SBRI: Unlocking Space for Business Feasibility Study - Phase 1

This is a Small Business Research initiative (SBRI) competition funded by the UK Space Agency

A total of up to £2 million, inclusive of VAT, is allocated to this competition/phase 1.

The Phase 1 feasibility study research and development (R&D) contracts will be up to £200,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 6 months. We expect to fund up to 10 projects. with successful projects beginning in January 2024.

Unlocking Space for Business (USB) is a new programme being delivered by the UK Space Agency to support businesses in the Financial Services and Transport & Logistics sectors to:

• Better understand and prioritise how innovations in satellite data and services, combined with complementary data sources, can drive businesses benefits;

• Connect with leading data suppliers, aggregators, technology integrators and insight providers;

• Apply for Government funding to support the delivery of benefits from satellite data and services, through pilot projects, data procurement or partnerships.

Satellite data and services already underpin over 17% of UK GDP, with innovation continuing to unlock new opportunities for business. Harnessing satellite data and services with complementary data sources can unlock new opportunities for businesses, from revenue growth and operational efficiencies to customer experiences and environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits.

Unlocking Space for Business is now launching a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, offering eligible organisations the chance to apply for a share of up to £2 million, inclusive of VAT,in an initial phase 1 competition to develop commercially viable innovative feasibility studies, that aim to combine terrestrial technologies with satellite data and services, to be adopted by customers in the Transport & Logistics and Financial Services sectors.

Projects will involve one or more of the three types of commercial satellite data and services:

• satellite imagery (earth observation)
• satellite connectivity & communications
• position, navigation & timing (PNT)

Projects will focus on, prioritising:

• new revenue growth opportunities
• improved customer experiences
• operational efficiencies
• environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits

Applications are encouraged from organisations that can combine terrestrial data and services - such as AI, Quantum, machine learning and geospatial data - with satellite data and services, can provide analysis to derive value-added insights, to develop innovative solutions to customers in the UK Transport & Logistics and the Financial Services sectors.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unlocking-space-for-business

Additional information: An supplier engagement event will be hosted by UK Space Agency on 30th November, with the aim of informing potential suppliers about the proposed Unlocking Space for Business Programme competition, including its scope, application process, evaluation criteria and timelines. The event will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to ask questions about the competition.

UKSA encourages attendance from potential applicants that can combine terrestrial data and services with satellite data and services, within the Transport & Logistics and/or Financial Services sectors.

To attend the event and to hear more about upcoming activities, please register via the following link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/97e02d22-eb3e-479f-a958-f41352a35c47@cbac7005-02c1-43eb-b497-e6492d1b2dd8

If you can not attend a recording will be made available after the event to everyone that registered on the above link.

The Unlocking Space for Business Programme held and Early Engagement Webinar for this opportunity which is available at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sLu07OclIM