Unlocking Space for Investment – Growth Pathway Market Engagement

Please note, this section has been updated:

In light of the extreme heat warnings issued for this week, and following travel guidance from Transport for London and Network Rail urging passengers to only travel if absolutely necessary, we have taken the decision to switch the planned in-person session to a virtual format to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all attendees and staff.

The session will go ahead virtually at the same time, 12:25–13:45 on Thursday 25 June. Joining details will be circulated in advance of the session in the form of an MS Teams invite.

We recognise that a key focus of the in-person session was to promote networking and support consortia building between potential suppliers. To ensure this objective is not lost by moving to a virtual format, we will share details of attendees following the session – including names, email addresses, and a short description of the services offered by each company – to support post-session outreach, networking, and consortia development.

The purpose of this session is to:

• provide prospective suppliers with an overview of the Specification of Requirements (available on request),
• outline the aims and scope of the Growth Pathway Advisory Scheme, and offer the opportunity to raise questions in advance of the formal tender process, and
• facilitate consortia or new working relationships between suppliers who are appointed to MCF4 Lot 2 and suppliers with space sector specific knowledge.

To register for the session, please use this link:

forms.cloud.microsoft/e/h6sABhnJMx ↗

Specification of Requirements:

The Specification of Requirements for the Growth Pathway Advisory Scheme is available on request by emailing [email protected]. Prospective suppliers are encouraged to review this document ahead of the engagement session to inform their questions and to understand the full scope, objectives, and requirements of the contract.

Advance Questions:

We are inviting interested organisations to submit questions in advance by close of play Tuesday 23 June 2026 to allow us to prepare for the session. Questions should be submitted to: [email protected]

All questions raised, whether submitted in advance or during the session itself, together with the corresponding answers, will be made available to bidders following the engagement session. This is to ensure full transparency and a level playing field for organisations that are unable to attend.

Consortia and Networking:

Our chosen route to market is RM6309 MCF4 Lot 2. We recognise that the breadth of skills and experience required by this procurement, spanning sell-side investment advisory, space and deep-tech market understanding, legal and regulatory expertise, and marketing and communications, may not reside within a single organisation.

This engagement session is therefore also intended as an opportunity for organisations to network and explore forming suitable consortia. In particular, we encourage organisations that possess relevant specialist capabilities but are not currently on the MCF4 framework to attend, with a view to partnering with framework-listed organisations.

Participation:

This opportunity is of particular suitability for:

• Management consultancy and financial advisory firms listed on Crown Commercial Service Management Consultancy Framework 4 (MCF4) RM6309, Lot 2, with demonstrable experience in sell-side investment advisory and capital-raising support for growth-stage businesses.
• Specialist advisory firms – including those offering legal, regulatory, strategic, and commercial consultancy services that can complement the core financial advisory capability of MCF4 Lot 2 suppliers through consortium or subcontracting arrangements.
• Space sector advisory and consulting firms with credible experience in space and deep-tech business strategy, technical due diligence, and investment advisory who can bring sector-specific knowledge and networks to strengthen consortium bids.

The procurement will be conducted through MCF4 Lot 2 using the following filters: Business Case Development, Business Structure, Future Planning, Strategic Advice, Strategy; accordingly, the lead organisation in any bid must be a framework-listed supplier. Organisations not currently on MCF4 are encouraged to attend this engagement session to explore consortium or subcontracting partnerships with framework-listed firms.

Please note: This market engagement opportunity is intended for organisations providing independent professional advisory and consultancy services. It is not suitable for organisations that are themselves active participants in the UK space industry (e.g., technology developers, satellite operators, launch providers, or other commercial space-tech enterprises), as the nature of the contract requires suppliers to operate in an impartial advisory capacity, independent of active technology development, proprietary commercial pursuits, or market positioning activities within the space sector.