Coimbra Invest Summit 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of ESA Space Solutions Portugal
On October 10, the Coimbra Invest Summit 2024 marked a significant milestone: the 10th anniversary of ESA Space Solutions Portugal, coordinated by Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN). This celebration highlighted a decade of fostering entrepreneurship and technology transfer in the space sector, underscoring the vital role space technologies have played in boosting the local economy. The summit placed a special focus on how startups are helping to shape the future of space innovation, driving economic growth not just in Coimbra, but across Portugal.
ESA Space Solutions Portugal: A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, ESA Space Solutions Portugal has been a key driver in developing Portugal’s space industry. Through initiatives like ESA BIC Portugal, ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal, and ESA Spark 4 Tech Portugal, the program has supported an ecosystem that integrates space technologies into a broad range of industries. These initiatives have empowered startups to turn advanced space research into practical, market-ready solutions, playing a pivotal role in Portugal’s socioeconomic development.
This milestone, celebrated during the summit, reflects ESA Space Solutions Portugal’s success in nurturing space technology-driven innovation. It has fueled entrepreneurship and created a thriving community of startups that utilize space technologies in unique and impactful ways.
Startups Leading the Way in Space Innovation
A key highlight of the summit was an exhibition showcasing a diverse array of pioneering startups that have benefited from ESA Space Solutions’ entrepreneurial programs. These companies are using space-based technologies in innovative ways to address challenges across various sectors:
Atlar Innovation (ESA BIC Portugal) delivers innovative products and services focusing on Space, Defense, Industry 4.0, and Big Data sectors. “ESA-BIC Portugal is leveraging the company to deliver a new solution that will transform satellite launch operations with an innovative communication and tracking system, tailored for launch vehicles that may benefit small portable launcher companies as part of New Space initiatives”, stated Miguel Bergano, CEO of Atlar Innovation.
Connected (ESA BIC PT, ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal) is transforming the Internet of Things (IoT) by using space technology to build resilient connectivity. “We are fully committed to developing an integrated IoT connectivity service on board Earth observation satellites,” said Raquel Magalhães, Co-Founder and COO. “With 80% of the planet lacking communication coverage, we rely on space infrastructures to bridge this gap, helping to close the global digital divide.”
Entangled (ESA BIC Portugal) pioneers quantum computing for secure communication. Founder & CEO Rui Semide shared that “ESA Space Solutions Portugal has been crucial to our development. The support enabled us to expand Quantum Key Distribution from ground-based to space technologies, allowing us to develop a precision pointing system essential for CubeSats. ESA Space Solutions helped plant the seed, and we’re committed to advancing quantum-safe communications.”
Ethiack (ESA Spark 4 Tech Portugal) enhances cybersecurity with advanced space technologies. “In our early days, ESA Space Solutions Portugal provided vital support for our project, COSMO, a specialized vulnerability detection tool for the aerospace sector,” explained Júlia Pires, Communications Manager. “This backing was crucial for us to improve our skills, test the market, and explore growth opportunities in this strategic field.”
FiberSight (ESA BIC Portugal) combines fiber optics and satellite communication to improve remote sensing for water leak monitoring. CEO Tiago Neves commented that “our ESA-BIC-PT project was essential for developing and testing our prototype in real conditions, incorporating space technologies that brought innovative functionalities to our product. This progress attracted our first investor and helped us build a dedicated team.”
Green Space (ESA BIC Portugal) applies space-derived data to monitor climate change and support conservation efforts. Co-founder and CEO Yevgen Rokytskyi highlighted that IPN Space team and PT Space have been, are and will remain the key counsels for our start-up in further developing its products, and tapping primarily the European and adjacent markets. ESA-BIC-PT played a crucial role in integrating our technology and team into the local deep- and space-tech ecosystem, making us visible globally.”
JSIO (ESA BIC Portugal) specializes in imaging and optical systems for cutting-edge space-based observation solutions. Their project FireDat combines imagery and geospatial data from Copernicus Earth Observation Satellites, Galileo GNSS positioning, and satellite communication with environmental sensors and wearables to provide real-time data on the location and well-being of firefighters in wildfire scenarios. CEO Ricardo Cardoso stated “FireDat is in its final development phase, and ESA BIC Portugal has been instrumental in its implementation. All the support provided and the team’s availability have been essential for its realization; thank you for your support.”
