ESA Space Solutions

ESA Space Solutions is the go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology.

Our programme is designed to provide multiple entry points such as ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs), ESA Technology Transfer Broker Network, ESA Business Application Ambassadors and the ESA Business Applications programme. We can also support your ideas of transferring space technology into non-space markets or vice versa.

ESA Business Applications is part of ESA Space Solutions that supports the development of sustainable services utilising space assets. It provides funding opportunities and expert support to entrepreneurs.

Space assets like satellite data or spaceflight technologies offer many opportunities and solutions to businesses. Are you an entrepreneur, are you running a start-up or an established business? Then you might be interested to apply for our different funding opportunities.

About ESA Business Applications In ESA Business Applications our aim is to show that space is open for business and has the power to improve our everyday lives on Earth. We do this by helping companies to integrate space data and technology into commercial services. Successful applicants receive: -Zero-equity funding (from €60k to €2M+ per activity). -A personalised ESA consultant. -Technical & commercial guidance. -Access to our network of partners. -Credibility of the ESA brand.

We are particularly interested in applications of space technology to previously untapped consumer markets. These services should use one (or more) of the following space assets:

• Spaceflight Technologies
• Satellite Communication
• Satellite Navigation
• Satellite Earth Observation
• Space Weather

How to Apply There are two main ways to apply for ESA Business Applications support & funding. In our Open Call for Proposals, you can submit your ideas on any topic at any time of the year. With Competitive Tenders, you can respond to one of our thematic calls for proposals.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR Despite working in space, we have our feet firmly on the ground when it comes to business and we expect our partners to be the same. We’re looking for teams that have identified a market opportunity that’s attractive and has real potential for engaging customers. Motivation, business experience and industry domain expertise are key. But most importantly of all, we want to hear business ideas that are commercially viable, technically possible and involve either space tech or data.

Businesses can apply for funding from ESA Business Applications in two main ways: through our Open Call for Proposals and through our Competitive Tenders. In both cases, you are expected to already be engaged in commercial or developmental activities within your target sectors. If you are an individual person or company, you may wish to partner with others in order to increase your ability to deliver end-to-end solutions.

In order to obtain funding from ESA, your company will need to be registered with us on our ESA-STAR system. In addition, access to all of our current and upcoming tenders is available on ESA-STAR system Please note that funding participation is open to groups, organisations and businesses that reside in ESA member states that subscribe to the program. To date, these countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The size and nature of any potential funding involved is subject to authorisation by the involved National Delegation(s). As a result, bidding teams need to obtain a Letter of Authorisation from their national delegations, and include it as part of their full proposal.