Satellite Applications Catapult: Ruthless selection, world-class winners, and executive engineers

How does the Satellite Applications Catapult evaluate and select "high-potential" space ventures? What role does commercial matchmaking, tech validation, and international growth strategy play in scaling startups into global leaders? How can the UK shift from passive R&D grants to an "Olympic-style" industrial policy that goes all-in on world-class space "winners"? What structural changes—such as rapid regulatory approvals, sovereign capital funds, and secure defence gateways—are needed to cut a path through the space growth jungle? Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, about the ruthless selection strategies to unleash businesses with the highest potential for growth. And why this process is worth it, even if you pass on The Beatles. Contributors: Alice Bunn, President of UKspace Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn The Karman Line | LinkedIn John Abbott, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult John Abbott | LinkedIn Satellite Applications Catapult | LinkedIn Key topics covered: Satellite Applications Catapult operating model & impact Evaluating "high-potential" space businesses Open Cosmos, Mag Drive, and UK space scale-ups The three core Catapult missions: Beyond Earth, Autonomous & Connected Earth, Resilient Earth Matchmaking vs. Challenge Accelerating Sovereign space capability & international trust Industrial Strategy: "Picking winners" vs. broad SME support Cross-government alignment, capital growth, and rapid regulation The Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.