Orion Astropreneur Space Academy
Jan 2025, YMP won the global WinMark Award in the UK with Warwick University acting as the judge.
“This achievement is no small feat. The competition was exceptionally fierce, and the panel was thoroughly impressed by the calibre of submissions. Your hard work and innovation truly stood out, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and your team.”
Ross Webster,
C-Suite Executive, Winmark, London
The Young Marco Polo Programme:
Navigating the NewSpace Landscape and Grounding it on Earth
OASA's Young Marco Polo (YMP) Programme represents our collective ambition to unravel the mysteries of the NewSpace Economy and entrepreneurship (or "astropreneurship"). It's a journey where university students team up to tackle genuine business problems originated from our corporate members, deriving innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what's possible in the digital and Newspace ecosystem.
Milestones
Our Collective Achievements
Business Challenges Addressed
Since 2020, over 20 real business challenges resolved or being resolved, sparking innovative solutions and unlocking new potentials.
Practical Training
As each sponsor puts up a high-flyer as the acting project manager, this Programme provides a real context to hone the leadership and management skills of the next team of leaders who must take the firm to new heights.
Students Engaged
Already over 100 students from 20 global universities, all stepping into the entrepreneurial problem-solving spotlight and exposed to the real competitive world of business.
Internship Success
Over 90% of the YMPers were able to secure rewarding internships, job offers, or funding from investors, jump-starting their careers in the NewSpace industry.
The Journey:
Real-world Experience and Mentorship
In the YMP mission, students don't just learn about the NewSpace Economy - they become active participants in it. Swim or sink. Through tackling practical challenges and working with our accomplished mentors, students acquire valuable skills and experience that prepare them for their future roles as industry team leaders. Potential employers get to work with truly inspired young leaders and get to assess their skills hands-on. High turnover with college graduates is one of the best pain and expense for employers. This process helps to improve understanding for both sides.
The YMP Advantage:
Building Tomorrow's Astropreneurs
Participation in the YMP mission cultivates:
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Experience: Firsthand practice in addressing new and real business challenges.
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Skills: Development of critical and systems thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.
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Network: Building meaningful relationships with peers, mentors, and industry leaders that can last a lifetime.
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Opportunities: Potential for internships and employment within our partner companies.
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Commitment to problem-solving and adding value in a VUCA world: Why does any company hire a young leader? To solve increasingly complex challenges that few have been able to define yet.