"BRINGING SPACE DOWN TO EARTH" :
DIVERSITY CONNECTS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL FIBRE
(29 October 2003). By Saundra Glenn, Kinlock Communications, UK, Dr Bramwell Osula, Regent University USA.

While most of us have high tech dreams of one sort or another, few are able to translate their dreams into reality. Well that has all changed. When it comes to successful businesses, Mohan Ahad, Candace Johnson, and Partha Dey demonstrate that the sky is merely another frontier to be crossed. They reach above and beyond the skies for their gratification.

These three entrepreneurs are different and yet similar. All see 'no limits' in the amount of time and effort they are willing to devote to making changes and enhancements in both technological and personal achievements.

We've all heard of NASA but unless you're technically minded all that stuff about rockets and propulsion engines is a world way. All that's about to change. Nowadays we're hearing more and more about space and satellites; and even if we don't always understand everything that's said, it's still exciting news.

Most of us are still fascinated by the Star Wars vision and wished we could make a closer connection with space. Well now we can. Mohan and Candace Johnson are helping to put a human face on the world of space technology while Partha Dey combines space adventures of another sort with a thriving business. All three display an entrepreneurial spirit that is winning recognition around the globe.

The recent launch from China of that country's first manned space flight has again fuelled interest in space, particularly as up until now the only other countries to have done this in the past are Russia and the US. Our three entrepreneurs have anchored their business interests to the stars and are charting a course that paves a way for untold technological advancement and business recognition.

MOHAN AHAD

Mohan Ahad, is an extraordinary technological entrepreneur who uses business and technology to generate opportunities for technological development. An unassuming 31 year old with a real passion for technological innovation, Mohan has been developing his innovative ideas for a number of years and is currently in the process of designing a demonstration rocket engine with help from Microjet Engineering.

As the Founder of Microlaunch Systems in Cambridge, Mohan's vision is simple: "Bringing space down to earth by using mass produced components to launch microsatellites"

Microlaunch Systems Ltd which won a Smart Award to study the feasibility for a new space rocket to place microsatellites into orbit is dedicated to making its space dream a business reality. . The Award was a boost for the company and is the first time in 30 years that any company or person has been sponsored in this way. Most people are unaware that Britain is a world leader in Microsatellites. This technology is allowing organisations like Microlaunch Systems Ltd to build and launch small satellites.

The development of Microlaunch is a study in commitment, dedication and the matching of technology to innovation. 'Microlaunch Systems' has developed progressively, assembled a strong management team, and, with the help of heavy-hitters like Candace Johnson and CfEL Summer School who helped the company win Smart Award, gained some strategic partners and attracted government funding. This is the first time in 30 years that the UK government has supported a space rocket company. Mohan is conscious that there remains work to be done and commits to his vision each day.

Most success stories are a response to specific challenges. Microlaunch Systems Ltd is no different. The down side of the idea to put 'lightweights into space' is that the space industry has brought more into the larger rockets, costlier payloads and longer missions. Microlaunch Systems believes it can change this concept, even though at the moment the market seems to be very small. Small satellites usually ride piggyback into orbit, as a secondary payload, weighing less than 100 kg. The problem here is that the 'rocket will only be launched when full. The result can be impatient customers'.

Simon Pratten, Shai Vyakarnam and Alan Barrell all of Transitions Ltd, became great supporters of Microlaunch Systems and its microsatellites concept. Barrell introduced Mohan to Candace Johnson at the 5th Cambridge Enterprise Conference. Johnson and Transitions Ltd assisted Mohan to a successful Smart Award for Microlaunch Systems. The creative synergies created between Microlaunch, Transitions Ltd and Johnson have undoubtedly helped to drive this story of success.

Mohan won a prize at Cranfield for the new business idea with most promise in autumn 2000. The prize is given by Venture Capital Report, which is a specialist newsletter for venture capital investors. "Mohan is a great example of an MBA entrepreneur with a big vision and the tenacity to make it happen."

Mohan says - "I had aspirations and dreams as most people do. I watched TV e.g. Star Wars as a child, inspired towards space, thought 'why not?'" Just like Homer Hickham in October Sky, Mohan later developed an interest in Maths and Physics which he says "fired my imagination." He went on to study Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering at University of Southampton, then went on to complete a postgraduate Diploma in Satellite Communications Engineering at the University of Surrey. This led to positions as a Chartered Engineer for Royal Aeronautics Society, and a job testing military aircraft systems which he gave up to go on to study an MBA at the Cranfield School of Management.

