12bn a year, and employed 37,000 people.
The University of Surrey, which is recognised as a centre for research, innovation, knowledge transfer and skills development in the Space Industry, hosts the Surrey Space Incubator based at the heart of the ‘Guildford Satellite Cluster' in Surrey Research Park, with 75% of the UK Space Industry turnover coming from the South East of England.
Among space based companies based in Surrey Research Park is Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, that is credited with pioneering a new generation of cheaper and smaller satellites - each about the size of a washing machine.
