Business Development
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is one of the UK’s leading universities. The Antennas Group of the Department of Electronic Engineering wished to understand the market potential of a novel antenna design.
Black Kite's market study showed that there was limited interest from their target market (telecommunications - mobile phones), but identified a novel technology SME working in the Space sector that was keen to engage. SSBV Space & Ground Systems Ltd. is funding further development of the antenna for its specific application and has since signed a licence agreement with QMUL for use of the technology. Development of the antenna has progressed such that the antenna's first flight is proposed to be on TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) late 2012.
Black Kite accessed its network to allow QMUL to exploit their technology in a market area that was unforeseen by them. This also benefited SSBV by directing them to antenna technology, which may have taken them some time to find.
A large UK plc working in high-tech sectors (Medical, Defence, Space) is interested in developing a new product line, requiring targeted investment of several million pounds.
Black Kite established that a significant market for their new product exists, described the entry barriers for a new entrant (specifically themselves) and outlined cost-effective ways of lowering the barriers and achieving early credibility for a new, specialised product.
