Innovation Challenge: Space Data for Industry (UK)

They’re looking to fund ambitious, innovative projects that’ll accelerate the commercial use of space data and technologies.

Although satellite data and services already underpin more than 17% of the UK’s GDP, the downstream space sector is still an emerging market involving commercial opportunities with little precedent. Developing value propositions can be challenging, as private and public sector customers can be uncertain of the value of space data in the context of their operations and services.

The new international challenge will help Scottish space technology businesses show how innovative satellite data-driven services can deliver solutions primarily for financial services customers in Denmark (although other sectors may be considered).

Challenge Objectives 

• This call aims to boost private sector investment in growth by supporting small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt new-to-firm innovation and expand their international presence.
• They’re also looking to bridge the gap between the market’s understanding of the potential of satellite data and services in organisations, and the ability of space sector companies to collaborate more closely with international industry partners to secure new sales opportunities.

Funding Information

• Grant funding for 100% of your eligible project costs is available, up to a maximum of £30,000. Up to 10 projects will be funded.

Eligible Costs

• You can use the funding to cover:
  • Employee salaries
  • Subcontractors and consultancy fees (including academics)
  • Travel costs
  • Fees for trials and testing
  • Access to data sets

Eligible Projects

• As a solution provider/technology company, you must:
  • Have a proposed solution
  • Have a proven capability to conduct technical and commercial feasibility projects
  • Be working with a challenge partner/customer
• The lead applicant must be registered and based in Scotland.
• To be eligible, all projects must also:
  • Be a research and development (R&D) project that clearly addresses the challenge brief
  • Aim to provide the technical detail and commercial case for subsequent development and demonstration projects, ultimately leading to a sale
  • Show economic benefit to Scotland – for example, through job creation
  • Aim to develop and commercialise innovative technology with a Danish partner
  • Last no more than three months
  • Be completed by 31 January 2026
  • Be largely carried out in Scotland
• You also mustn’t start the project, or commit to any project costs, before you sign the grant funding contract.

Ineligible Projects

• Certain projects are out of scope, including projects:
  • Where the technology company/lead applicant is based outside Scotland
  • Where there is no challenge partner or customer involved in the project
  • Where space data/technology is not a key enabler of the proposed solution
  • That use technology solutions with no clear route to market or economic impact

Eligibility Criteria

• This call is open to businesses of any size based in Scotland. To be eligible, the lead applicant must:
  • Be registered in Scotland
  • Be a registered company (a company that’s registered with Companies House)
  • Be an individual business (although you can include subcontract costs and consultancy fees in your eligible costs, including those related to academic partners)
  • Be committed to fair working practices, which means paying employees at least the real living wage (currently £12.60 in Scotland) and ensuring that the work offers an effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment, and respect
  • Provide details of any other recent funding you’ve received as minimal financial assistance or as de minimis within the current and past two financial years, so they can determine if they can offer a grant without it exceeding your minimal financial assistance or de minimis threshold.

For more information, visit Scottish Enterprise.