University College London (UCL) has announced the opening of a new Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) located in IDEALondon, an innovation hub managed by UCL Engineering in collaboration with WilbeLAB. This initiative is part of a partnership involving UCL, the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and Space South Central.
The new lab will integrate into the existing network of Space Enterprise Labs established by the Catapult across the UK. Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at SAC, emphasized the significance of this launch, stating, “The launch of the Space Enterprise Lab IDEALondon at UCL represents a new chapter for the UK”s space ecosystem. By combining the innovation energy of London”s digital and research communities with the national SEL network, we”re enabling collaboration that turns ideas into impact.”
Hartless further noted that the collaboration with the UK Space Agency Accelerator is set to enhance the dynamic nature of the SELs, fostering environments where emerging ventures can flourish and where aspiring space entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and innovate.
UCL highlighted its ongoing partnership with SAC and its involvement in the regional cluster of Space South Central. Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs) at UCL Innovation & Enterprise, remarked, “This is fantastic news for UCL, both on a partnership and innovation level. This facility at IDEALondon extends our partnership with the SAC further and solidifies our commitment to supporting the UK space sector and the next generation of space entrepreneurs.”
The newly inaugurated Space Enterprise Lab is the latest addition to the network of 15 SELs across the UK, designed to provide a variety of services and capabilities for local businesses in the space sector, facilitating more effective collaboration. Each lab offers a modern, professional, and safe working environment.
Between November 2025 and March 2026, the Space Enterprise Labs located in Edinburgh, Leeds, and IDEALondon will host monthly co-working days and networking sessions aimed at supporting space startup founders participating in the UK Space Agency Accelerator programs. The goal of these sessions is to help early-stage entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and grow within the national ecosystem.
Image: Satellite Applications Catapult – From left to right: Joaquin Perez-Grande, Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult, Dr. Louise Butt, Director, Space South Central Enterprise Network, Dr. Rob Thompson, Vice-Dean Enterprise, Engineering Sciences, UCL, Kemil Thomas, Principal Partnerships Manager (High Growth SMEs), UCL Innovation & Enterprise.
For further updates, the Northern Ireland Space Enterprise Lab has also recently opened at AMIC Harbour.
