The deadline for the new ESA BIC Noordwijk program application is set. You have until May 8 to fill in your application. With recent global developments in mind: here’s what you need to know.
Last year we welcomed 4 new companies to our program (Meandair, HDES, Feverr and Mapture). This year, we reignited the Ignition Program as a pre-incubation trajectory. We expected even more qualitative companies to add in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak we had to postpone that program.
This doesn’t mean the applications to ESA BIC are postponed. The Ignition Program is a physical event, but applying to ESA BIC can be done entirely remote.
COVID-19 measures
We have extended the deadline to Friday May 8 – 23:59
Important note for those who are selected: presentations for the Tender Evaluation Board (TEB) will be done online (May 27 and 28).
This means a new round of the ESA BIC program probably will start before the summer. Applying to this space startup program can be quite the task. So here are some general tips for your application:
1. Start in time and read the application criteria thoroughly.
Our experience is that it takes at least a week to fill in everything and get all the necessary additional documents.
2. Give special attention to the space link, the technical feasibility and the validated idea.
Space link and technical feasibility are of most importance to the Tender Evaluation Board (consisting ESA, NSO and SBIC Noordwijk among others). Next to that a validated idea is necessary in every incubation program around the world.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Starting a business, especially in the space industry, doesn’t come off easy. A need-to-have skill for every entrepreneur is knowing when to ask for help. So don’t be afraid to ask for help or to send your questions to Martijn Leinweber (m.leinweber@sbicnoordwijk.nl).
We are here to support the people who dare to take the leap!
