SPRINT Space Sector Update and Speed Networking Event

This SPRINT event, facilitated by Astroagency Ltd, features a range of speakers including from funding organisations providing information on grant and funding schemes for innovation and commercialisation.

There will also be a ‘speed-dating’ opportunity allowing academic researchers to meet SMEs and commercial entities with a view to creating valuable partnerships.

The Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) research group at Queens University Belfast is hosting the event in the historic Titanic Quarter at the ECIT Building, Queens Road, Queen's Island, Belfast. (There is an option to join remotely via Zoom and engage online via the Brella platform, and this includes the networking).

The event venue is only short taxi ride from Belfast International airport.

Agenda:

09:30 Registration – Main Reception

10:00 Welcome - Prof Maire O’Neill - Director of ECIT Queens University Belfast

10:10 Introduction - Dr Rain Irshad- Head of Programme SPRINT

10:15 Funding Updates - Andy Bennett - Knowledge Transfer Manager for Space - Innovate UK KTN

10:25 Space Industry and Funding Updates - Dr Dmitry Zelenchuk - Research Lead for Space Connectivity Technologies Queens University Belfast In person

10:35 Robert Hutchinson - Business Development Manager - ADS NI (Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space) In person

10:45 Dr Eddie Ross - Knowledge Exchange Manager - Satellite Applications Catapult Remote

10:55 Portia Bircher - Local Growth Manager – Business Support and Growth @ UK Space Agency

11:05 Q&A with speakers

11:15 Coffee Break

11:25 Space Industry and Funding Updates Stephen Peel - Advanced Concepts Team - Thales Alenia Space

11:35 Nicola Musgrove - Business Development Manager - European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) @Leicester

11:40 Paul Bhatia - Regional Ambassador for the Midlands and North East - ESA

11:50 Joe Ward - CEO - Small Spark Space

12:00 Zainab Qasim - Startup & Venture Lead - Seraphim Space Camp Remote

12:05 Dr Rain Irshad - Head of Programme - SPRINT

12:10 Q&A with the speakers

12:20 Lunch

13:05 ECIT Lab tour with Dr Adrian McKernan - Senior Engineer, ECIT - Queens University Belfast (in person only)

13:50 Comfort Break

14:00 Speed Networking on Brella

15:30 Final Q&A with speakers

15:50 Closing remarks Nicola Musgrove - Business Development Manager - European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) @Leicester

16:00 Close

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A Pre-Event Dinner @7.30pm will be held on Thursday 23rd June . If you would like to attend, please notify us as part of the registration process. SPRINT will cover the cost of the meal, but delegates are to pay for their own drinks. Please ensure you notify us of any special requirements you may have.

About ECIT & the Venue:

In 2008 the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) was chosen to host one of only seven UK Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs). Funded by EPSRC and Technology Strategy Board, IKCs are a key component of the UK's approach to the commercialisation of emerging technologies through creating early stage critical mass in an area of disruptive technology.

Based in the Titanic Quarter, Belfast, ECIT, the institute for Electronics, Communications and Information Technology has helped in the attraction of over 100 high-tech Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and start-up companies. It hosts three research centres, namely the Centre for Wireless Innovation, the Centre for Data Sciences and Scalable Computing, and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies. These companies employ more than 2,000 people and are evidence of the wider economic benefits to be gained from translating science into wider business and economic opportunity.

It is fitting that just a few yards away is the dry dock where Titanic was built. The innovative engineering skills of yesterday have given way to those of the future

About AstroAgency Ltd

AstroAgency Ltd has established itself as the global leader in space-focused strategic communications and market intelligence, providing innovative organisations with a unique combination of market guidance, public relations, branding, digital marketing, events planning and business development to thrive in the global commercial space sector.

AstroAgency Ltd is headquartered in the UK and works with finance companies and investors, academia, governments, start-ups and commercial companies from across the space value chain, as well as companies wanting to make their way into the space sector.

SPRINT are delighted that AstroAgency Ltd will be supporting the promotion and delivery of this event.

https://astroagency.co.uk/