Seraphim partners with ESA for space startup support

Author: EIS Release Date: Feb 14, 2023

The Seraphim Space Accelerator – part of Seraphim, the London-based, space-focused VC – is partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA).

 

Seraphim partners with ESA for space startup support

 

The goal is to help the agency identify and support European-based space start-ups, providing access to the global Space Venture Capital market. This area accounted for £8bn of investment in 2022, according to Seraphim.

 

Specifically, the multi-year agreement involves the ESA’s ScaleUp programme, which was launched by the agency last year to uncover promising early-stage companies in Europe. The VC, through its space accelerator, will be providing its expertise as a space investment group – supporting the programme with workshops, mentoring and panel sessions in front of venture capital targets.

 

Seraphim highlights possible support for a company along its life cycle – assisting in the development of the enterprise with business incubation, business acceleration, IP and technology transfer services, and helping scale up products in new markets.

 

“We are delighted to be partnering with the European Space Agency and share its vision to help grow Europe into a global leader within the space sector,” said Rob Desborough, Managing Partner and CEO at Seraphim Space Accelerator.

 

“The Seraphim Space Accelerator has a track record of providing the right expertise and leadership to help companies to achieve their growth potential. Together with the ESA, we can help European space enterprise scale at pace and help solve some of the most pressing issues across the climate, communications, mobility and cyber security industries.”

 

The partnership will be part of the ESA’s strategy of working with investors – the ESA Investor Network – and business accelerators to support early and growth-stage SpaceTech ventures.

 

Luca del Monte, Head of the Commercialisation department of the European Space Agency, commented:

 

“Connecting European space industry with the investors’ community is one of the key strategic goals of the ESA to stimulate the growth of a vibrant and competitive new generation of European space entrepreneurs”.