UK-based deployable antenna manufacturer Oxford Space Systems has raised £3 million in funding that will be used to support the company’s growth.
While Oxford Space Systems was founded in 2013, the company’s growth has accelerated over the last two years. In that period, the company has grown from 50 to 87 employees, supported five successful antenna deployments in space, and opened a new manufacturing facility
Although the company didn’t detail the source of its £3 million in new funding, the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) did share that it had contributed £750,000. The funding was taken from the UKI2S’ Defence & Security Seed portfolio which was launched in 2022 and received an injection of capital from the UK Ministry of Defence in September 2023.
Oxford Space Systems will utilize the funding to fund high-growth product opportunities that utilize the company’s existing capabilities. It will focus on variants of its successful Wrapped Rib Synthetic Aperture Radar antenna architecture, a Hinged Rib high-frequency antenna for inter-satellite communications, and a terrestrial antenna for use on Earth to enable rapid deployment and high-performance connectivity.
“We are proud and delighted at the progress Oxford Space Systems has made in recent years, building its product range, customer base, and revenues,” said Oxford Space Systems CEO Sean Sutcliffe. “This growth round will enable us to seize the initiative to develop further high-potential products and to expand our market reach beyond that previously envisaged and into high-frequency satellite communication markets, both in space and on the ground.”
Oxford Space Systems began its push to grow its business in January 2023 with the addition of a new manufacturing facility in Abingdon, just north of its Harwell campus. The primary objective of the new facility was to scale up the company’s capability to manufacture key materials and components for its deployable antennas. This facility will, as a result, serve a key role in the company’s future growth plans.
Update: This article was updated on 25 January 2024 with information on the £750,000 supplied by the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund.
