Case Study: Oxford Space Systems

How Hard Can it Be?!
Overcoming the Start-Up Obstacles
Mike Lawton & Mathew Dreaper
8 July 2015
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What do you get when you bring together?.....
Smart aerospace
engineers from
around the world
The ancient art of
origami
Advanced
proprietary
composites
Superb support
network
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O FORD
SPACE
SYSTEMS
Oxford Space Systems is an award-winning space technology business that is
pioneering the development of deployable space structures that are lighter, less
complex and lower cost than those in current commercial demand.
Video available on line at:
https://youtu.be/VE3fAUbPo2c
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Typical Obstacles for a Start-Up
The founder
The founder’s family
Other members of the founding team
Money
The wrong sort of investors
Fearful customers
Unreliable suppliers
Scurrilous competitors
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Top Tips for Avoiding the Start-Up Landmines…
• Honesty
– Be honest with yourself
– Be honest with others (or perhaps be “wisely honest” with
others)
• Strategy vs Plan
– A broad strategy & clear principles is more enduring than a
100 page business plan
– It’ll take longer and cost more than you think…
• Bring people with you - emotion often trumps
reason
• Treat investment as a partnership
• Dare to dream!
• What’s the worst that can happen?
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O FORD
SPACE
SYSTEMS
Mike Lawton
Founder / CEO
Matthew Dreaper
Finance Director