Geospatial Funding and Engagement Opportunities - November 2020

KTN connects SMEs to open funding and engagement opportunities. These can be challenging to find so here is a summary of the opportunities in the sector for the months to come.

To stay abreast of the opportunities, I strongly recommend you sign up to all relevant newsletters at https://ktn-uk.co.uk/newsletter. Particularly, follow KTN Geospatial Insights for more information on geospatial opportunities and how we can help your business grow and achieve impact.

Kudos to Gemma Wilson, Regional Growth Manager at SA Catapult, for putting most of this resource together. 

Space2Waves, a new European Funded project, Extended deadline! 16 December 2020. This is a Call of Interest to support SMEs with earth observation products and services sector to grow their business internationally in the blue growth arena. The Space2Waves Internationalisation Programme will assist up to 30 European SMEs to develop business opportunities for earth observation technologies, products and services in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The support package will include workshops focusing on space and blue growth markets and opportunities as well as individual coaching sessions and the opportunity to take part in 3-5 day matchmaking missions in the identified countries with up to €1250 in travel support (or equivalent, subject to travel restrictions in force). SMEs with innovative earth observation technologies that can be used in the marine and maritime sectors in areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, EEZ surveillance, climate change, port infrastructure and maritime transport are advised to sign up quickly to the programme.

Geospatial Commission outlines actions to boost UK’s geospatial ecosystem. The Geospatial Commission has published a report setting out actions to nurture the UK’s location data ecosystem. In the ‘Enhancing the UK’s Geospatial Ecosystem’report, the commission outlines areas for action to nurture the growing UK geospatial economy and is based on the findings of an independent research study by Frontier Economics into the state of the location data market in the UK, which is also available to download.

If you have missed out on the #ThePowerOfPlace webinar series. Recordings are available here https://tinyurl.com/yxs69ngm.

Luca Budello, Geospatial Insights Innovation Network manager at KTN has recently gave a Keynote to 1Spatial conference Smarter Data, Smarter World [#SDSW20] on the need to acquire a Mission-led Innovation framework to resolve the many challenges we are facing in society. Of course with the use of Geospatial Insights. A recording of the talk is available here https://tinyurl.com/y5vvrq7p.

The UK Hydrographic Office #UKHO announces the release of the Seabed Mapping Service. The Beta Seabed Mapping Service now available on the ADMIRALTY Marine Data Portal. The portal is a curated database a wide range of marine data sets ranging from the seabed to the coast, offshore and beyond. This includes extensive data on bathymetry, wrecks and obstructions, along with a range of apps and APIs, to enable users to help inform a wide range of decisions to support a safe, secure and thriving future for the blue economy.

Congratulations to the #Sat4Wildlife consortium to secure ￡3.4 million funding from the UK Space Agency International Partnership Programme. Led by Fauna & Flora International and #WILDLABS, the project is a partnership between the Satellite Applications Catapult, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the #Arribada Initiative and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, to use satellite-enabled technologies in the effort to help halt the loss of #Kenya’s #biodiversity, reduce degradation of habitats and conserve local livelihoods which depend on them. find out more here https://ow.ly/Jy2U50Cqk4g.

UK Space Agency Webinar: COVID-19 Recovery and UK/EU Transition. 30 November at 15.30. Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic and EU/UK transition is impacting businesses across the space sector and what support is available.

Satellite Technology Addressing Social Challenges in Mining. 1st December at 10.00. In collaboration with Satellite Applications Catapult and MineSense on 1st of December South West Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications are holding a webinar where social specialists from academia, space and the mining industries will discuss the social challenges and potential of space technology to tackle these incredibly important and universal challenges. Register here https://tinyurl.com/y4359g8b.

Satuccino. 2 December at 14.30. Monthly event by the Satellite Application Catapult useful for Earth Observation companies and those who want to engage with the space sector. Register Here https://sa.catapult.org.uk/events/december-satuccino-2020/.

Webinar: Digital Health in Developing Economies. Dec 1, 2020, 1400 GMT. ESA has established cooperation with AXA One Health and Wish Foundation India to accelerate sustainable innovation through space data and technology and advance the provision of seamless and sustainable healthcare in developing economies. As first step of this cooperation, ESA is launching a new Invitation to Tender for a Feasibility Study to assess the technical feasibility and commercial viability of space-based services and solutions in the area of digital health for developing health ecosystems and reduce the technical and commercial risks for their implementation and operation.

Shaping the Future of Science #AGU20 is scheduled from 1-17 December to accommodate over a thousand hours of virtual content to minimize conflicts while maximizing global engagement. Scientific program content will be available on-demand, with pre-recorded oral presentations and virtual posters available for attendees to view and peruse outside of the scheduled live Q&A sessions during the meeting.

Seraphim Space Camp - Investor showcase. 1 December at 15.00. The live-streamed virtual event is an excellent opportunity to understand the latest emerging technologies we are seeing in the sector and stay up-to-date with the rapidly growing global VC SpaceTech sector. We will be introducing you to the latest cutting-edge SpaceTech companies from our Mission 6 programme. There will also be a series of short elevator pitches delivered by a range of the Seraphim Space Camp alumni companies and the Seraphim Space Fund investment portfolio that are actively fundraising. For more information, please get in touch via [email protected].

5G for content and acquisition. 2 December at 1400 GMT. Cambridge Wireless brings to you a session for those interested in the potential of 5G for content creation and production and will explore the how the 5G ecosystem could enhance opportunity, flexibility in the creation environment and the roadmap to arrive there with presentations from BBC Research & Development and European Broadcasting Union. Register here https://tinyurl.com/y3h3vugk.

The UFO - Emerging Industries New Value Chains Horizon 2020 programme has kicked off proceeding with funding available for European SMEs in developing innovative products and services by integrating new technological solutions and know-how provided by the combination of innovative Small Flying Objects (SFOs: drones, high altitude platforms systems, small satellites), embedded nano and digital technologies, Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), data analysis and exploitation solutions. You can watch the recording of the opening session highlighting details on funding opportunities for SMEs here https://tinyurl.com/y3emox5k. Registration for the upcoming Ideation sessions (December 03 and 07) for interested startups can be found here https://tinyurl.com/y4724gqt.

Space for All - Harnessing the power of Geospatial Data in Immersive Technology and Gaming Development’ virtual event. The webinar will take place on Thursday 10 December 10am-12pm, and will explore to what extent geospatial and immersive technologies can overlap and bring added value.This event represents the first of its kind in bringing together those key sectors for the exploration of collaboration opportunities in greater detail. In this context, both Enterprise M3 LEP, the @KTN, and @ImmerseUK identified an opportunity to bring together the collective geospatial, gaming and immersive UK communities, and showcase some of their latest developments.

SpaceCakes - 10 years of the ESA BIC UK. 10 December 2020 13:45 GMT. Join ESA to celebrate 10 years of the ESA BIC UK at the special December edition of SpaceCakes. Register here https://tinyurl.com/y2bc98vf.

Several funding competitions are available on KTN website. Search for opportuniites here https://ktn-uk.org/opportunities/.

Horizon 2020 UFO Programme. Join KTN and a consortium of EU partners to the ideeation session on December 3 or 7 depending on sector of interest. Register here https://tinyurl.com/y4724gqt. The UFO Project is dedicated to supporting European SMEs in developing innovative products and services by integrating new technological solutions and know-how provided by the combination of innovative Small Flying Objects (SFOs: #drones, #highaltitudeplatforms systems, #smallsatellites), embedded nano and digital technologies, Key Enabling Technologies (#KETs), data analysis and exploitation solutions. €3m of funding are available for SMEs. We are focussing on the following key market sectors: #BlueGrowth, #Climate, #Creative / #Digital and #Gaming, #Environment, #Finance & #Insurance and #Mobility. Find out more below or go to our website: www.ufoproject.eu.

Several funding competitions are available on Innovation Funding Service portal. Search for opportuniites here https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search.

UKRI open call for research and innovation ideas to address Covid-19. Closes 1 April 2021. Proposals invited for short term projects addressing and mitigating the health, social, economic and environmental impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Covid-19 Rapid Response Rolling Call. Closes 1 April 2021. A rolling call for proposals for rapid research into Covid-19: proposals reviewed within 4 weeks. For UK-led academic, SME and wider industry research.

Prize for 'European low-cost space launch'. Closes 1 June 2021. €10 million prize for projects developing a European solution for launching light satellites into Low-Earth Orbit.

 Innovation Continuity Loans. Closes 13 January. Innovate UK can provide additional COVID-19 innovation continuity loans for the continuation of planned or existing innovation activity.

5G enabled road and rail transport trials in the West Midlands, round 2. Closes 2 December. West Midlands 5G (WM5G) will work in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) through Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).Together they will invest up to ￡2.5 million in innovation projects that develop a new service or product. These must improve road and rail operational efficiency, provide better-connected transport or improve traveller experience. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will manage the competition process.

Space and 5G Convergence. Transport and Logistics. Closes on 15 December. Watch the Webinar for more information on how to apply.

Space Applications to Advance Innovation on Circular Cities. Closes on 15 January 2021. Tenderers are invited to propose a feasibility study addressing one of the following domains: Public transport transition towards zero carbon emissions and service optimization and/or Dynamic mapping system of infrastructures

Prevent and Protect Food and Beverage Fraud. Closes on 19 January 2021. The prevention and detection of food fraud is not only an important ethical matter, it is an issue which impacts the global economy as well as the health of the citizens. 

Space4Rail. Closes 31 Dec 2022. ESA #spacesolutions #Space4Rail Open Call aims to support the exploitation of space-based assets (satellite navigation, satellite communications and/or Earth observation) in innovative and sustainable applications/services.

Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) Open call. The Open Call is looking for innovative ideas to improve the defence and security of the UK. Your idea could be a concept, product or service, at various levels of maturity.

Frontiers Coronavirus Funding Monitor. A curated list of open funding calls and other support for researchers, non-profit organisations and commercial organisations, specifically for COVID-19 and coronavirus-related research. This website is updated daily.

Invest Northern Ireland’s ￡5K innovation Voucher’s for business’ can now be used with the Satellite Applications Catapult as a recognised Knowledge Provider. Typical Support includes helping to create or improve products, services or processes, access to specialist expertise in new materials, tapping into research and scientific expertise.