Trajectory, Edinburgh 2023
The Week of the 15th of May was an exciting week for the UK Space Agency Accelerator Team. We launched our Leo and Geo programmes, as well as our first ever exclusive Trajectory event.
Our Leo and Geo programmes were launched with a big bang with fantastic cohorts of entrepreneurs looking to scale their space businesses using the support and guidance from the UK Space Agency Accelerator. We were also really pleased that several entrepreneurs on current programmes and alumni joined us in Edinburgh at Trajectory.
The aim of Trajectory is to enable entrepreneurs within the UK Space Agency Accelerator community to discover opportunities in the wider ecosystem, including customers, suppliers and investors. Trajectory also aims to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of the space start-up ecosystem to regional businesses, investors and public sector stakeholders.
The Event
We held our first Trajectory at Edinburgh Napier University in the infamous ‘Egg’ shaped building (although we like to think it looks more like a spaceship) thanks to our event sponsor The Cyber Academy. The event started with entrepreneurs and the regional eco-system networking before heading into the ‘Egg’ or as it’s actually named, the Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, to hear from Entrepreneurial Spark’s CEO, Mike Stephens, UK Space Agency’s Portia Bircher and Space Scotland’s Dr Hina Khan.
The passion for the space industry was palpable throughout as the speakers discussed support and guidance for those starting up in the space sector. It was also fantastic to hear from Dr Hina Khan, Executive Director at Space Scotland, on the growth of the sector in Scotland but also the support available to budding entrepreneurs.
After the keynote speeches, we headed into two sessions. The first session was run by Joel Freedman and Christopher Hughes on the Space Enterprise Eco-System, and about what is available to entrepreneurs across the UK. The second session, Speed Networking, was run by Catherine Jones from the UK Space Agency Accelerator Team.
It was clear that everyone was desperate to meet the right person who could help them and grow their network – even with a gong, we couldn’t get people out the room!
Time to Pitch!
It was then competition time! Five entrepreneurs were challenged to pitch their business in 60 seconds to a fantastic panel of judges with the chance to win a 1:1 session with Craig Brown, Director of Investment at the UK Space Agency.
All five entrepreneurs did an amazing job but Ashley Johnson from Applied Atomics took it to the next level and wowed the audience and judging panel. Congratulations to Ashley (but also a special mention to Neil Buchanan from Lodestar Space who came in runner up!)
Our Guest Speaker
Peter Mendham, Founder and CEO of Bright Ascensions, joined us to talk about how he built his business in the sector, sharing stories of the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur – a truly inspirational story. The entrepreneurs and other attendees couldn’t get enough of Peter and had so many questions that he couldn’t escape!
The event surpassed its aims, ensuring that everyone left inspired and having expanded their networks. It was an unforgettable journey of discovery, inspiration, and meaningful connections - a transformative experience that will be cherished as a treasured memory.
Watch our Trajectory video to uncover the experience of the event
If you are an space entrepreneur looking to start your space journey and wish to take part in the Trajectory events, applications for the next UK Space Agency Accelerator Explore cohort are open until the 25th of August. Apply here.