£102 million raised in five years by UK Space Agency Accelerator founders, highlighting the strength of the UK's growing space ecosystem.
The UK's space sector continues to be one of the country's fastest-growing innovation ecosystems, with ambitious founders developing technologies that are transforming industries ranging from climate monitoring and connectivity to healthcare and advanced manufacturing. However, behind every successful venture lies a journey of commercialisation, collaboration and resilience.
The latest Impact Report from the UK Space Agency Accelerator, Seeds of Scale explores these journeys, bringing together founder stories, programme insights and impact data to showcase the experiences and progress of early-stage ventures following their participation in the programme, and their journey towards becoming investable businesses.
Based on self-reported data from participating businesses, ventures supported by the UK Space Agency Accelerator have secured more than £102 million in funding, created 220 jobs and established commercial partnerships across the UK and internationally. Together, these outcomes demonstrate the growing contribution that innovative space businesses are making to the UK economy and the wider space ecosystem.
Key findings from the UK Space Agency Accelerator's Seeds of Scale Impact Report.
Commenting on the report, Rebecca Evernden, Director at the UK Space Agency, said:
“I’m delighted to mark the publication of the UK Space Agency Accelerator Impact Report 2026 — and to celebrate a landmark achievement: Alumni of the programme have collectively raised over £100 million following participation in the programme. Over the last five years, every £1 invested in delivery of the Accelerator has been associated with £29 of funding raised by participating businesses. That is an extraordinary return, and exactly the kind of commercial success we need to see more of.
The UK space sector attracted more private investment than any country other than the USA over the last decade. The Accelerator is a significant part of that story. These businesses are advancing solutions in agriculture, defence, maritime, climate and manufacturing — contributing to the way we grow food, protect our nation and safeguard our planet. This is precisely the kind of innovation that underpins the Government’s ambition for the UK to become a competitive, agile space power.
But the Accelerator’s success is about more than capital raised. It is about people. It enables founders to thrive, builds lasting connections, and cultivates a vibrant community that is greater than the sum of its parts. Our open grant funding has made the UK one of the best places in the world to start a space business — and the Accelerator sits at the heart of that offer. We measure our impact not only in investment and innovation, but in the lives and opportunities this remarkable community continues to transform.”
At the heart of the UK Space Agency Accelerator is an approach centred on three interconnected levers: mindset, ecosystem and funding. By helping founders develop the confidence and resilience to lead ambitious ventures, connecting them with mentors, partners and industry networks, and strengthening their investment readiness, the programme creates the conditions for long-term commercial success. Seeds of Scale explores how these elements work together to plant the foundations for sustainable, scalable growth, nurturing the early conditions that enable founders, their ventures and the wider space sector to flourish.
Alongside the programme's data, Seeds of Scale shares the experiences of high-potential founders from across the UK Space Agency Accelerator, highlighting how tailored business support, mentoring and industry connections have helped ambitious ventures navigate the journey from innovation to commercial growth.
Emanuele Zanchettin, Founder at THINKITTECH, said:
“At the beginning, as an engineer, I thought the biggest risks were purely technical, but I quickly realised that wasn’t the case. My mindset has completely evolved. Instead of jumping straight into development, I’ve learned to think more strategically, focusing on credibility, validation, and how to position the platform in a more mature environment. Being part of the right ecosystem has also been key. It gives you the insight to move in a smarter, more considered way, rather than simply following the usual approach.”
Jodie Faitakis, COO at E-Spark, main delivery partner of the UK Space Agency Accelerator, said:
"The success celebrated in Seeds of Scale reflects the power of entrepreneurial mindset as much as it does investment. Building a business takes more than a great idea - it demands resilience, adaptability, curiosity and the confidence to keep moving forward in the face of uncertainty. At E-Spark we've seen those qualities time and again from the founders who have come through the Accelerator. We've also seen how important it is to surround high-potential entrepreneurs with the right ecosystem - connecting them with experienced mentors and experts who can challenge their thinking, open doors and accelerate their progress. Raising more than £100 million is a remarkable milestone, but what makes me most proud is seeing these entrepreneurs grow as leaders, build world-class businesses and create innovations that will shape the future of the UK space sector. Their achievements show what can happen when talented founders are given the right support to realise their ambition."
As the UK space sector continues to grow, supporting innovative founders to commercialise new technologies will remain essential to maintaining the UK's position as a global leader in space innovation. Seeds of Scale not only reflects on the achievements of the Accelerator to date, but also on the opportunities that lie ahead as the next generation of space ventures continues to emerge.
Read Seeds of Scale and discover the stories, insights and impact behind the UK Space Agency Accelerator.
About the UK Space Agency Accelerator
The UK Space Agency Accelerator exists to drive growth in the UK space sector by helping ambitious founders build resilient, commercially successful businesses. Supporting high-growth space ventures from pre-seed and pre-revenue through to Series A, the programme provides targeted support to help founders navigate the challenges of commercialisation and achieve long-term success.