Space start-ups see $2.5bn investments

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

A total of 217 space sector start-ups and entrepreneurs received funding exceeding $2.5 billion throughout 2017, with 14 having been founded in the Middle East, audiences heard at the final day of the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi. Of the 217, 121 are based in the US, according to Mark Boggett, Managing Director of Serphim Capital, who moderated a panel discussion on the space sector as an entrepreneurial haven.
The final day of the Global Aerospace Summit 2018 focussed on capacity building and youth engage- ment programmes across the space and aerospace sectors, as well as outlining current activities taking place around the world. A total of 150 students from schools and universities around the UAE took part in the sessions, which provided inspiration for youth interested in fields related space and aerospace, and demonstrating increasingly diverse range of career opportunities available.
Opening the day’s activities was Shaesta Waiz, a refugee from Afghanistan who settled in the US and went on to become world’s youngest woman to circumnavigate the world solo in a single engine aircraft.
Her 25,000-mile journey saw her travel to 18 countries, engaging with more than 3,000 youth around
the world to raise awareness about STEM education and the opportunities available for all.
Waiz, whose accolades also include becoming the first certified civilian pilot from Afghanistan, said: “In pursuit of your dreams you are going to face challenges — these are the times you need to press on and not give up.”
Among those attending the opening session was Sahda Haroon, a grade 10 student in the UAE with aspirations to become an astronaut and founded her school’s Scholars’ Astronaut Club.
“This event has given me the opportunity to connect to people and plan what’s next for myself and the club. I just flew with Shaesta on the aircraft simulator, so there have been some great experiences for young students here today, and it will allow me to raise awareness and spread more opportunities to other kids in the UAE,” Haroon said.