Funding for Space

14:00 Welcome Address 14:05 The Space Investment Inflection Point SpaceTech is moving quickly from a frontier market into a critical infrastructure sector, driven by defence demand, commercial adoption, and improving launch economics. This keynote will explore current trends, what’s changing in the investment landscape, why momentum is building, and what the next phase of growth could look like for the space economy. - Rob Desborough, General Partner and Chair of Seraphim Space Accelerator 14:20 Growth Pathway: PwC’s MaxQ Session Max Q: Funding for Space - Inside the Investor Hot Seat As the space sector matures, founders are facing tougher questions from investors who expect real traction, clear economics and credible risk management. Max Q: Funding for Space brings that reality on stage. Inspired by the point of maximum dynamic pressure on a rocket, this live session recreates an investment discussion in real time, with a company facing challenging but constructive questioning from a panel of seasoned investors and industry experts. The session will highlight what investors look for, where funding cases typically break down, and how founders can better prepare for serious capital raises. It’s designed to demystify the process and give the audience a front?row seat to what “good” looks like under pressure. If you’re a founder, investor or ecosystem partner focused on building investable UK space businesses, this is one not to miss. 15:05 Panel 1: Funding Space: Expanding the Range of Capital Solutions As the sector scales, SpaceTech needs more than venture capital alone. This discussion will explore the range of funding options emerging across the market, from growth capital and strategic investment to debt, government-backed finance, and partnerships, and what it will take to support long-term growth across the space ecosystem. - Moderator: Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, Professor Space Economy, Technology and Innovation Durham University Space Research Centre & Chairman, OpenUK Space Advisory Board. Durham University - Alex Leigh, Managing Director (National), Future Planet Capital - Anuj Ashar, Founder, Asteria Space - James Baker, Principal, Amadeus Capital Partners - Fani Kallianou De Jong, Space Economy Lead, Principal, EBRD 15:45 Panel 2: From Niche to Mainstream: Making Space Investable for Large Capital Allocators Space is becoming increasingly investable, but large institutions still face barriers around scale, risk, liquidity, and market visibility. This panel will explore what needs to happen for SpaceTech to become a mainstream asset class, and how banks, exchanges, and investors can help accelerate the sector’s path to institutional capital. - Moderator: Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, Professor Space Economy, Technology and Innovation Durham University Space Research Centre & Chairman, OpenUK Space Advisory Board. Durham University - Katya Gorbatiouk, Head of Investment Funds, London Stock Exchange - Avantika Gupta, Principal, Type One Ventures - Mark Barry, Senior Investment Director, British Business Bank 16:25 Closing Remarks 16:30 Networking Drinks at The Fox