Innovation Vouchers

ISIC-Surrey, in partnership with the South East England Regional Development Agency (SEEDA) will award Space Engineering Innovation Vouchers (a total of £200,000 funding has been made available) to SMEs and start-up companies based in the South East.

13 companies have already successfully bid for a Space Engineering Innovation Voucher:

triOpsis Guildford
Ikinema Guildford
MyDrive Solutions Guildford
Eureco Isle of Wight
Fluid Gravity Engineering Portsmouth
Helios Farnborough
iGeolise Guildford
Robosynthesis Berkshire
SolarMetrics Guildford
Techmatics Hampshire
TISICS Guildford
The Auriga Network Brighton
Newlands Ventures Guildford

Here is how some companies are using their Space Engineering Innovation Vouchers.

Innovation Vouchers

IKINEMA

Alexandre Pechev launched his own company, IKinema, following research conducted at the Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey.

Alexandre explains: “The technology we developed was initially used for controlling satellites but we soon realised the application had wider potential. In early 2010 we started operating as IKinema, offering software solutions for computer animation in both online and offline environments including mobile platforms, high-end consoles, film animators and TV advertising. The technology offers the industry a much faster animation process, reducing the time needed to achieve high-quality, realistic animation. Animators can create complex people and creatures with more life-like movements and posing.”

IKinema already boasts a number of high-profile clients including Disney, 20th Century Fox, Dreamworks and Framestore. Alexandre is using the Innovation Voucher to support the development of a marketing strategy and to help finance the company’s presence at international industry exhibitions.

”We are now focusing on brand creation – being well recognised and well networked is an important part of achieving brand recognition. Hopefully we can achieve this with the support of specialist business advisers.”

SOLARMETRICS

SolarMetrics are experts on space weather and cosmic radiation, offering advanced computer-predictive technology to calculate atmospheric radiation levels to support aerospace operations and safety.

“We have recently begun working with airlines to explore reducing their carbon footprint by managing increased fuel consumption caused as pilots try to avoid higher radiation events,” says Bryn Jones, the company’s CEO. “It’s not necessary to avoid all events so by providing accurate real-time data they will be able to take the most fuel efficient flight-path, while maintaining duty of care for crew and passengers.”

“We have benefited greatly from the advice provided by the SETsquared business support programme (involving the University of Surrey), but our membership with ISIC-Surrey gives us a priceless networking opportunity, making contact with other SMEs and some of the other large aerospace companies in the market.”

“With the Innovation Voucher funding we will be able to access outside expertise to help us to develop our IT infrastructure and improve our marketing and operations plans to work towards creating a complete integrated set of space weather services for our customers.”

TISICS

As the only producer of ultra high-tech titanium composites outside of the United States, UK company TISICS could see the potential of the technology for the space industry.

MD Stephen Kyle-Henney explains: “Reinforced titanium is a lightweight material which can withstand extreme temperatures whilst maintaining strength and mechanical performance. In aircraft physical weight and volume is critical, so if we can reduce the weight of materials and maintain performance it will save money and improve fuel efficiency.”

“However, in an industry with high risk and high cost involved you need to have an thorough understanding of the sector. The ISIC-Surrey network gives us the opportunity to raise our profile within the industry and make links with businesses that will compliment our offer and help us to develop our technology to meet the sector’s needs.”

TISICS will use the Innovation Voucher funding to gather a credible base of space specific data in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory. This will test the technology at the extreme cold temperatures faced by engineers working in the space industry.