Satellite Start-Ups

Want to get into space? It takes just two hours…

On 20 May, the UK space sector is coming to Newcastle to help entrepreneurs launch new business ideas that use satellite technology.

The European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) and the Copernicus Masters are the leading innovation competitions designed to transform brilliant ideas that use satellite technology into exciting start-up businesses and new products and services.

On 20 May, the UK competition team will be in Newcastle and are inviting budding entrepreneurs and companies in the North East to attend an information session to learn more about the competitions, the prizes and how to submit an application.

In 2015, the ESNC is looking for ideas using satellite positioning, navigation and timing technology (think GPS) and the Copernicus Masters is looking for ideas in the application of satellite Earth observation imagery and data.

Prizes include a combination of cash investment, comprehensive business support including Intellectual Property (IP) advice from leading patent and trade mark attorneys Marks & Clerk, technical support from across the European Space sector, and access to space datasets worth up to £10,000.

Still need persuading?  Then take inspiration from previous winner Peter Lilley, Director of iGeolise who won the UK leg of the ESNC in 2012.

“If someone’s got two hours free, they should enter the competition…and frankly, if they haven’t got two hours free, they should make two hours!  It will transform their business,” says Peter.

Competition Discovery Workshop Details

• Date: 20 May

• Time: 08:30 – 10:30

• Location: The Core, Science Central, Bath Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TF

To register, visit https://sa.catapult.org.uk/discovery-workshops

The European Satellite Navigation Competition (www.ukesnc.com) closes on 30 June 2015 and the Copernicus Masters (www.copernicus-masters.com) on 13 July 2015.

For further information contact John Hildreth at the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence on Tel:  01740 625 541 and Email: John.Hildreth@sacatapultcoe.org