PITCH PERFECT
Owen Thompson, director of Cambridge Space Technologies, gives us his business pitch
particular, have quite high barriers to entry for start-ups. We will be spending a large portion of our time fundraising on our first round, to enable our first satellite launch to take place with the appropriate technology on board. Which individuals or companies are your biggest inspirations? Of course we love the story of companies like SpaceX and those with incredible histories like Nasa, but we’re at the forefront of a new industry. We’re also excited by places closer to home with a deep history, such as the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics in Cambridge where even Stephen Hawking had an office! Where do you want the business to be in five years? In five years, we’ll be well on our way to launching a full constellation of satellites, and able to profitably service a number of commercial customers.
What’s your pitch? We are aiming to provide direct access, for government and commercial users, to a new level of quantum-age security. We’ll do this through quantum keys, which will be distributed via small satellites in low earth orbit. We are commercially orientated, acting as a prime contractor to utilise currently available infrastructure, launch systems and cutting-edge quantum communications. We are launching first in environments that demand rapid and highly secure communications, aiming to establish a ubiquitous service for users globally. How old is the company and how did it start? We have been forming the idea for many months now; it was primarily drawn from the known deficiencies in our current security systems, combined with a passion for space and new technology! What’s your role and background? I’ve just finished a stint of more than 13 years as a commissioned officer and fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force entanglement technologies in order to deliver commercially advantageous quantum-safe
and I’m now studying part time at the Cambridge Judge Business School. I wanted to take my passion for the aerospace industry and translate that through to a wider project that would still keep me interested while benefitting society as a whole. What makes the company unique? Primarily our team: we have a plethora of experience, including experts in defence acquisition management, and an experienced director who has run multiple technology companies. notice, was a great opportunity for us, but also very amusing! Our pitch deck wasn’t due to be ready for another week or so and I was overseas with my day job. Our other director was away with his family. We spent every spare hour available trying to construct and polish the pitch together from over 3,800 miles apart! It came together with minutes to go, edits were still taking place on the underground as we neared the venue. Biggest challenges? The technology industry as a whole, and the aerospace industry in Biggest achievement so far? Pitching at Canary Wharf, at short
Find out more at cambridgespacetechnologies.com
We are aiming to provide direct access, for government and commercial users, to a new level of quantum-age security"
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ISSUE 02
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