The UK Space Agency Accelerator provides expert support to early-stage businesses to help catalyse more investment into the UK space sector and generate economic growth.
Building on the success of previous programmes, which helped participants raise over £15 million in private investment and grant funding, the Accelerator has evolved to offer even more targeted, impactful support for UK space businesses and entrepreneurs.
The next cohort of its flagship programmes, Explore and Leo, will launch this summer.
Antonia Yendell, Head of the Space Ecosystem team at the UK Space Agency, said:
"We’re thrilled to continue our Accelerator programme, building on its success to date. Designed to drive the UK’s space and growth ambitions, the UK Space Agency Accelerator supports high-potential businesses, fuels innovation, attracts private investment, and creates high-tech jobs.
“In partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark, we’re committed to advancing early-stage businesses and positioning the UK as a global space leader— paving the way for a future where the benefits of space drive progress and prosperity for all."
Applications are officially open from 27 May to 29 June 2025. Places are limited so early application is strongly advised.
Delivered by Entrepreneurial Spark and a consortium of expert delivery partners, this initiative supports UK-based innovators at key stages of their journey, whether they are already operating in the space sector or developing technologies that make use of space. Through the programmes the UK Space Agency Accelerator supports its participants to develop their entrepreneurial mindset as well as commercial capabilities and provides essential business enhancement opportunities.
The Explore programme is designed for those with a solution applicable to space who want to explore commercial applications and markets. Participants will be pre-proof of concept and may not have a registered business. On this programme, founders get started with a focus on mindset, entrepreneurial foundations, and building entrepreneurial confidence.
The Leo programme is built for entrepreneurs who have established a commercial application for their solution and are post proof of concept. Through the programme founders are supported to take positive action and strengthen their route to market while building the commercial resilience needed to thrive in a competitive sector. Both programmes will run concurrently and begin with an intensive two-day Boot Camp in the week commencing 21 July 2025.
Participants from Explore and Leo will benefit from:
- Expert-led learning – Rapid insight from some of the UK’s leading startup and industry experts, helping businesses sharpen their value proposition, commercial strategy, and technical approach.
- Ecosystem access – Curated connections to investors, industry leaders, and potential customers through virtual networking, regional meetups, and specialist sessions.
- Strategic enablement – Focused 1:1 support to build market readiness, strengthen execution, and translate ambition into action.
Later in the year, the UK Space Agency Accelerator will launch its highly successful Geo and Fusion programmes: Geo, for ready to scale businesses looking to accelerate serious commercial traction; Fusion, an investment readiness and completion programme that will support participants with unequalled access to investors.
The UK Space Agency Accelerator is introducing a brand-new initiative designed to support established businesses in adjacent sectors with solutions applicable to space. This Shuttle programme will support participants to explore the space sector as a new opportunity. Application dates for the Geo, Fusion and Shuttle programmes will be announced soon.
Mike Stephens, CEO of Entrepreneurial Spark, said:
“We are delighted to be announcing this strong set of results and the launch of new programmes with UK Space Agency. The growth of our alumni shows the huge potential that exists in the Space sector, and we’re proud that this includes businesses from every region of the UK – a truly national accelerator. We’re seeing the impact that early-stage intervention can have in mindset, business modelling and commercial strategy, and will continue to evolve our approach with new delivery partners in the next phase of the programme.”
Against a backdrop of £18.9 billion in sector income and a 1,765-strong ecosystem of space organisations, the UK space industry continues to show strong growth potential—particularly in upstream innovation and commercial R&D. With R&D investment reaching £1 billion and employment in high-skill, high-growth roles nearing 52,000, the demand for entrepreneurial capability, funding knowledge, and tech innovation has never been greater. The UK Space Agency Accelerator is answering that call.
The UK Space Agency Accelerator has already helped ventures secure £15 million in investment, with an ambitious £483 million anticipated over the next three years.
- 94% of companies reported improved entrepreneurial mindset.
- 85% of participants reported increased financial literacy and funding knowledge.
- 76% saw a boost in R&D activity, with total R&D investment reaching £11.7 million.
Alongside its financial impact, the accelerator has driven significant personal growth in participants’ business confidence and productivity.
“The Accelerator was critical — we secured our investment from Seraphim Space solely due to our participation.” — Leo Programme participant; UK Space Agency Accelerator
“The Accelerator reshaped our R&D strategy and is now aligned closely with market needs.” — Leo programme participant, UK Space Agency Accelerator
The UK Space Agency Accelerator strives to continuously improve and aims to build on this success in the next year. Based on participant feedback, the programmes have been refined to provide even more targeted support, with increased technical depth and broader in-person engagement.
Applications are open until 29 June 2025 but may close sooner if the cohort fills. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Learn more and apply at: https://ukspaceaccelerator.co.uk/
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