New Space Enterprise Lab Launches at UCL Alongside UK Space Agency Accelerator Collaboration to Boost Space Entrepreneurship
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A Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) has opened at UCL in IDEALondon, the innovation hub and workspace run by UCL Engineering and WilbeLAB, strengthening London’s role in space-enabled innovation and entrepreneurship. This launch marks a major step in continuing to connect the UK’s vibrant space and tech communities, as part of a joint initiative between UCL, the Satellite Applications Catapult, the UK Space Agency, and Space South Central.
SEL IDEALondon is the latest addition to the Catapult’s national network of 15 Space Enterprise Labs, which provide free access to state-of-the-art collaboration tools, virtual reality technology, and hybrid meeting facilities that enable innovators to solve global challenges by co-creating solutions using satellite data and space technology. This new location ensures that world-class support is accessible to entrepreneurs, researchers, and businesses in London and beyond, bridging the innovation potential of London’s tech and academic communities with the opportunities of the national space sector.
Alongside the launch, the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency Accelerator, delivered by Entrepreneurial Spark, have announced a new collaboration to strengthen support for space startup founders across the UK. Between November 2025 and March 2026, the Space Enterprise Labs in Edinburgh, Leeds, and IDEALondon will host monthly co-working days and networking sessions for entrepreneurs taking part in the UK Space Agency Accelerator programmes, helping early-stage founders connect, collaborate, and grow within a national innovation ecosystem.
Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at the Satellite Applications Catapult, commented:
“The launch of the Space Enterprise Lab IDEALondon at UCL represents a new chapter for the UK’s space ecosystem. By combining the innovation energy of London’s digital and research communities with the national SEL network, we’re enabling collaboration that turns ideas into impact. Our new collaboration with the UK Space Agency Accelerator will make the SELs even more dynamic, creating spaces where new ventures can thrive and where the next generation of space entrepreneurs can meet, learn, and build.”
Mike Stephens, Chief Executive Officer at Entrepreneurial Spark, said:
“Through our collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult to use its Space Enterprise Labs, we’re thrilled to offer coworking spaces to our cohorts and alumni in Edinburgh, Leeds, and London. This initiative strengthens our ecosystem by creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs and stakeholders to meet, share ideas, and build the future of the UK space sector together.”
The Space Enterprise Lab IDEALondon in Shoreditch, builds on the long-standing partnership between UCL and the Satellite Applications Catapult. IDEALondon offers entrepreneurs access to research expertise, industry networks, and emerging talent within UCL’s innovation community, while linking directly to the national space ecosystem through Space South Central, one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters. UCL joined the cluster in 2024, strengthening ties between academia, business, and the UK space community.
The launch took place during Space South Central’s Orbit, the cluster’s monthly networking event, hosted at IDEALondon by UCL Innovation & Enterprise – a forum designed to connect key players across the UK space industry, provide an opportunity to discover the region’s space-related activities, and discuss the sector on both a local and national level.
Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise, said:
“This is fantastic news for UCL, both on a partnership and innovation level. This facility at IDEALondon extends our partnership with the SAC further and solidifies our commitment to supporting the UK space sector and the next generation of space entrepreneurs.”
Dr Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central Enterprise Network, said:
“The opening of the Space Enterprise Lab at IDEALondon is a strategic milestone for Space South Central. It extends our regional cluster’s reach into the heart of London’s innovation ecosystem, creating a vital link between our universities, businesses, and the capital’s startup community. This SEL will help spinouts and early-stage ventures tap into national resources while staying connected to the collaborative strengths of our region. It’s a clear demonstration of how regional clusters like ours can drive inclusive growth across the UK space sector.”
This opening brings the total number of Space Enterprise Labs to 15, located in:
- SEL Adastral (Ipswich, Suffolk)
- SEL Belfast (Northern Ireland)
- SEL Daresbury (Liverpool City Region)
- SEL Edinburgh (South-East Scotland)
- SEL Glasgow (Central Scotland)
- SEL Harwell (Oxfordshire)
- SEL IDEALondon (London)
- SEL Leeds (Space Hub Yorkshire)
- SEL Leicester (Leicestershire)
- SEL NETPark (County Durham)
- SEL Newport (South Wales)
- SEL OpTIC (North Wales)
- SEL Spaceport Cornwall (Cornwall)
- SEL Surrey (Guildford)
- SEL Westcott (Buckinghamshire)
To find out more, including the booking details for each location, please contact sel@spaceenterprise.uk or visit www.sa.catapult.org.uk/sel.
From left to right: Joaquin Perez-Grande, Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult, Dr Louise Butt, Director, Space South Central Enterprise Network, Dr Rob Thompson, Vice-Dean Enterprise, Engineering Sciences, UCL, Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise
