Member Article

Early stage space technologies to receive funding

Early stage companies using space technology for innovative products will have the chance to access £1.1m funding pots.

The Technology Strategy Board’s Harwell Space Launchpad is running the competition which supports R&D projects connected to the cluster companies based in and around Oxfordshire.

Entrants are tasked with developing satellite data-based surveillance technology for use in oil spill disasters; portable and cheap breath analyser for cancer detection; and the remote aerial inspection systems for energy assets such as remote pipelines and power lines.

The sums will be match-funded by companies, or from investors, banks and other lenders, as well as development contracts with customers, suppliers and other partners.

David Bott, head of Innovation Programmes at the Technology Strategy Board said: “Although the examples of space technology transfer will make the headlines with this announcement, it’s equally important to note that this Launchpad competition not only provides SMEs with funding for R&D projects, but supports the growth of their businesses through connections with mentors and expert advisors, as well as increasing access to the investor community and ecosystem around Harwell.

“We want to draw companies, investment and people into the Harwell space cluster end encourage networking and cooperation.”

More information can be found here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .