Applying the space sector in business models; a collaboration between space industry and university
About this good practice
Advancing the regional aerospace sector with a sustainable development approach in mind (in line with the UN SDGs) is a priority in Nordland. Being innovative by nature, entrepreneurship, and especially youth entrepreneurship, has the potential to play a key role in such development. The collaboration between Nord University and Andøya Space Center has been designed to address this need. Nord University Business School offers a 2-year master’s program in entrepreneurship and business (FIVER). The programme allows students to try out different business ideas, focusing on 3 industries of particular relevance for the region. Aerospace is one of them. FIVER students also participate in a one-week study visit to Andøya Space, exploring business opportunities linked to the use of satellite data (i.e. for climate / weather predictions, agriculture planning, etc.). First, students are first given a ‘crash course’ on the use of satellite data. Then, they work in teams to explore different ideas, supported by experts from the University and Andøya. At the end of the visit, they pitch their ideas (i.e. targeted problem, solution, market, financial plan, etc.) to stakeholders from Andøya Space. This collaboration between the space industry and academia is unique and innovative, as it brings entrepreneurship students (and not only STEM students) to a tech-heavy industry. This opens up for ideas and solutions, in the intersection between entrepreneurship education and the space industry.
Resources needed
FIVER is managed by Nord University with internal resources (including public funding and fees). The visit to Andøya costs ca 15.500€/year for travel & accommodation of 7 students and 2 teachers (25% covered by University, 75% covered by Interreg Aurora funding). Andøya Space staff runs the visit.
Evidence of success
Very positive feedback from students (14 directly involved in the visit to Andøya) and Andøya Space. The student startup Eagle AI was founded in 2022 as a result of the programme. They use satellite data to map fish streams, increasing
efficiency and lowering fuel usage and risks for fishermen. The founder won the 2024 High North Young Entrepreneur award. The start-up has been admitted to an incubator program, and has received 1 million NOK from a scheme called STUD-ENT for further development.
Potential for learning or transfer
While youth entrepreneurship can be a key enabler to the development of the aerospace sector, experience shows that business students need hands-on experience and support to connect with relevant stakeholders. The collaboration between University Nord and Andøya Space is a good example of how key actors of the regional aerospace ecosystem can join forces to promote entrepreneurship. In our case, business students are exposed to the space industry and challenges and encouraged to develop innovative ideas. The newly established student start-up is a very good outcome, showing how an idea can be turned into a real company, with a growing team and external capital. The core concept underlying this collaboration can be applied to basically any sector. Hence the potential for transfer is high. The idea is to bring entrepreneurial thinking into sectors that are ‘STEM-heavy’, where there may be a significant gap between technical knowledge and practical, concrete offers for the market