The UK Space Agency’s Leo programme aims to get space entrepreneurs up and running. Tom Batchelor takes a closer look.
Breaking into an industry with opportunities and challenges as seemingly limitless as space itself can be a daunting proposition. But for 20 fledgling firms hoping to be the next space sector entrepreneurs, help is at hand.
The UK Space Agency has established a fully funded accelerator programme aimed at helping entrepreneurs working on projects from recycling in space to nano satellites and constellation management, to build competitive and sustainable business models. In September 2021, the ‘Leo’ programme began offering one-to-one bespoke advice to successful applicants, as part of the free, six-month project facilitated by business accelerator specialist Entrepreneurial Spark.