SPRINT - funding and academic support for space related SME projects

SPRINT provides SMEs with funding and access to the expertise in the UK’s top space universities. Applications open all year round.

SPRINT is the SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology, a unique partnership of top UK space universities, industry, government agencies and the investment community dedicated to supporting the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK though the commercial exploitation of space data and technologies.

SPRINT provides SMEs unprecedented funded access to the expertise (people, knowledge, facilities, applications, technologies and training) in the UK’s top space  universities to support the development of new products and services enabled through space for their core markets. Through its partners, SPRINT connects with the UK’s space innovation ecosystem helping SMEs (in any stage of their growth journey) find the technical and business support they need to take their business to the next level. SPRINT is delivered by the University of Leicester, University of Edinburgh, the Open University, University of Southampton and the University of Surrey.

Technologies developed for space, and the data that is beamed back to Earth from satellites in orbit can have profound effects and benefits for products and services destined for other sectors. From agriculture to tourism, financial services to healthcare, space data and technologies can play their part in enabling innovation in the non-space sectors and SPRINT university partners have decades of experience in supporting these cross-sectoral initiatives.

Funding available

SPRINT provides Innovation Vouchers to help fund collaborative projects between your company and the SPRINT university partner(s). These projects can enable you to exploit space technologies and data in a wide range of commercial activities including (but not limited to):

• Space products / technologies in the space sector
• Space technologies and data deployed in non-space markets and applications
• Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and non-space technologies deployed in space markets
• SPRINT Innovation Vouchers can also be used to support feasibility studies, business planning, market analysis and other non-technical activities vital in product development cycle.

You can apply for up to £100k to help enable your collaborative project. SPRINT funds the university’s costs in delivering the collaborative project whilst your company funds your own costs. For any collaborative project to be funded by a SPRINT Innovation Voucher the company is expected to contribute at least 40% of the total combined costs of delivering the project whilst SPRINT funds up to 60% of the project costs.

To find out more about SPRINT, visit their website.

SPRINT also run a series of events related to space and technology funding: for a complete list, click here. Upcoming events include Satuccino, a monthly networking event held in Harwell for individuals or organisations who use satellite technology or data (next event 4th September after a summer break), and the Space2Connect 2020, the only event of its kind to bring the Space Applications sector together under one roof to network and connect across the community.