The UK Space Agency Accelerator is opening applications for its highly anticipated second round of the Explore programme today, 21st of June. The programme offers unparalleled support for space entrepreneurs and is delivered through a partnership with the UK Space Agency, Entrepreneurial Spark and Exotopic.
In its first successful round, the Explore programme supported a dynamic cohort of entrepreneurs with businesses ranging from STEM education to sustainability, data analytics and AI, to satellite and rocket hardware build, propelling their start-ups to new heights of success. Now, the programme is inviting the next cohort of ambitious and visionary space entrepreneurs from all walks of life to join its mission of driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainable space practices.
Ashley Johnson, founder and CEO of Applied Atomics, a UK space company on a mission to harness sustainability and atomic technology took part in the first Explore cohort in 2023.
‘’The accelerator has been an incredible experience from start to end. Our experience throughout not only enabled us to satisfy our intended outcomes but brought a new level of discovery and inspiration that fuelled our rapid business growth. We had the privilege of working with our designated tech enablers who balanced both a technical and a business outlook throughout the programme.’’
The second round of the Explore programme will provide 30 highly coveted fully funded places for selected participants, perfect for those making their first steps into the commercial space industry. It is aimed at entrepreneurs who are either interested in building a business based on their existing space knowledge or in bringing new ideas from other industries, such as aerospace, law, quantum technology, farming, environmental engineering, or healthcare, that have potential in the space sector.
Portia Bircher, Local Growth Manager at the UK Space Agency, said:
“There are real opportunities with the space sector and the UK Space Agency Accelerator provides support for diverse ideas and talent to realise that growth opportunity.
“The hallmark of the Space Accelerator is the access to experts who aim to stimulate business growth in our cohorts through developing an entrepreneurial mindset. This is coupled with a focus on commercialisation and supporting truly sustainable businesses to ensure that the space sector can provide new-long term secure employment and economic growth right across the country.
“The Explore programme is just one of the offerings in the UK Space Agency Accelerator and is aimed at early-stage innovators. The relationship with universities is important and the Explore Programme can provide a pathway for students into the sector and for vibrant knowledge exchange for business. Key to our approach is creating a community, bringing our cohorts together with alumni of the programme, existing and new clusters of space related activity, thereby gathering critical mass which will also benefit adjacent parts of the economy.”
With a comprehensive support system designed to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey, participants will receive mentorship from seasoned industry experts, gain access to a wide network of partners, and receive tailored resources and training to address their unique challenges. The programme stands out from the rest due to its unique focus on cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and growth-oriented attitude, both crucial to achieving business success. Other areas of the Explore programme address personal growth, equip entrepreneurs with a diverse skill set to develop credible and capable entrepreneurs, and empower participants with unwavering confidence and focus on their goals.
Entrepreneurs interested in applying for the Explore programme can submit their applications through the programme’s official website https://www.ukspaceaccelerator.co.uk/explore. The application process will remain open until 25th of August, and successful applicants will start the programme on the 25th of September.
To find out more about the UK Space Agency Accelerator and to apply, visit www.ukspaceaccelerator.co.uk.
