Does that sound unbelievable to you too? Why would one of the most prestigious space agencies in the world support small teams just starting out? The answer is surprisingly simple. It’s an effective way to quickly find innovative solutions to current pressing problems, and at a fraction of the cost. Startups working in small teams don’t yet have big investors behind them, but they do have the appetite to create and find new approaches. That’s where the European Space Agency (ESA) comes in with its largest network of business incubators, ESA BIC.
Instead of traditional and costly processes, ESA relies on long-term support for small, motivated teams that can experiment and quickly bring a final product to market, which is crucial today to stay competitive and to further develop the space industry.
A key instrument of this support is the ESA BIC (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre) network. It helps startups to develop space technologies with an impact on everyday life on Earth and with the ambition to succeed directly in orbit or in space. From monitoring the microclimate of cities, simulating space missions to Earth, to authenticating artwork with special X-rays and satellites lighter than one kilogram. These are just some of the more than 60 projects supported by the domestic branches of the ESA BIC Czech Republic incubator in Prague and Brno. Behind the creation of these projects there has always been a strong idea and teams of enthusiasts who have been helped by the incubator to turn an idea into a real and often internationally successful business.
Startups not only get €50,000 to develop their technology, but also unique know-how and contacts that are essential for success in such a specific field. At the same time, this will gradually grow a stronger space ecosystem in all 23 ESA Member States. This approach is a long-term and well thought-out part of a strategy that has already succeeded in supporting more than 2,000 startups across Europe.
Moreover, many of these startups are further developing after a successful incubation phase and are gradually getting involved in concrete projects directly for ESA. Initially small teams are thus becoming technology partners delivering specialised solutions, components or services for European space missions. This natural progression from idea to real collaboration with ESA shows that supporting start-ups is not a one-off boost but a long-term investment in the capabilities and competitiveness of the whole space sector.
The ESA BIC Czech Republic support is continuously open to anyone who wants to apply for financial and professional support with their innovative idea in the field of space technology or its practical application. This year, the incubator celebrates ten years since the establishment of its first office in the Czechia, which represents a significant milestone not only for the programme itself, but also for the entire Czech space ecosystem.
Thanks to this, the Czechia is becoming an increasingly visible player in the European space sector. And it is from garages, small offices or student teams that the next chapter of the Czech journey into space is emerging today.
Source: ESA BIC Czech Republic
