Guidance

Unlocking Space for Investment - overview

Updated 19 December 2023

1. Unlocking Space for Investment

Unlocking Space for Investment is a pilot initiative, backed by the UK Space Agency, that aims to catalyse private sector investment to support the growth of the UK space sector.​ The programme seeks to increase private investor awareness and understanding of investment opportunities across the space economy through the delivery of 2 pathways: the Investor Pathway and Business Pathway.   

Each pathway will offer tailored support to successful applicants, including learning content, masterclasses, networking and pitching opportunities. The programme overall seeks to create long-term, meaningful partnerships between the UK Space Agency, investors, and companies.

2. Investor Pathway overview

The Investor Pathway programme is dedicated to supporting private investors seeking to capitalise on the nascent UK space sector and leverage existing government investment. The programme will encourage investment in the sector by sharing knowledge and empowering investors, particularly those considering their first venture into space investment.

The Investor Pathway will grant investors access to:

• knowledge sharing: a 6-week flexible online course tailored for investors moving into the space sector
• pitch day: invitation to an exclusive pitch day hosted by the UK Space Agency, in coordination with the parallel pathway for space businesses
• community: exclusive access to deal-flow backed by UK Space Agency investment, invitation to industry events and opportunities to form investment partnerships with pathway members and the UK Space Agency

2.1 Important information for investors:

• Unlocking Space for Investment: Investor Pathway is a pilot programme which is expected to run until March 2024. As a new pilot programme, continuous learning and feedback is encouraged from participants
• investors onboarded will gain opportunities for partnership with businesses that are part of the parallel ‘Unlocking Space for Investment: Business Pathway’, which targets businesses in the space industry ready for Series A, B and above levels of investment
• the Investor Pathway online course will be predominantly self-paced and delivered via an online portal. The course will require no more than 2 hours of time dedication by investors each week
• the first cohort will run from 20 November until 22 December 2023
• the second cohort is expected to run from 22 January until 1 March 2024

2.2 Register your interest

Are you an investor who has experience in investing in adjacent science and technology sectors but whom may not have may not have a strong understanding of the space sector or may not be confident in taking their first steps towards investing in space?

Register your interest in Unlocking Space for Investment: Investor Pathway.

Unlocking Space for Investment: Investment Pathway

3. Business pathway overview

The Business pathway will offer tailored content and focused interventions to support space sector businesses to get investor ready, helping to bridge the valley of death in reaching the growth stage (Series A+). We will look to:

• demystify the world of institutional investment through an understanding of the different types of investor and what they care about
• give the opportunity to get hands on with commercial and financial investment advisers from early stage through to late stage transactions helping to frame your investment opportunity and addressable market size
• provide appropriate materials, skills and coaching to generate the right investment content to support due diligence and the investor engagement process
• offer experience pitching to investors through Dragons Den style events allowing valuable feedback to be shared to support you along your investment process

3.1 Important information for business

We have now filled cohort 1 and so applications for this cohort are now closed. Cohort 2 applications are now open and will be reviewed as they come in.

Key Details of the Business Pathway:

• the Unlocking Space for Investment: Business Pathway is a pilot programme which is expected to run until March 2024
• the Business Pathway programme is targeting businesses looking to raise Series A, B and above levels of investment
• we will run two cohorts within the Business Pathway
  • the first cohort started on 18 December 2023, and runs until 26 January 2024
  • the second cohort is expected to run from 5 February until 15 March 2024
• the Business Pathway will be delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person learning interventions and will utilise a central digital portal to house all content for the learning curriculum
  • the businesses are expected to give 3 to 5 hours a week for the 6-week programme, with the option to attend 1.5 hours of coaching in addition over the 6-week period

3.2 Register your interest

We encourage businesses who are operating in the space sector and looking to raise capital as part of a Series A, B or higher funding round. This programme is for you if you would like dedicated support in better understanding the investment process and creating the right materials and messaging to help better your chances of securing institutional investment.

Our application process is now open for cohort 2. Cohort 1 is now full. Apply for the Business Pathway Programme.

4. Other Opportunities

If you are an earlier stage investor you might be interested in our Fusion: Connect with Capital pilot, which will connect you with businesses looking to raise around £1 million in pre and seed rounds. Register your interest in Fusion: Connect with Capital by contacting hello@ukspaceaccelerator.co.uk.

If you’re an investor looking to meet innovative space SMEs, or vice versa, then you can register as a delegate for one of the Agency’s Space Investment Forum networking events. The next Space Investment Forums will take place on Tuesday 30 January at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and Tuesday 26 March at the Nexus in Leeds.