International Inward Investment in Scotland for the Downstream Data Market

Scottish Enterprise commissioned AstroAgency to explore inward investment opportunities in the downstream space data sector.

The primary aims were:

1. Identify end users of space data in key countries across: 
   • Earth Observations (EO)
   • Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) 
   • Satellite communications 
2. Determine the types and specifications of space data these end users utilise
3. Prioritise geographic markets for inward investment opportunities into Scotland. 
4. Map industries that use or could benefit from space data, including how and what datasets they use. 
5. Highlight users that are not yet using space data but could benefit from it. 

The methodology consisted of three main stages:

• Research: Desk-based research was conducted using public sources and AstroAgency’s internal databases to identify companies using, or suited to using, space data.
• Filtering: The intelligence was then narrowed down by assessing whether users currently use space data or could benefit from it - even if they’re unaware of its use.
• Analysis: Users were evaluated by sector and geography, using industry knowledge to highlight market potential and accessibility.

The report finds that Scotland has strong capabilities in downstream space data - especially in Earth Observation (EO) and Position and Navigation & Timing (PNT) - with applications across sectors like fintech, agriculture, energy and logistics. Global demand for space data is growing rapidly and many industries use it without realising. Scotland’s strengths in data analytics, AI and cybersecurity make it well-positioned to attract inward investment, particularly from fintech and energy. The report identifies high-potential users and regions for engagement, highlighting Scotland’s opportunity to become a global hub for commercial space data services.