New Space Enterprise Lab opens in County Durham
The Satellite Applications Catapult has opened one of its six brand new Space Enterprise Labs (SEL) in County Durham today.
The Space Enterprise Lab, which will provide users with access to the latest collaborative technology, resources and expertise, has opened at the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence at NETPark in Sedgefield.
The Space Enterprise Labs have been developed in response to the changing needs of organisations to engage and collaborate virtually with organisations beyond their locality. The Satellite Applications Catapult is rolling out a network of Space Enterprise Labs across the UK, including the one at NETPark, to ensure companies can continue to innovate and collaborate effectively and efficiently.
The centre of excellence is one of the three across the UK and is led by Business Durham, the business support service of Durham County Council. Since April 2014, it has engaged with over 670 organisations, establishing links between 277 business and universities, and helping companies secure £9.2M worth of funding.
The centre, which is supported by the Satellite Applications Catapult and UK Space Agency, is focused on using satellite applications to create a safer world, addressing challenges including sustainable living and climate change, security of supply chains and resilience in infrastructure and assets.
Sarah Slaven, Interim Managing Director of Business Durham, said: “We’re delighted that the Satellite Applications Catapult has chosen County Durham as one of the locations of its first Space Enterprise Labs. The North East Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications has gone from strength to strength over the last seven years, and is at the heart of the region’s growing space economy.
“The Centre has been instrumental in championing the regional space sector and forging new partnerships with space and non-space companies, contributing jobs and growth to the UK. We’re now looking forward to building momentum with the new Space Enterprise Lab and the expansion plans for NETPark Phase 3, which will raise the profile of the North East within the wider space network, nationally and beyond.”
The innovative and inclusive services at the Space Enterprise Labs enable the virtual delivery of meetings including hybrid events, seminars, workshops, project meetings, business sprints, user engagement spark sessions and other services such as virtual whiteboards and built-in video conferencing, for everyone within the North East and wider UK space sector to utilise.
Lucy Edge, Chief Operations Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “We are delighted to be launching the Space Enterprise Labs as we continue to support the growth of the space sector across the UK. These unique facilities embrace the new hybrid way in which we all now engage, while also offering a safe and secure environment to foster UK-wide space innovation and discussion. Businesses across the UK will now be able to collaborate across a range of high-tech, high-innovation subjects, to bring ideas and customers together more effectively.”
Filtronic plc, which designs and manufactures products for space markets welcomed the opening of the Space Enterprise Lab, Richard Gibbs, CEO said: “Space is an exciting sector for Filtronic, the skills and capabilities that we have honed for over 40 years are now being applied in a non-terrestrial environment. The Satellite Applications Catapult is important for Filtronic and industry to build a sustainable space enterprise community. We are excited about having a Space Enterprise Lab at NETPark, helping to grow and support the core skills that already exist within the North East”.
The Space Enterprise Lab at NETPark will be hosting three events in October which companies can get involved with, including: Space4Climate on 12th October between 4:00-7:00pm, GNOSIS – Space Sustainability and Sustainability Development Goals on 13th October between 1:00pm – 6:00pm, and the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival which takes place between 18th-21st October.
Find out more about the national network of Space Enterprise Labs at www.sa.catapult.org.uk/sel or email sel@spaceenterprise.uk.
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The North East Technology Park provides a dynamic and supportive environment to accelerate the growth of ambitious, innovative, high tech companies into global markets. NETPark encourages collaborative multidisciplinary links, driving innovation, enterprise and economic prosperity.
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Access to quality facilities was one of the main drivers for deciding to locate the business at the NETPark. We have been able to use this as a launch pad to link into support from CPI and world-class expertise from Durham University.
The quality of the facilities at NETPark and the attitude of staff is first class. It has a really dynamic, innovative atmosphere.
We initially came because of the printable electronics centre but access to a highly skilled semi conductor workforce in the North East has been a key factor in us staying and growing here, as well as the value for money office space and the access to funding.
It fits perfectly for us that we’re surrounded by like-minded companies at NETPark. There are a number of highly skilled people in the area who can help us grow our business. The facilities and services offered by NETPark are first class, they make office life simple and engaging.
CPI has developed a specialist offering to support SMEs looking to develop their printable electronics applications and our partnership with Business Durham has been instrumental in attracting several SMEs to locate here in the region.
The proximity to the universities and the infrastructure are very important factors. Ultimately having a presence in Europe is very valuable to us and we intend to stay at NETPark for many years to come.