The Ignition Programme offers pre-incubation training over a core 4-day programme held over 4 weeks. In 2026, there are two editions in Spring and Fall. The programme is specially designed to improve your ESA BIC application, resulting in a higher chance of acceptance. It will be of interest to entrepreneurs wishing to develop an insight-driven and validated business plan. The next deadline is Thu 6 Aug (by 23:59h) and will open for applications in June. Sign up for news to receive updates. (TIP: click the relevant check box for the Ignition Programme to be sure to get notifications.) Get inspiration to apply from this success story.
If you have a validated space business idea, you can apply to ESA BIC. Join the next info session to find out more!
Not sure which to go for, click here (opens as PDF).
2026 Spring Edition
Application Deadline: Thu 5 Feb (by 23:59h)
Training takes place at SBIC on the following days: Fri 20 Feb, Fri 27 Feb, Fri 6 Mar and Tue 10 Mar
The SBIC community is invited to join the Ignition Programme Finale with Pitches & Networking (from 14:00 at SBIC on 10 Mar)
For who?
Let’s say you have a great idea but you didn’t do the basic research to make it a real business yet. Then, it’s time to take that idea to the next level by signing up for our dedicated pre-incubation training. You will join us for the core programme of 4 days (spread over 4 weeks) and some additional (checkpoint) sessions. We created this programme for the following groups of people:
- People who want to join the ESA BIC incubation programme with a more mature application (researching the space link of their company, checking technical feasibility and analysing market opportunities);
- People who want to start a company related to space – and who want to validate their business idea;
- Entrepreneurs with a space related startup not older than 3 years (or that needs to be founded yet) who want to refine their business model.
What is the goal?
The programme will help to develop and strengthen promising ideas by guiding startups through the what, how and why of market validation. In addition, the programme provides support for preparing and submitting a strong application to ESA BIC.
Participants need to be EU citizens and be permanent residents in the Netherlands; or non-EU citizens with a permanent working permit in the Netherlands. Please check if you are eligible before applying. Click here to access the application form.
Take steps to success
These successful startups all took part in the Ignition Programme before joining ESA BIC:
2C Degrees | Marmoris | Mapture | Revolv | Shore Systems | Soilspect | Spherical
What’s in the programme?
Participants will learn to test assumptions, engage effectively with potential customers, identify their unique value proposition and explore relevant business model frameworks, ultimately enabling them to build an insight-driven, validated business plan. The core training will mostly take place on Fridays at SBIC from mid-February to mid-March, with the final day on a Tuesday when you will share what you’ve learned with the entire SBIC community. Contact us if you have questions.
Key aspects:
The course will drill down into key areas – mindset, value and validation – that will help you as you take the first steps for your business. Over the duration of the course at the space business hub in Noordwijk, you will be embedded within the SBIC community. Take every opportunity to learn and work alongside successful entrepreneurs. Boost confidence in your idea as you develop an insight-driven business plan.
Startup Mindset
Learn all the ins and outs of building a startup with an open mind in order to learn faster.
Understand Your Value
Define a problem to tackle, see how others attempt to solve it, identify your unique value.
Business Validation
Identify a market for your product, learn all the do’s and don’ts, define a revenue model.
Incubator Experience
Get entrepreneurial experience in a business incubator as you find your place in the space sector.
Community Benefits
Gain access to SBIC facilities, attend relevant events, embed yourself in the space network.
Pitch Competition
Put your idea to the test on stage in front of your peers and the space business community.
What participants say
The Ignition Programme provided us with the perfect launchpad to lift off our business.
The Ignition Programme gave us the support we needed. We had the opportunity to learn and think along brilliant people who helped us mature our idea into a promising business plan.
I joined the Ignition Programme as it would be beneficial to me for improving my chances when it came to applying to ESA BIC. If someone has a technical background, it’s especially useful because it provides a systematic understanding of launching a tech business rather than fragmented bits and pieces.
The Ignition Programme was pivotal to go from an idea to the first steps of building a business. It provided excellent insight on developing and understanding the core customer value proposition, as well as guidance on the practicalities of starting a company.
Location
The Ignition Programme is held at SBIC Noordwijk. Here, you will find ESA BIC startups and members of the space business community. You will be at SBIC for all the (compulsory) dates of the programme, as well perhaps optional (and highly recommended) date(s).
Ok, now what?
Although the programme is designed to fit the needs of most founders, its main purpose is to be a pre-incubation programme to ESA BIC Noordwijk. This means a space connection is advised before applying to the Ignition Programme.
Please note: the ESA BIC programme works with an open call, so the Ignition Programme is not obligatory. However, to increase your changes of a successful application round, we highly recommend it! Even if you missed out on the summer Ignition Programme, you can still apply for ESA BIC.
The programme will be in English.
If you have questions, be sure to plan a meeting with us:
ESA BIC is open for applications
Create a strong start for your space related business