European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Broker UK
TWI has been appointed as the official ESA Technology Broker for the UK. This role incorporates two aspects; technology brokerage and a ‘prepare for space’ initiative. The technology brokerage involves promotion and support for cross sector activities between space and non-space sector entities. This includes match-making between interested organisations to build an ecosystem to fuel mutual growth and technical innovation that delivers tangible outcomes. This collaborative effort includes leveraging space technologies for terrestrial applications and offering routes for non-space organisations to enter the space industry.
The new space race - A new commercialisation approach at ESA
This is supported by the ‘prepare for space’ initiative that will deliver a technology transfer programme for non-space organisations to secure technical and business support to ease their entry into the space industry. This includes business case development training, supply chain understanding and routes to source funding. There will also be on-boarding for non-space organisations into ESA programmes and access to information and training on ESA opportunities, technology transfer and calls.
The official ESA UK technology broker website includes open calls and technology transfer competitions designed to accelerate technology integration and product development, with TWI acting as an intermediary to help advance collaboration between the space and non-space industries.
Technology Brokers use both market pull and technology push to find the best solution to a problem. Acting as part of the regional and national innovation ecosystems of their countries, ESA Technology Brokers ensure a pan-European reach.
Terrestrial-to-Space Collaboration
The space industry is of high strategic and economic value, bringing benefits to terrestrial entities through the creation of innovative services and ground-breaking science.
ESA Technology Brokers help facilitate the exchange of ideas across industry and increase the return of investment in space technologies, while cross pollinating and exploiting space technologies for non-space markets.
Technologies created for the space industry have already found applications in areas including medical devices, sports equipment, quality control, and more, while advances in terrestrial industries can also find application in the space sector.
By uniting knowhow with competencies to meet the needs of both space and non-space companies, all areas will be able to advance at a faster pace.
