ESA BIC (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centres)
ESA Business Incubation Centres
Status not published
Each ESA BIC runs its own call, most with two to four cut-offs per year (commonly spring and autumn). There is almost always an open ESA BIC call somewhere in Europe.
EUR 50k equity-free funding for product and IP development plus up to two years of incubation, technical support from ESA experts, business coaching, legal/IPR advice and fundraising guidance.
European Space Agency with national and regional co-funding partners
ppp · supranational
Deadline: Fixed cut-off dates — Each ESA BIC runs its own call, most with two to four cut-offs per year (commonly spring and autumn). There is almost always an open ESA BIC call somewhere in Europe.
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
- micro enterprises
- Sectors: space, deeptech
- Stage: pre-seed and seed
- Locally registered entity required
Entrepreneurs developing applications that use space-based systems, use space technologies in a non-space domain, or innovative products/services for the space sector; apply to an individual ESA BIC before its cut-off date (a company can be registered at contract signing).
How to apply
- Choose the ESA BIC in the country/region where you will be based
- Check that your product has a genuine space link (space technology used on Earth, or a downstream service using satellite data/navigation/communications)
- Submit the BIC application form and business plan by the local cut-off
- Technical and business review, then jury interview
- Incubation agreement and start of the two-year programme
What you will need
- Business plan
- Description of the space technology link
- Financial projections
- Company registration or intent to incorporate
Related reading: How grant deadlines actually work · The EU SME definition (Recommendation 2003/361) · Co-funding and match funding, explained
Source. https://commercialisation.esa.int/esa-business-incubation-centres/
"Up to two years of business incubation at an ESA BIC of your choice. EUR 50k equity free funding for product and IP development."
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: commercialisation.esa.int
Report an error Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.
Similar programmes
Innowwide (Eureka market feasibility vouchers)
Closes in 50 daysEureka Association with EU funding
ESA Business Incubation Centre network
Open continuouslyEuropean Space Agency (ESA) with national and regional co-funders
EIT Health Headstart
Usually opens in February and AprilEIT Health
EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support to Startups
Closes in 35 daysEIT Urban Mobility (European Institute of Innovation and Technology Knowledge and Innovation Community)
EIT HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education
Usually opens in October and FebruaryEIT (implemented by EIT RawMaterials on behalf of the EIT Community)
EIT Culture & Creativity start-up support
Closes in 18 daysEIT Culture & Creativity
Free
Get deadline alerts for European Union programmes
One email when a programme in your country closes in 2 weeks or 3 days, or newly opens. No spam, one click to stop. Covers every programme in the country you pick. Free covers one country; a paid plan can watch as many as you like.
Paid, separate from Unclaimed
Want a human to review your application?
Involve Consulting can help — a paid expert-review service run by the same person behind Unclaimed, entirely separate from this free check. A flat fee, agreed up front; never a cut of what you receive.
Talk to Involve Consulting