European Space Agency Estonian Business Incubation (ESA BIC Estonia), which is part of the world’s largest incubation Network, is waiting for space-related companies to apply for 50 000 € grant.
ESA has 20 incubation centres that have helped to create more than 700 startups and thousands of new jobs. “Eight high-tech companies with global potential have joined the incubation during the first year. They have created 23 new jobs and show good growth in turnover,” explains Tartu Science Park board member and ESA BIC Estonia manager Andrus Kurvits.
Zubax Robotics OÜ and Precision Navigation Systems OÜ (PRNS) joined the incubator at the beginning of this year. PRNS offers a solution for super accurate satellite-navigation and positioning in real-time. Zubax Robotics provides ≈10% more energy-efficient electric motor controllers for aerospace applications.
ESA BIC Estonia is open to up to five year old companies and science-based solutions that have market potential. „sTARTUp Day 2019, the biggest business festival in the Baltics, hosted the first and only Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang who explained how scientific discoveries helps to further the innovation and gave new ideas for entrepreneurs and researchers. Investors Stephan Reckie (GEN Space) and Jose Achache (ALTYN) encouraged startups to create new high added value products based on space technologies, discoveries and data“ explained Kurvits and added „Besides financial support the incubatees get the right to use the ESA BIC brand, access to the international network of ESA and ESA BIC start-ups. Plus Access to ESA Technology Transfer Program and ESA Intellectual Property, discoveries that can be integrated or made into new commercial products.“
„Space business incubator sounds really specific, but the truth is that it is open to companies from various fields, developing different products and services. We invite companies to find space connections in their main business to add value to existing products and create profitable new ones,” explained Martin Goroško, the head of Tehnopol Startup Incubator. “European Space Agency offers many possibilities to build and market new products, services and materials based on ESA patents. Incubator gives 50 000€ development support and the help of experts to commercialise novel products” added Goroško.
ESA BIC Estonia can help applicants to determine their space connection and advise them during the application process. Application deadline for next call is 8th of March 2018! For further information about applying look at https://www.esabic.ee/
Incubation Programme helps to develop space-related business ideas by offering technical support and business advice via mentoring and consulting. European wide ESA incubation network supports 140 start-ups every year at its 20 centres in 17 countries
ESA BIC Estonia is first of its kind in the Baltic States. Its goal is to help 20 companies reach international market during the five year period by providing them 50 000 € seed money and industry-specific mentorship.
ESA BIC Estonia offers incubation services in Tartu and in Tallinn respectively in Tartu Science Park and in Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol.
ESA BIC Estonia Consortium has eight partners: Tartu Science Park (lead partner), Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, City of Tartu, City of Tallinn, University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, UT Tartu Observatory, and Kredex.