RFI: How can UKSA better catalyse investment into the UK space sector

Descriptions

The UK Space Agency inspires and leads the UK in space, to benefit our planet and its people. By Catalysing Investment into the UK Space Sector, UKSA will support the delivery of the National Space Strategy, with the aim of maximising the value of contracts and capital flowing into the space sector (our "North Star") and closing the investment gap with comparable space nations. To catalyse investment into the space sector, UKSA will use its funding to multiply the value of non-government contracts and private capital secured by UK space organisations to maximise the sector's long-term growth, including through a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward technologies and applications. Feedback from the UK space sector and investors indicates that UKSA might do more to catalyse private investment into the sector. Some potential barriers to investment identified include: - A shortage of early-stage and growth capital for firms. - A perception by some investors that all space investments are high-risk, long term, unprofitable, and capital intensive. - Public funding focused on technology development rather than growing profitable businesses. In response, UKSA is looking to ensure that the funding it offers is accessible, attractive to investors and helps increase investment into the space sector. This Request for Information seeks to establish what alternative funding models might be attractive to firms and private investors in the space sector and whether we can improve how we offer our existing innovation funding. To respond, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/bgmh9PzZAk This questionnaire is also available as a word document, as attached. If you require a more accessible version (e.g., PDF) please contact strategy@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. Submissions of word documents should be returned to strategy@ukspaceagency.gov.uk with 'Cat Inv-RFI' as the subject line. An email confirmation of receipt from UKSA will be sent within a one-week period to the designated point of contact. The deadline for responses is 16:00 on 28 November 2022.