ESA Business Incubation Centre network
ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC)
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
EUR 50,000 equity-free funding for product and IP development, plus up to two years of incubation, technical support from ESA experts, business coaching, legal and IPR advice and fundraising support.
European Space Agency (ESA) with national and regional co-funders
ppp · supranational
Deadline: cutoff — Each ESA BIC runs its own call cycle with published cut-off dates, typically two to four per year. 36 centres across 23 European countries with over 100 locations; more than 2,000 startups supported.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- Under 5 years old
- Sectors: space, deeptech
- Stage: idea, pre_seed, seed
- Locally registered entity required
Business must either use space-based systems (satellite navigation, Earth observation, satellite communication), use space technologies in a non-space domain, or develop innovative products and services for the space sector. Company must be registered in the host country before contract signature; companies must normally be younger than five years.
How to apply
- Contact the local ESA BIC to discuss whether the business idea fits
- Submit the completed application documents before the announced local deadline
- Applications are reviewed by a Tender Opening Board
- Shortlisted applicants present to a Tender Evaluation Board
- On approval, register a company before signing the incubation contract
What you will need
- Business plan
- Technical description of the space link
- Financial plan
- Founder CVs
Source. https://commercialisation.esa.int/esa-business-incubation-centres/ — checked 2026-08-14
"€50k equity free funding for product and IP development"