Space Challenge cohort has lift-off

Worth almost £300m in revenue, and supporting over 7000 jobs, Scotland’s space industry is on a massive growth trajectory.

This week, ten new space-related projects from Scotland’s Universities will take their first steps towards turning their innovations into commercial reality, as they take part in Converge’s first Space Challenge.

Designed especially for early-stage projects in the space sector, in partnership with Space Scotland, this new Challenge will provide valuable entrepreneurial foundations for new founders entering this fast-growing market.

Projects which have been successful in gaining a place on the programme span a huge range of space-related applications, including:

• Novel technology to manufacture large spacecraft structures directly in orbit
• Sensors to detect and capture small pieces of space debris, preventing catastrophic damage to high-value satellites 
• Platforms and solutions to monitor and enhance astronaut health
• Advanced photonic chemical sensors with satellite-enabled capabilities for environmental monitoring capabilities 

Converge deputy director, Dr Lissa Herron, said: “Scotland’s Universities have developed world-class centres of expertise in all disciplines relating to the space sector, and the rapid growth of the industry here in recent years shows that it is possible to develop and scale home-grown businesses which can create global impact.

“The aim of our Space Challenge is to give emerging businesses the key skills they need to develop on a sound commercial footing, giving them the best chance of success in this exciting market.”

Dr Natasha Nicholson, CEO of Space Scotland, added: “Scotland’s world class universities continue to impress with the depth and diversity of their research and inventions. Empowering their staff and students to take their innovations to market is the fastest way to combine real world benefits and economic growth. We’re delighted to partner with Converge, who have a proven track record of upskilling the next generation of entrepreneurs.”    

The successful projects on the cohort are: