Tech Start-up develops high flying Delivery Option

"With the UK representing an important part of our journey, the ESA BIC network has grown to 23 ESA BICs, supporting entrepreneurs all over ESA member states to bring space as a business solution to the market." Niels Eldering

Vital medical supplies such as blood, vaccines and organs needing urgent delivery could soon take flight using the UK’s first autonomous drone network being developed by Skyfarer, - the 100th company to join the world’s largest space innovation network for technology start-ups.

Since 2010, these 100 start-ups have joined the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre UK (ESA BIC UK), using space and satellite technologies to develop new and innovative products and services.

Celebrating the 100 participant mark, the Science and Technology Facilities Council reports that these businesses have since;

• raised over £86 million in investment (Beauhurst)
• filed 12 patents in 2020 alone
• had an 89% survival rate, despite the uncertainties of the last 18 months.

As well as the real potential for saving lives and supporting the NHS, Skyfarer’s drone service would also have the benefits of bringing reductions in transport times, road congestion and CO2 emissions, as well as potential use in other businesses and organisations to streamline logistics operations,

Tailored Support Package

The ESA BIC UK, managed and partly funded by STF, in collaboration with ESA Space Solution, UK Space Agency and the University of Leicester, provides start-ups with a 12 to 24 month support package to help them develop their game-changing products and services in a strongly competitive and global marketplace.

Skyfarer, focused on developing and enhancing the software and navigation system behind its autonomous drone delivery platform, will use live ESA earth observation satellites to access key weather and positioning data.

Elliot Parnham, Founder and CEO at Skyfarer, said: "Making drone delivery possible is an audacious challenge and one that requires collaboration and expertise in various areas to realise the vision.

"Being accepted into the ESA BIC UK at Leicester is not only an achievement for Skyfarer, a company four years in the making that has persevered through multiple challenges and pivots, but an exciting opportunity to realise the vision of autonomous drone delivery of medical supplies.

"We are honoured to be the 100th company to be accepted into the ESA BIC UK and we are looking forward to the journey ahead during our incubation at Space Park Leicester."

Connected space network

ESA BIC UK, which can provide up to 15 companies a year with access to funding and support of STFC’s facilities at the Harwell Campus Oxford; Sci-Tech Daresbury in the Liverpool City Region; the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh; and the University of Leicester’s new Space Park, is part of the ESA Space Solutions network.

Niels Eldering, Head of the ESA Space Solutions Section, said:  "With the UK representing an important part of our journey, the ESA BIC network has grown to 23 ESA BICs, supporting entrepreneurs all over ESA member states to bring space as a business solution to the market.

"Reaching this milestone is so crucial to show that we are continuing to support our entrepreneurs, who are transforming their promising ideas into successful products and services, creating jobs and prosperity.

"The UK is setting a clear example of this commitment to the entrepreneurial community.”

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