Mike Lawton

Co-Founder / Director, Oxford Dynamics

I’m a serial entrepreneur, which is I think is probably code for getting things wrong slightly less often than I get them right… I enjoy building early-stage, tech businesses in demanding commercial environments: taking an idea from concept, raising investment, and building motivated teams that focus on delivery and sustainable value generation.

I am a keen promoter of STEM subjects, with a particular passion for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurial engineers and scientists. Before the world shifted on its axis with covid, I frequently presented at events in the UK and overseas on my entrepreneurial experiences, space technology, and the ‘dark arts’ of raising finance for tech businesses.

Most people consider me a pragmatic, determined, and enthusiastic leader with a hands-on approach who believes in direct reward for achievement.

I was Barclay’s Bank UK Start-Up Entrepreneur 2018 for the progress and achievements of previous venure, Oxford Space Systems now one of the highest-valued space-tech start-ups in the UK.

I’m also proud to say I was a mentor for the 2021 Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ Mentoring Programme.