Ochil Astronautics Named Among Top 5 Scottish Finalists at UK StartUp Awards 2026
The Scottish AgTech company has been selected in the top 5 for the Technology Start Up of The Year regional finals.
3rd April 2026 – Glasgow-based AgTech company Ochil Astronautics has been named among the top five Scottish finalists in the Technology StartUp of the Year category at the UK StartUp Awards 2026.
Selected from more than 2,100 entries across the UK, Ochil Astronautics joins Apply Quantum, Entropyst, Nexa Secure IT, and Velinx as one of Scotland’s leading emerging technology businesses.
Representing sectors from quantum computing and AI to clean energy and cybersecurity, this year’s cohort highlights the breadth of innovation across Scotland. Ochil Astronautics stands out as the only finalist focused on advancing space-based technologies for food production in extreme environments.
Founded in 2024, Ochil Astronautics develops technology to grow fresh food in some of the most challenging environments on Earth and beyond. By enabling fresh produce to supplement standard rations, the company supports the health, performance, and morale of personnel operating in remote, high-pressure environments – including military deployments and future space missions.
The venture was inspired by founder Stuart Preston’s 16 years of service in the RAF, combined with a lifelong passion for space exploration.
“Being named a finalist for Scotland is a fantastic milestone for our small team,” said Stuart Preston, CEO & Founder.
“Having spent over 16 years in the RAF, I’ve seen first-hand the impact fresh food can have on people’s well-being when they are far from home. We’re incredibly proud to be recognised for our work in AgTech and space innovation. The opportunity to potentially represent Scotland at the national final at Ideas Fest in September is a huge motivation as we continue developing technology for both defence and space applications.”
Ochil Astronautics’ shortlisting marks the latest in a series of milestones for the company. In recent months, the business has secured £70,000 in funding to accelerate research and development, expanded its team, and participated in a Department for Business and Trade-supported mission to Florida.
During the visit, the company engaged with key stakeholders in the US space ecosystem, including NASA, further strengthening its international presence.
This growing momentum reflects increasing interest in the company’s technology and its potential applications across both defence and space sectors, as Ochil Astronautics continues to scale its innovation and global partnerships.
The UK StartUp Awards celebrate the innovation, resilience, and ambition of new businesses across the country, with 10 regional finals taking place throughout 2026 before a national final at Ideas Fest in September.
The Scotland regional final will take place on 23rd June at the Everyman Cinema in Edinburgh.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation, and contributing to prosperity right across the UK. This year's finalists represent the very best of British entrepreneurial talent, spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, building ventures that are making a real difference in their industries and communities.
The standard of entries in 2026 has been exceptional, and every finalist should be enormously proud of what they have achieved. Regional winners will go on to represent their region at the national final at Ideas Fest in September, and that is a stage worthy of everything they have built.”
For more information
Please visit: https://www.ochilastronautics.com
Or contact:
Laura Imrie, Marketing Consultant
laura.imrie@ochilastronautics.com
ABOUT OCHIL ASTRONAUTICS
Ochil Astronautics is developing technology to grow food in space, enabling humanity to go farther and stay longer beyond Earth. The company combines nearly two decades of engineering experience with a passion for space exploration to create smart, sustainable solutions for extreme environments. As the space AgTech sector continues to expand alongside human space exploration, Ochil Astronautics aims to be a key developer of enabling technologies.
ABOUT UK STARTUP AWARDS
The UK StartUp Awards is the UK’s largest independent awards programme celebrating the most ambitious and innovative new businesses across the country. Now in its fifth year, the awards received over 2,000 entries in 2026. Expert-judged and founded by Frankie James and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans as part of the Ideas Community, regional finals take place across the UK throughout 2026, with winners progressing to the national final at Ideas Fest in September. For more information, visit startupawards.uk
