Got fresh business ideas linked to the space industry? Glyndŵr’s OpTIC Technology Centre is looking to fund projects

Funding of up to £10,000 could help put rocket boosters under fresh business ideas linked to the space industry.

The funding is available from Glyndŵr’s OpTIC Technology Centre in St Asaph, which is running a competition throughout September to encourage businesses and organisations to put forward their proposals.

The centre – which forms part of the UK Space Agency Incubator Network – can provide winners with UKSA funds of up to £10,000 to help them develop ideas and products linked to the industry.

Organiser Richard Hazlewood said:

“The space industry is changing and we’re currently at a really exciting point for companies to get involved.

This competition is all about developing the next generation and bringing new ideas into the industry. The OpTIC Technology Centre and Glyndŵr Innovations have a strong track record as an incubator hub so, if you need some help, there’s a lot of guidance to draw on as people develop their projects.”

There are three separate packages available under the funding which businesses can tap into – whether that is business support, such as lab or office space, marketing support, to help present ideas in the most effective manner – or technical support such as engineering, design or integration.

Richard, who delivered a presentation on the proposals to the Mersey-Dee Alliance Innovation Network event in Birkenhead on September 14, is encouraging businesses who have not previously considered the space industry to look into applying.

He added: “We’re interested to hear from people who are taking that one small step – it’s not all rocket science! There are also many opportunities using downstream satellite data including communications, earth observation and navigation.

“As the space industry changes, it’s getting easier for new companies to get involved – and for existing companies to diversify. This funding isn’t just for the kind of company who might have traditionally applied, but for new ideas too.

“That could be something as simple as a proposal for an app that helps farmers make decisions about their crops using satellite information – as long as your proposals link to the space industry in some way, we want to hear from you.”

Time is running out to apply, so to find out more, and to make an application, visit: http://www.glyndwrinnovations.co.uk/launch-your-business-at-the-optic-technology-centre-with-the-uksa-glyndwr-innovations/ now.