UK Space Agency Accelerator

Start up and grow in space with the UK Space Agency Accelerator.

Accelerating your business in space

The UK Space Agency Accelerator has returned, bigger than before, and is ready to hear from the brightest and boldest entrepreneurs the UK has to offer.

Delivered through a partnership with the UK Space Agency, Entrepreneurial Spark and Exotopic, who are offering multiple routes for intrepid entrepreneurs to develop their businesses in the space sector. 

Which programme is right for me?

The bespoke accelerator programmes; Explore, Leo and Geo are designed to help unearth opportunities for businesses at various levels of their space journey. From established space businesses to start-ups and anyone working in a related industry such as engineering, manufacturing or even farming and other areas, who might not have yet fully explored the opportunities, the accelerator programme will help boost business growth.

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.

Explore 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

The programme will run from 25 September 2023 to 1 December 2023.

Leo

LEO is ideal for entrepreneurs who have proof of concept in place and are at the mid-development stage. Required is a slightly higher level of space knowledge so perhaps you’re already working in the Space industry, or you may now be looking to progress further and drive your ambition higher. If this sounds like you, look no further than Leo. 

Leo criteria

To apply for the Leo programme, you must: 

• Be an entrepreneur in the space sector, in a sector using space technology, or exploring how you can enter the space sector 
• Have proof of concept in place, ideally one of the below:
  • Customers or users for your product/service
  • Commercial revenue
  • Grant or seed funding from a third party (not friends or family)
  • (If you do no meet these criteria but believe this is the right programme for you then please apply and tell us how you have proven your concept a different way)
• Have a desire to create a growth business or social enterprise, not a lifestyle business 
• Spend at least 50% of your time working on this business
• Have a UK registered business and intend to operate in the UK

The next Leo programme will start in January 2024. Applications will open October 2023.

Geo

GEO is perfect for those with some market traction (around £500k in funding raised or annualised sales run rate) and now looking to go even higher. Think growth, think Geo. If you’re seeking to scale up at pace, Geo can provide the next steps in further elevating your dreams to a reality.

Geo criteria

To apply for the Geo programme, you must: 

• Be an entrepreneur in the space sector, or in another sector using space technology 
• Be working full time on the business
• Have commercial traction in the space sector. This means:
  • A minimum of either £500k of funding raised (investment, grants and/or debt) or £500k of annualised revenue
  • We will accept revenue projections of £500k where there is a clear trajectory based on current and historic performance 

The next Geo programme will start in January 2024. Applications will open October 2023.