The network of the European Space Agency’s business incubation centres (ESA BICs) has been powering entrepreneurship with space for 20 years and we are celebrating this achievement during 2024 (follow the hashtag #20yearsESABIC to see what is happening). This unique and highly-ranked programme sees 30 ESA BICs across Europe offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to thrive within a space market ecosystem by providing zero-equity funding, technical and business support, training and connections within the market ecosystem itself. Are you based in the Netherlands and can we support you to develop your space related business idea? Get ready to apply to the ESA BIC Noordwijk programme by the nexy selection deadline by joining the invaluable info sessions.
Attend the info sessions & webinars for application tips: register via here.
ESA’s Dutch business incubation programme is calling for applications from anyone with an innovative and validated business idea based on space technology or data. ESA BIC Noordwijk can exclusively claim that it was the very first incubator of the wider network to be established. Not only that, it also has the unique benefit of being located in the vicinity of ESA’s biggest R&D facility, ESTEC (the European Space Research and Technology Centre). This might even play a contributing factor in explaining why our incubator has seen a recent upturn in startups being selected with innovations relating to upstream space activities. Who knows!
ESA BIC 20 YEARS CELEBRATION: The Dutch business incubation centre of the European Space Agency (ESA BIC Noordwijk) was the first set up by ESA 20 years ago and now the network has expanded to 30 ESA BICs across Europe. During May 2024, this milestone was marked in Tartu, Estonia at the ESA Commercialisation Gateway Network Meeting. The #20yearsESABIC celebrations were launched – yes, that’s 20 years powering entrepreneurship with space – with the anniversary logo unveiled (see top visual). Keep an eye out for articles, stories and podcasts (to be shared here) celebrating the network so far and looking forward to the next 20 years, with sustainability and diversity at the forefront.
Upstream, downstream or tech transfer
Applications are invited from entrepreneurs with a (validated) business idea that uses space technology or data for terrestrial applications or are developing a product or service for the space industry. Since the launch of the Dutch incubator, on average, around 75 percent of startups selected for incubation are utilising space assets or resources for the development of downstream terrestrial applications (see incubatees: 2C Degrees, Aardark Sensing, Celemation, Inframent, Terraprisma, Turtle Island Space). A smaller – yet increasing – percentage concentrate on upstream technologies, such as the design and manufacture of spacecraft systems, subsystems and components (see incubatees: Ceres Space, Revolv Space, Spherical Systems; and alumni: Arceon, Lens R&D). There are also entrepreneurs with technology transfer innovations bringing space tech to terrestrial applications (see alumni: HDES, NeoStove, Skytree).
Clearly explain the space connection
There have been more upstream innovations coming through applications to ESA’s permanent open call in the Netherlands in recent years – seven out of the last twelve startups contracted for the programme (i.e. since the start of Dec 2021 to the end of Dec 2023) have involved new technologies destined for space (so this sees an increase from around 25 percent to over 40 percent). We are eagerly waiting to see what the innovations from the next application round will look like. One thing is certain, when you apply to the programme you need to make sure the space connection of your business proposal is crystal clear. In some cases, it can be evident what the space link is, especially for those entrepreneurs concentrating on upstream technologies or offering technology transfer innovations.
However, for anyone building a business accessing everything that satellites are capable of achieving and looking to use space assets or resources for the development of downstream terrestrial applications, then just stating you will be “using Earth observation data” or “using satellite navigation” is not sufficient. Are you using active or passive remote sensing? Which resolution of satellite imagery are you going to use? Optical or radar imagery? What kind of data are you going to interpret and why? Apply it to which market? From which satellite are you getting data exactly? In order to move forward, you need to know the specifics.
Take note: You also cannot simply just collect data. You need to be carrying out innovative processing with that data to add that extra something to your product. Something innovative that gives your solution its unique selling point.
Assess your business idea’s space connection by filling in the online form
APPLY TO ESA BIC NOORDWIJK
The Dutch business incubation programme of the European Space Agency, ESA BIC Noordwijk, runs an open call for startups to apply to join as an ESA BIC incubatee and reap the benefit that brings – funding, plus technical and business support – as well as being part of our community at SBIC Noordwijk. In this programme, entrepreneurs work with upstream space tech or space related technologies to create impact on Earth. There are two selection rounds per year; one in the springtime and one in fall. You can join the various info sessions to find out more. esa-bic.nl
Prepare your space business idea for lift off!
Discover everything you need to know about the ESA BIC Noordwijk programme.
