Mike is founder of space-tech business Oxford Space Systems (OSS) and co-founder of Oxford Dynamics an AI & robotics company focused on defence & national intelligence.

OSS is internationally recognised for its deployable satellite antennas and is currently one of the highest valued space tech businesses in the UK. OSS is also seen as “strategically important” to the UK defence sector, with much of its work not in the public domain. VC-backed OSS is Mike’s third technology business, with previous ventures including a remote telemetry business built around an idea he had at university and a biofuel technology business that led to a joint venture in India, which won Mike the title of Green Entrepreneur for India 2009.

Lawton was awarded Barclays Bank Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year in Dec 2018 as well jointly sharing the title of Oxfordshire Businessperson of the Year 2018.

Lawton stepped down as CEO of Oxford Space Systems in 2019 after over 6 years in office to focus on current venture, Oxford Dynamics (OD) with co-founders Shefali Sharma and Dr Eddie Jackson. OD secured the first ever Enterprise Framework Agreement with MoD in 2023 for generative AI, worth £2m. This increased to £10m in early 2025. The company also secured a £1.1m contract with Defra to develop an intelligent robot for chemical and incident response that was featured on BBC TV.

Oxford Dynamics signed a strategic investment agreement with BAE Systems plc in May 2025, representing BAE’s first strategic investment in a start-up.

Oxford Dynamics was awarded Best New Business 2022 at the Oxfordshire Business Awards.

Mike was also an advisor to the NATO Innovation Unit, assisting with establishing the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) technology programme.

Mike is a keen supporter of STEM activities in schools and colleges across the UK and believes in the need to excite the UK’s future generation of engineers and scientists. Mike has given several keynote speeches including the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Christmas Lecture, as well as at numerous universities both in the UK and overseas.