case study

From Start-up to Scale-up: Driving Growth at Westcott

Introduction and Challenge

In partnership with Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (BucksLEP), the Satellite Applications Catapult launched the Westcott Incubator and Accelerator (WIA) programme in November 2022. The initiative was designed to stimulate the growth of start-ups and SMEs within the UK’s space sector, a market that is highly competitive but often inaccessible due to high costs, technical barriers, and limited access to specialist facilities. By combining financial support with technical expertise, the WIA programme sought to support sustainable growth across the UK space sector by empowering early-stage companies to translate innovation into commercial and economic impact.

Our Approach

The programme, jointly funded by BucksLEP and the Catapult, offered tailored packages through a voucher scheme valued between £5,000 and £25,000. The “Incubator” provided strategic business support and commercialisation advice, while the “Accelerator” delivered access to the Catapult’s world-class facilities and specialist technical guidance. 

The first three incubates - Hybrock, Techwerk, and Growbotics - were supported in addressing both technical and commercial challenges. Hybrock received over £20,000 to refine its propulsion strategy and was advised to target more accessible European launch opportunities. Techwerk secured £15,000 and, through Catapult-led workshops, pivoted from the saturated satellite market to opportunities in defence and UAV/drone applications. Growbotics used £20,000 to advance its robotic in-space servicing tool and benefited from Catapult’s robotics testbed to prototype and demonstrate on-orbit assembly processes through the Catapult ISAM Test Facility. 

Outcomes

The WIA programme has delivered tangible results by accelerating innovation, enabling investment readiness, and unlocking new market opportunities. The Catapult’s guidance directly supported substantial contract wins:

• Techwerk secured two contracts through DSTL’s Serapis framework, marking a breakthrough into the defence sector.
• Growbotics was awarded £48,900 from Innovate UK to develop a reusable solar panel and later joined a consortium that secured £800,000 for the TARS-IOD project, focused on modular robotic arms for on-orbit servicing.

By reducing barriers to specialist equipment and facilities, the WIA programme significantly accelerated the commercialisation pathways of early-stage companies. These successes have reinforced the role of Westcott as a driver of UK space innovation and competitiveness.

Long Term Impact

The first phase of the programme demonstrated the importance of combining financial investment with technical and business expertise. However, the complex administrative requirements highlighted the need for a more streamlined model. From October 2024, the programme entered its second phase under the new branding of Westcott Launch Pad, led by Buckinghamshire Council with the Catapult continuing as a key technical and business support partner.

Sustainability mechanisms have been embedded, requiring successful incubatees to contribute back to the programme, ensuring a self-reinforcing model of growth. With this evolution, the Catapult remains committed to advancing the development of a stronger, more inclusive UK space sector, creating pathways for future businesses to access the resources needed to grow and succeed.