And just to show that he's a "regular guy" Mohan spends his free time going to the cinema and socialising and is a little modest about talking about his career as a 'rocket scientist,' trying to avoid the subject as much as possible.

CANDACE JOHNSON

Candace Johnson, an international telecommunications expert, based in France, has made using the Internet via satellite transmission possible. From her early days she has had a vision of building international peace through communication. Although she will probably deny the label, Johnson may well be one of the most powerful women in Europe (as mentioned in Time magazine).

Johnson has many business credits to her name. An international telecommunications expert she is the founding president of Johnson Paradigm Ventures, a company that invests in high growth telecoms and software. She is also the founding president and CEO of Europe Online and operates the world's largest consumer hybrid celestial/terrestrial broadband Internet network. She is co-initiator of SES Global, the largest satellite system in the world. Following through on her dream to "build a multilingual, multicultural European gateway to the Internet' Johnson showed that she had an admirable ability to take high risks with new technology by launching the first Internet via satellite. Her personal philosophy is perhaps summed up in the words,

"The only things worth doing are the impossible things in life" - Candace Johnson. At a time when others are bemoaning the challenges of the current business environment Johnson remains optimistic. Known to call herself 'Satallady' in e-mail exchanges, her positive outlook and commitment have undoubtedly contributed to her astonishing success.

In a world largely dominated by men Johnson has held her own and epitomise the spirit of success. Given the long hard battle that many women are still having to fight for opportunities and recognition in the fields of business and engineering Johnson's words might prove inspirational. She says:

"Never give up and never go away even when others want you to" - Candace Johnson.

PARTHA DEY

"Never give up" is a dictum that Partha Dey, mountaineering extraordinaire has clearly taken to heart. This forward and upward approach to life has helped him conquer some of the highest mountains in the world both literally as well as in the heady world of business. Partha's own words say it all:

"A successful expedition means coming back alive. A mountaineer has to use best judgement and may have to abort the climb, but that does not make the attempt a failure. The same applies to entrepreneurialism."

This connection between mountaineering and entrepreneurialism is one that may be lost on most of us; until that is we reflect on the perseverance, dedication, training, and vision that are part of the same mindset required by both disciplines. Constantly reaching forward, sometimes in the half-light of dawn, is an experience that the mountaineer is familiar with. In May 1999 Partha was alone on Ben Nevis. 1,344 metres up Britain's highest peak with inadequate clothing and no equipment or climbing gear. The story he tells is riveting. The reduced version is that fortified with nothing more than an apple ands can of coke he stumbled through a storm and darkness to clear down a sheer rock face without any vegetation for hand grip. Lost for almost 10 hours, Partha very nearly fell to his death. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending thanks to Partha's determination and the inspiration of a bird. Partha sighted a bird and, in his words thought, "I'm going to make this" as the bird was a sign of life nearby. You'd think that this experience would put Partha off mountaineering for good. It hasn't. He's already thinking about Everest and has already gone as far as the Everest base camp which is 8,848 metres and Mont Blanc which at 4,807 metres is the highest mountain in Western Europe. And what does any of this have to do with the world of business or entrepreneurship? Well, Partha is also the founder of PDT International Limited which trades as PDT Express.

PDT has risen to success from humble one-man-and-a-van beginnings. Success is due to many things, including Partha's vision and commitment that are summed up in his advice to other upcoming businesses:

"Be the best, build good relationships with people," "offer good levels of service," "care for your clients," "be honest about mistakes to clients, and have a policy for the transparent sharing of information, particularly around problem-solving."

Although he may not say it, like Ahad and Johnson, Partha is also committed to bringing space down to earth by constructing a business empire around hard work and lofty dreams. Oh, and just in case the space associations aren't clear enough, Partha is a qualified pilot and flies a PA28 Piper Warrior.

The three will be appearing at the Multicultural Conference on Competitiveness and Enterprise on Monday, 24th November, part of the University of Luton's international conference and awards ceremony that will explore how diversity and multicultural 'fusion' enhance new business formation, growth and regional economic development.

The event is part of the University of Luton's 10th Anniversary programme.