The ESA Space Solutions Portugal has opened applications for the ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Portugal, the largest incubation network in Europe, aimed at supporting startups and business ideas that use space data and technologies. The next application deadline is until March 10, 2024.
ESA BIC Portugal is the business incubation center of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Portugal and has a network of 15 incubators, including in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.
The incubation program is intended for entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs (up to five years), researchers, and students looking to create or boost their businesses. Selected projects will receive financial support of 50,000 euros or an investment of up to 125,000 euros in partnership with Portugal Ventures. Applications should be submitted at https://space.ipn.pt/esa-bic-portugal/.
Since 2014, ESA BIC Portugal has been promoting the creation of companies in the space sector, as well as the transfer and commercialization of space technologies, providing commercial and technical support to business ideas that use space technologies for industrial and commercial terrestrial purposes.
To date, ESA BIC Portugal has supported 58 startups that use space technology to innovate and create new products and services. In 2022, these startups generated a total revenue of around 6.2 million euros and an export rate of 60%.
ESA BIC Portugal is supported by ESA, the Portuguese Space Agency, ANACOM – National Communications Authority, and Portugal Ventures.
