Open Call: UK Space Agency Accelerator Explore Programme

Explore

• Explore is perfect for those making their first steps into the commercial space industry. Perhaps you think of yourself as an “inventor” with a desire to commit to building a scalable business, or maybe you’re working in another industry such as aerospace, law, quantum technology, farming, environmental engineering or healthcare but see the potential for your idea in space. If this sounds like you, Explore could be the perfect match.

What You Will Get?

• Explore is a 9-week accelerator sprint designed to give you a burst of pace in a short space of time. Working with a panel of experts and an amazing cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs, you will lay the foundations for building a high-growth, scalable space business.
• The Explore programme includes:
  • Access to new cutting-edge business growth tools to prioritise your focus areas.
  • 1:1 support from entrepreneurial growth experts and technical commercialisation gurus.
  • A 5-week action sprint to help you learn and make progress on a daily basis.
  • Regular drop-ins and group sessions to tackle key challenges.
  • A 90-day planning process to ensure you leave with a clear path and the right network to support you on the next stage of your journey.

Outcomes 

• Learn how to think like an entrepreneur to be more decisive and productive.
• Identify your best early customers and route to market.
• Assess your business model and product strength.
• Find the best path to raise funds and start to develop your proposition.
• Lay the foundations for building a sustainable business.
• Grow your network with 30 other fantastic space entrepreneurs.
• Get to grips with the space supply chain and where you might fit in.

What else can you expect?

• Orbit Series
  • Underpinning every level will be the live Orbit Series, accessible online at any stage of the UK Space Agency Accelerator. Covering everything from Business Leadership and Mindset to Customer Acquisition and everything in between, Orbit is the perfect learning companion to all of the accelerator programmes.
• Trajectory events
  • If meeting in person is your thing, the Trajectory network events will offer a gathering of likeminded explorers across seven key locations.

What they are looking for?

Once you apply, they will assess your application against the following criteria:

• Mindset: Do you demonstrate a desire to get outside your comfort zone?
• Innovation: Have you identified an interesting opportunity with a unique solution?
• Collaboration: Are you willing to truly join the community and work with others to get where you’re going?
• Vision: How clear and compelling is your direction?
• Capacity and Commitment: Can you make the most of the programme?
• Traction: what have you tried so far?

Criteria

To apply for the Explore programme, you must:

• Be an early stage business – anywhere from idea stage through to proof of concept
• Be either in the space sector, in another sector using space technology, or exploring how you can enter the space sector
• Have a desire to start a growth business/social enterprise, not a lifestyle business or research project
• You may have some early revenue of customer engagement, but this is not a requirement
• You, as the entrepreneurial leader, are based in the UK
• Apply if:
  • You are willing to step outside your comfort zone and take actions every day.
  • You want to listen and learn from others and help them in return.
  • You’re hungry to make progress and want to get going!
  • You can commit to 3-5 flexible hours per week working on your business.
  • You are outside the space sector and want to grow your business and explore this industry at the same time.

For more information, visit UK Space Agency Accelerator.