OWL Places (ESA BIC PT, ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal) uses satellite imagery and geospatial data for urban planning and sustainability initiatives. “ESA Space Solutions Portugal’s support was instrumental in growing our project, which uses satellite imagery to guide clients in meeting sustainability goals,” said Pedro Resendeco-founder of OWL Places. “Our data helps cities and organizations strategically plan and measure progress on decarbonization and environmental targets globally.”
PURR.ai (ESA BIC Portugal) leverages AI to analyze space data for predictive maintenance, supporting infrastructure resilience. Co-founder Irina Moreira remarked that “the partnership with ESA Space Solutions Portugal has been transformative. This support enables PURR.AI to leverage advanced space-based computational resources and enhances our platform to achieve unprecedented precision in peptide design. Such collaboration positions PURR.AI to overcome the blood-brain barrier challenge and accelerate the development of treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, addressing a significant unmet medical need.”
Spotlite (ESA BIC Portugal, ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal) uses AI and space data for advanced risk analytics in critical infrastructure. Co-founder Martino Correia emphasized that “ESA Space Solutions was fundamental to our growth, providing both technical and financial support. Programs like ESA BIC helped us bring advanced Earth observation-based risk monitoring solutions to market.”
TeroMovigo (ESA BIC PT, ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal) is innovating in sustainable transportation with advanced geo-technological solutions that leverage drone and satellite technology. “Our company focuses on hardware solutions for geo-applications, leveraging drone and satellite technology in our services,” said Machiel Bos, CTO of TeroMovigo. He emphasized the critical role ESA BIC Portugal has played in their journey, noting that “ESA BIC Portugal’s support has been instrumental in enabling us to bring advanced geo-technological solutions to market, paving the way for innovative applications across industries.” With the support of the Spark 4 Business program, TeroMovigo has even used drones to monitor the sealing of radioactive waste from uranium mines, a vital environmental application that underscores the impact of space technologies on sustainability efforts.
YouShip (ESA Spark 4 Business Portugal) improves global logistics with space-based tracking and automation. Leonel Simão noted that “the Spark 4 Business program was invaluable, providing technical, economic, and financial feasibility support for our robotics project. The ongoing guidance from ESA Space Solutions and access to networking and ESA’s community empowered us to enhance our project.”
Each of these startups represents the diversity and scope of innovation happening within Portugal’s space sector, showcasing how space technologies can be applied to various industries, from cybersecurity to environmental preservation and urban development.
The Growing Role of Startups in the Space Economy
The involvement of these startups in programs like ESA BIC Portugal and ESA Spark Funding Portugal highlights the far-reaching potential of space technologies beyond their traditional aerospace applications. Companies like Connected and TeroMovigo are utilizing space tech to improve IoT networks and transportation systems, while Entangled and OWL Places demonstrate how quantum computing and satellite data can reshape fields like secure communication and urban planning.
These companies illustrate the increasing influence of space-based innovation in various industries, with startups applying satellite data, AI, and advanced sensors to create solutions that address societal challenges and push technological boundaries in multiple sectors.
Coimbra’s Role in the Future of Space Technologies
As Coimbra positions itself as a key player in Portugal’s growing space economy, the contributions of these startups—and the continued support from ESA Space Solutions Portugal—are crucial to the region’s success. Coimbra is becoming a dynamic center where space technology meets entrepreneurship, creating a vibrant ecosystem that promises to drive the space sector forward.
The Coimbra Invest Summit 2024 not only celebrated the achievements of ESA Space Solutions Portugal over the past 10 years but also reinforced the idea that startups will continue to be a key force in shaping the future of space technologies and their applications on Earth.
With the synergy between space innovation and entrepreneurship growing stronger, Coimbra is solidifying its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge technology development. This ensures that the city, the region, and its innovative startups will remain at the forefront of both space exploration and practical applications that address pressing challenges on Earth. The next decade promises even greater strides in space entrepreneurship, making Coimbra a leading player in the global space economy.
