John Priestland - C-Tech Club, Space Chapter

The C-Tech Club is a global community of founders and CEOs of construction technology start-ups. Founded in 2019, it has grown to cover 425 founders in 31 countries, creating a ‘safe space’ for them to collaborate and learn from each other. Now the C-Tech Club is getting involved with the space sector, with a Space Chapter specifically supporting founders focused on design and construction in space.

"Now we think it's time to take that trusted environment, that 'safe space' where founders can share and work together into the space sector." John Priestland

On this edition of The Ex Terra Podcast, Tom Patton talks with John Priestland, founder of the C-Tech Club.

The Space Chapter’s mission is to support independent innovators whose technology is suitable for in-orbit or lunar deployment, or extreme environments or space facilities here on Earth. Founders benefit from monthly speaker meetings, a vibrant social media group, conference events (such as ‘C-Tech Club Start-up Village’ at Digital Construction Week, advocacy with Government and construction leadership groups and social events such as dinners. At these events, founders can collaborate, learn from each other and build connections with people facing the same challenges that they face.

"Now we think it's time to take that trusted environment, that 'safe space' where founders can share and work together into the space sector. Because there are really exciting developments in orbit, on the Moon and further afield, and we think it's time to help founders play their part in the space mission," Priestland said.

The Space Chapter focuses on businesses involved in on-orbit, lunar, extreme environment and space facilities opportunities. Relevant technologies are likely to include 3D printing of structures; new materials; structural design software; robotics; hyper-accurate sensors (to allow remote handling); physical/digital twins; and novel surveying and scanning techniques. There may also be spin-offs from space-related construction technology for conventional Earth-based construction.

If you are interested in joining the C-Tech Club’s Space Chapter (which is open to founders and CEOs of start-ups actively involved in design and construction for space), please email them at [email protected].