A “Design to Deliver” programme has been launched to support companies using space-enabled data and services for the benefit of the environment. This would be to generate information that is “trusted and actionable” and fuel “responsible behaviours towards nature”.

Design to Deliver programme using space data for regenerating nature 

For example, this could involve applications involving Earth Observation, satcoms, or sensing, whether for IoT or the use of drones, etc.

Design to Deliver involves a collaboration between three UK Catapult centres: Connected Places Catapult, Digital Catapult and Satellite Applications Catapult. It has also been developed in collaboration with and funded by Innovate UK.

Up to £50,000 is being available to entrant to develop systems alongside a trial proposal. Selected projects will also benefit from design consultancy support, say the catapults. And also expert business advice and access to a dedicated location partner.

Design to Deliver
The organisers write:

“The scale and quality of commercially available space-enabled data and services has risen exponentially in the past decade, driven largely by new satellites being launched, new services being available and more advanced technologies being developed. The resulting volume of already very technical datasets makes them even more complex and difficult to comprehend and action or combine with other technologies.”

Catapults

The structure of the programme is that each Catapult has set a challenge in their respective industries, linked by the theme of regenerating nature. Suggested approaches include Biodiversity Recovery, Land Management and Agriculture, and Community Commitments.

Four SME-led projects will be selected per challenge, with each SME receiving up to £50,000 to develop a proposed trial plan. Each project will also receive support from a specialised design consultancy, the respective Catapult’s technical team and a location partner.

Companies can register online and you need to visit spaceenterprise.uk to register.

Deadlines
The deadline for companies to enter is 25 October 2024. Following this, a shortlist will be drawn up at the end of November.

Interviews will then commence 2-6 December, with the programme starting in earnest – with the selected applications – on 6 January.

Finally, the Design to Deliver programme end will end 31 March 2025