Regional Focus
Stellar support for small businesses
Small businesses developing products and services for the space sector will be able to take advantage of a new incubation programme being run at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park ( UNIP )
The Space Technology Entrepreneurship ( Space TEC ) programme at Nottingham will utilise the University ’ s expertise in key technologies and enterprise education , and will also link with its international campuses .
The Space TEC programme is being funded through the UK Space Agency ’ s Business Incubation Programme . The aim of the programme is to support start-up companies across the breadth of the space sector and grow space in the region by providing a supportive business environment to assist entrepreneurs to develop small companies - an important path in realising the space sector ’ s ambition to achieve a 10 per cent share of the global space market by 2030 .
The Space TEC programme at UNIP will provide businesses with the opportunity to access a range of key technological expertise at The University of Nottingham , including downstream applications of geospatial engineering , aerospace , energy , digital and advanced manufacturing technologies .
Businesses involved in the incubator pilot at the University will benefit from intensive on-campus support delivered by Nottingham University Business School . In addition , they will receive technical training from experts within the University ’ s world-leading satellite applications centres of excellence .
Colin Baldwin , UK Space Gateway Programme Manager at the UK
Businesses will receive technical training from experts within the University ’ s world-leading satellite applications centres of excellence
Space Agency , said : “ Within the East Midlands there are opportunities for a range of companies developing innovative products that can match the needs of the space industry , building upon existing strengths in space hardware , Earth observation and global navigation systems .
“ We ’ re committed to nurturing business and research in these regions , and showing small businesses how they can benefit from our £ 11.8 billion space industry .”
Mark Tock , Director of the University of Nottingham Innovation Park , said : “ It is fantastic news that UNIP is part of this exciting UK Space Agency incubation initiative , and very timely with the forthcoming opening of our new Technology Entrepreneurship Centre .”
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