Discovery Planet C.I.C

What Discovery Planet C.I.C does

Discovery Planet C.I.C is a UK Community Interest Company (social enterprise) founded in 2014 by Xanthe Pitt, Nikki Hildesley and Dr Vicky Mason, headquartered in Ramsgate, Kent, with a 5-person team. The organization delivers accessible, community-focused STEM learning experiences through a pop-up venue model: underused shops and public spaces across Ramsgate and the wider Thanet area are transformed into temporary venues for interactive workshops, planetarium shows, exhibitions, and family events. Core offerings include Pop-up Learning Spaces, Interactive STEM Workshops, Planetarium Experiences, Community Events and Exhibitions (e.g. CircusScience), a Schools Programme for primary and secondary students, and a Science Communication Training service for postgraduate students and partner organizations, with a podcast on Ramsgate Radio as ancillary content. Revenue mechanics are a hybrid of workshop and event fees, school programme income, training fees, and grant funding from trusts, government (DCMS), and award bodies (King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Prize 2024, among others); as a C.I.C. with an asset lock, all surplus is reinvested into community benefit rather than distributed. The customer base is distributed across schools/educational institutions and the local Ramsgate and Thanet community, with a cumulative reach of more than 30,000 participants since founding. The organization transitioned in 2025 from a fixed High Street shop back to its original pop-up delivery model.

Name

Discovery Planet C.I.C

Legal name

Discovery Planet C.I.C

Website

https://discoveryplanet.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Discovery Planet C.I.C is a UK Community Interest Company that runs pop-up STEM workshops, planetarium shows, and community events across Ramsgate and Thanet, serving schools, families, and local residents since 2014.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community STEM Education Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)

Keywords

• STEM education workshops
• Community engagement events
• Science communication training
• Pop-up learning spaces
• School educational programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramsgate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Engagement Revenue: Discovery Planet is a social enterprise that reinvests any generated revenue back into producing activities of benefit to the community. Revenue streams include workshop fees, event participation, and potentially school programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Discovery Planet C.I.C delivers accessible STEM learning experiences through pop-up spaces across Ramsgate and the wider Thanet area. Its core offerings include interactive STEM workshops, immersive planetarium experiences, community events and exhibitions, a Schools Programme, and science communication training for postgraduate students.

Product overview

Discovery Planet C.I.C is a social enterprise that delivers a programme of accessible learning experiences from pop-up spaces across Ramsgate and the wider Thanet area. The organization operates a unified offering centered on community STEM engagement, combining Pop-up Learning Spaces as the primary venue model with Interactive STEM Workshops, Planetarium Experiences, Community Events and Exhibitions, and a Schools Programme. Founded in 2014, the organization transforms underused shops and public spaces into inspiring environments where hands-on science activities take place. The portfolio also includes Science Communication Training services and a podcast content offering. Revenue generated is reinvested into community benefit activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interactive STEM Workshops Hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops delivered across Ramsgate and Thanet, with emphasis on broadening participation in STEM. Workshops are designed to be accessible and inclusive for community participants of all ages.
• Planetarium Experiences Immersive planetarium shows and astronomy-related educational experiences delivered to schools and community audiences across Thanet.
• Community Events and Exhibitions Public events and exhibitions that bring science engagement to the wider Thanet area, including themed programmes such as CircusScience, hosted in pop-up venues and public spaces.
• Schools Programme Educational outreach programme for primary and secondary schools in the Thanet area, bridging classroom learning with community-based, hands-on STEM experiences. Bookings are handled through a dedicated schools contact ([email protected]).
• Science Communication Training Training service for postgraduate students and others, including public engagement training, delivered by Director and STEM Lead Dr Vicky Mason.
• Discovery Planet Podcast Discovery Planet podcast distributed through Ramsgate Radio, featuring science communication and community engagement content.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30,000 people have enjoyed interactive workshops, events and exhibitions

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• British Science AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscovery Planet was mentioned in the British Science Association's 2018 Impact Report, indicating recognition of their public engagement work.
• Turner ContemporaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNikki Hildesley worked on the 'Art Inspiring Change' project at Turner Contemporary, Margate (2016-2018), establishing creative education partnerships.
• A+C StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNikki Hildesley works as an ongoing animation producer at A+C Studios for creative content development.
• Folkestone TriennialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNikki Hildesley was part of the PM team for the production of 2 x Folkestone Triennials (2021 + 2025), demonstrating cross-regional creative partnerships.
• Makers House RamsgateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNikki Hildesley is working with Makers House in Ramsgate developing a programme for the inaugural Ramsgate Craft Festival (May 2027).
• University of KentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Vicky Mason was a Senior Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kent for over 10 years. The organization collaborates with university researchers for STEM workshop development and delivery.
• Imperial College LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscovery Planet was featured as an example of best practice in a book published by Imperial College, indicating academic recognition and knowledge sharing.
• DCMSminorOthersLogo visible on funders and partners page, indicating government funding support.
• Various Trusts and FundersminorOthersMultiple trust logos visible on the website indicating funding support for community programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• British Science Association: National organization running the British Science Week and community engagement programmes. Comparable as an enabler/funder in the same STEM public engagement ecosystem that Discovery Planet operates in.
• Ogden Trust: UK charity that funds and partners with physics education programmes and widening-participation projects. Comparable because Discovery Planet is a recipient/grantee, and Ogden shapes the same partnership ecosystem.
• National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement: UK body that recognizes and supports high-quality public engagement with research. Comparable as a peer/recognizer in the science-communication ecosystem (Discovery Planet has been commended by them).

Direct peers

• Techniquest: Wales-based science discovery centre with a schools outreach and community STEM engagement mission. Comparable as a UK STEM engagement charity with planetarium-style exhibits and a school programs portfolio.
• Science Made Simple: Welsh-based social enterprise running mobile, hands-on STEM workshops and shows that travel to schools and community venues across the UK. Closely comparable to Discovery Planet's travelling-workshop, community-pop-up STEM delivery model.
• Science Oxford: Oxford-based STEM outreach charity running hands-on workshops, public events, and widening-participation programmes. Comparable as a UK non-profit focused on broadening participation in STEM, similar target audience and inclusive ethos.
• Mad Science UK: Franchise that delivers in-school and after-school STEM workshops, assemblies, and special events across the UK. Comparable as a provider of paid, instructor-led hands-on science programming to schools and families.

Broad incumbents

• Big Bang UK: UK-wide STEM engagement programme delivering large-scale STEM fairs and school activities. Comparable in mission of widening STEM participation across schools and communities.
• Winchester Science Centre: Larger fixed-venue UK science centre operating planetarium, schools programmes, and community outreach. Comparable as a regional STEM engagement organization, though operating from a permanent venue.
• W5 Belfast: Northern Ireland's interactive science discovery centre with schools programmes and outreach. Comparable as a regional STEM engagement institution with community programming focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/discovery-planet-c-i-c

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Discovery Planet C.I.C