Congratulations to Oxford Space Systems which scooped the Innovation Award, sponsored by The Oxford Science Park, at the Oxfordshire Business Awards, held on Friday 17 June 2016 at Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel.
Oxford Space Systems is a venture capital backed space technology business that is pioneering the development of a new generation of deployable structures for satellites that are lighter, less complex and lower cost than those currently in orbit. Based at Harwell Campus, its business has grown from a standing start in September 2013 to 16 employees, has had two successful fundraising rounds, and has a number of R&D contracts along with supply contracts. Led by Mike Lawton, who is a charismatic serial entrepreneur, the business has already been awarded several awards for engineering, as well as the OBA’s 2014 New Business Award.
Byron Byrne, Director, The Oxford Science Park who presented the award said: “Deserved congratulations go to Oxford Space Systems on its success. The company’s R&D programme, and its commercialisation and subsequent growth, has been very impressive.
“Our congratulations also go to the two other finalists in the Innovation Award category: Gusto Telecom Solutions and Zeta Specialist Lighting.”
Mike Lawton, Founder & CEO of Oxford Space Systems, said: “We’re really proud to win the OBA’s 2016 Innovation Award. OSS is attracting global interest in the technology we’re developing, so the award was a great opportunity to raise the profile of the growing UK space industry – and the noises the UK is making in the global space market.”
“The award allows us the opportunity to highlight the fact we’re on course to set two industry records: next month we’ll be in orbit with a new piece of technology, as well as setting a record for product development time, our AstroTubeTM boom represents the world’s longest retractable boom system for a micro-satellite. And all developed here in Oxfordshire.”
This was the first year that The Oxford Science Park has sponsored an Oxfordshire Business Awards’ category, as Byron Byrne explained: “As our first year as a sponsor, we are proud to have sponsored the Innovation Award as it reflects the Park, as a thriving community of discovery and a launch pad for entrepreneurship and success.
“We had a great night and would like to compliment the organising committee on its hosting of the awards event which ran seamlessly. It showcased the impressive level of business achievements across Oxfordshire.”
