Partnership with Sustainable Alpha to open up investment opportunities for space sector
Partnership aims to position Scotland as a global leader in space innovation and funding, providing comprehensive investment solutions
New collaboration to develop global investment opportunities for early-stage and growing space tech businesses and investors
Scottish space sector is projected to secure a £4bn share of the global market and create over 12,000 new jobs by 2030
The Scottish Space Network has announced a strategic partnership with New York-based Sustainable Alpha to open up investment opportunities for the Scottish, UK and international space sectors. In what marks a first for the Scottish space sector, the col-laboration will initially focus on identifying the funding needs of the fast-growing industry and developing a comprehensive investment strategy. The partnership will also look to secure opportunities for the global investment community to invest in leading early-stage and scaling space tech businesses.
The overall aim of the initiative is to ensure that Scotland reaches its potential to offer a full end-to-end service, unlocking alliances and new markets. The partnership will also provide business support for early-stage space startups, helping to establish companies that can de-liver long-term growth, scale, and economic and societal impact, while adding training and skills development to bring more talent into the space industry.
The Scottish space sector is expected to grow substantially, with revenue projected to reach £4bn within the next six years and the creation of over 12,000 new jobs by 2030, taking the national headcount to approximately 20,000.
Dr Andy Campbell, founder of the Scottish Space Network, stated: "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to position Scotland as a global leader in space innovation and funding. By combining our deep understanding of the local space ecosystem with Sustainable Alpha's extensive investment network and expertise in venture capital, we are committed to securing investment solutions that will drive technological advancements and economic growth in the sector in Scotland and globally."
Ross Hamilton, founder of Sustainable Alpha, said: "We are excited to collaborate with the Scottish Space Network to drive investment opportunities for the Scottish space sector. The global space supply chain is evolving and innovating quickly, so it’s imperative that we look across the UK, Europe and internationally to understand the best-in-class solutions and where Scottish companies can be world-class leaders in the global ecosystem.”
Recent activity within the Scottish tech sector indicates substantial growth in venture capital investment, underscoring the country’s attractiveness to investors. Scotland has also been recognised as one of the top locations worldwide for space industry investment due to comparatively low set-up costs, its skilled workforce, and world-class universities contributing to cutting-edge research and innovation.
Illustrating the range of recent investment being made in Scottish space tech startups and scaleups, in April 2024, UK rocket manufacturer Orbex, based in Forres, Moray, secured £16.7m in Series C funding from six backers, including the Scottish National Investment Bank. Additionally, Edinburgh-based Aurora Avionics received over £320,000 in investment from Gabriel Investment Syndicate and Scottish Enterprise in May 2024.
Ross Hamilton added: “Published in 2021, The Scottish Government’s Global Capital Investment Plan, is already building connections with financial centres around the world, further solidifying Scotland's position in the international space economy.”
Andy Campbell added: “The partnership is the first of several key collaborations that the Scottish Space Network will announce to drive support for the sector. We invite Scottish companies within or looking to enter the space sector to share their future investment requirements with us, enabling us to tailor our support and meet the sector's needs effectively.”
For further information, please contact:
Scottish Space Network
Dr Andy Campbell
andy@scottishspace.net
+44 (0)7973 286 432
www.scottishspace.net
Sustainable Alpha
Ross Hamilton
ross@sustainablealpha.ai
+1 646 331 4014
About Scottish Space Network
Established in 2023, The Scottish Space Network is dedicated to connecting and supporting individuals and companies within the Scottish space sector. It promotes collaboration, inclusivity and innovation, aiming to attract talent and investment to drive scientific and economic prosperity.
About Sustainable Alpha
Sustainable Alpha specialises in venture culture diagnostics, helping investors, accelerators, and ecosystem builders enhance organisational effectiveness and financial performance through a focus on human capital and culture.
