PARTNERS & SUPPORT

The Aqualunar Challenge is a project of international collaboration between the United Kingdom and Canada. In the UK, the Aqualunar Challenge is delivered by Challenge Works on behalf of the UK Space Agency.

UK SPACE AGENCY

The UK Space Agency plays a major role in delivering the government’s National Space Strategy. We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.

We are an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The Aqualunar Challenge is supported by funding from the International Bilateral Fund, UKSA’s dedicated fund for building and strengthening international partnerships.

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CHALLENGE WORKS

Challenge Works is a global leader in design and delivery of open innovation challenges that mobilise diverse, innovative thinkers to solve pressing problems and unlock change. Challenge prizes are a unique approach to funding innovation, offering a series of incentives, with a final prize given to whoever can first or most effectively meet a defined goal.

They are public, open competitions which lower barriers to entry to attract the broadest possible community of innovators. Founded by Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation for social good, we are a social enterprise that has delivered 86 challenges to date and distributed more than £124 million to winning innovators.

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Working with

Isle Utilities

Isle is an international consultancy of scientists, engineers, business and regulatory experts specialising in water, with a common drive to make a positive social, economic, and environmental impact through the advancement of innovative technologies and related practices.

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Exotopic

Exotopic is a business consultancy focussed on bringing science & technology innovation to market for economic and societal benefit.

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Space Professionals Partnership

Space Professionals Partnership, founded by Andy Williams and Andy German in 2023, is a network of independent consultants with genuine deep expertise in the space sector, offering support to Government, investors and industry. Building on a core of space industry experts, we can support a range of space-related business needs including technical assistance, commercial & strategic advice, and due diligence & assurance.

Supported by

Frazer Nash Consultancy

Frazer-Nash Consultancy will offer additional non-financial support to the Aqualunar Challenge winning teams at the end of the challenge between April and May 2025.

Frazer-Nash, a KBR Company, is a leading systems, engineering and technology company. They provide business and technical expertise to clients, supporting them to realise their vision for using space in a safe, secure and sustainable way.

Frazer-Nash will provide a unique pitching opportunity that would see the winning teams presenting to a panel of experts from the KBR Science & Space (S&S) Division and Venture and Acquisitions. KBR’s S&S division is a world-leading spaceflight support organisation with over 60 years of experience. They operate globally, providing solutions for NASA, federal civilian agencies, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial customers. Their team of experts is passionate about space exploration, health innovation, engineering, technological breakthroughs, and scientific research.

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Weir

Weir will offer advice and support relating to the terrestrial applications of lunar water filtration technology, particularly in the natural resources sector. They will be on hand to advise finalist teams on product development, R&D evolution, engineering expertise, business planning and manufacturing for the natural resources sector.

Weir’s technologies help customers in mining and similar industries operate with the highest productivity and lowest environmental impact. They have made it their purpose to ensure the sustainable and efficient supply of the vital natural resources essential for a better world today, and for the future.

Weir operates within, and supports customers in, a number of water stressed regions of the world. Using water wisely in these regions is a key priority. They have aligned their technology to contribute to the site sustainability objectives of their customers, partnering with local communities and engaging with environmental interest groups.

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UKspace

UKspace, the trade association for space, is delighted to be partnering with the exciting and innovative Aqualunar Challenge. As a result of being a finalist, all ten companies taking part in the competition will get free one year membership of UKspace.

UKspace is the official trade association of the UK space industry, representing and promoting space to government and other key stakeholders nationally and internationally. As a government priority sector, it has never been a better time to be a member of UKspace and a key and valued part of the UK space community.

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In Canada, the Aqualunar Challenge is delivered by the Canadian Space Agency in partnership with Impact Canada.

For Canadian innovators looking to apply to the Canadian track of the Aqualunar Challenge:

ELIGIBILITY

PARTNERS