SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT)

The Open University is a partner in the SPRINT (SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology) Programme - a space-sector high-growth programme for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

SPRINT will engage over 400 businesses and support 150 of those over three years, delivering GVA and jobs in support of the UK Space Sector Growth Strategy. It will allow SMEs to:

• Work with universities to innovate, accelerate technologies and develop novel products/services.
• Interact with other support structures such as the Satellite Applications Catapult and regional SME growth projects.
• Support space and space-enabled businesses to scale up through the development of links with funders and investors.

SPRINT was formally launched in April 2018. It has been funded by an award of £4,796,000 from the Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund (CCF). Other SPRINT partners include the University of Leicester (lead) and the Univversities of Surrey, Southamption and Edinburgh.

SPRINT will act as a catalyst to transform the ways that universities and broader partners collaborate, working to boost economic growth, jobs and prosperity throughout the UK by delivering market-led solutions to the space and space enabled economy.