Andalusia launches call to boost space startups with up to €60.000

 

ESA BIC Andalucía, the only European Space Agency (ESA) incubation center in the region, has launched its first call for applications to select startups in the space sector. The initiative, managed by the Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC) and supported by the Spanish Space Agency, the Regional Government of Andalusia, and the City of Seville, seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

 

Selected startups will have access to a comprehensive support program that includes up to 60.000 euros of non-refundable financing, 80 hours of technical, legal, and business advice, and integration into a European network of more than 30 ESA incubation centers. This network offers networking opportunities, visibility, and international collaboration.

 

The program is aimed at entrepreneurs who are in the process of creating a startup or at established companies that are less than five years old. Projects must be developing innovative products or services that use space technology, infrastructure or data, or that apply solutions to new areas. The main objective is to attract talent, investment, and foster the creation of companies with the potential for global impact.

 

The call will be open until 31th October 2025Applications can be submitted through the program's official website, where all eligibility criteria and necessary documentation are available.

 

Selected startups will receive up to €60.000, 80 hours of technical, legal, and business support, and access to the ESA BIC network with networking opportunities, visibility, and European collaboration.

 

A comprehensive boost for space development

 

During an incubation period of up to two years, the selected startups will receive a support package that includes:

• Direct financing: €60.000 non-refundable funding for product development or intellectual property protection, contributed equally by ESA (through the AEE) and the Andalusian Regional Government.

• Specialized advice: 80 hours of business coaching, legal consulting, and technical support for the development and validation of solutions.

• Access to infrastructure: Free use of the spaces and resources at the ESA BIC Andalucía center in Seville, located in the former Renfe warehouses, next to the headquarters of the Spanish Space Agency.

• Support in searching for financing: Support in accessing investors and public funds.

• Networking: Opportunities for collaboration and visibility within ESA's network of incubation centers in Europe.

The selection process will be based on the technical and market viability of the projects, their degree of innovation, and their connection to the space sector. A technical committee, including ESA, the AEE, and the Regional Government of Andalusia, will be responsible for analyzing the proposals and selecting the winning companies.

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