ESA Business Incubation Centre Belgium (BIC)

Your start-up should develop:​

• Space-based solutions leveraging satellite data, e.g., navigation, Earth observation, communication (spin-ins)
• Space technologies driving cross-sector innovation outside the space domain (spin-outs)​
• New products and services for the space sector​

Your Technology Readiness Level (TRL) should be at least 3, as you will need to show that your project is more than just a concept on paper​

You will receive a financial incentive of 60k EUR from ESA, as well as business, technical, and legal coaching. Additionally, you will be part of BeCentral’s extensive network of start-ups and innovators​

The incentive can only be spent in Belgium and for product development expenses, IPR protection, and to a limited extent third-party consultancy. Labour costs of employees are eligible, but not those of the founders or anyone who owns shares of the company. Please contact the ESA BIC for specific questions. Please refer to open call documentation

Yes, you can download them here

The call is open all year long, however there are only a set number of evaluation boards per year. If your proposal is submitted past the current submission deadline, it will still be evaluated, but at the next evaluation board.

The projects are evaluated two to three times per year, as long as they meet the formal requirements. ​

You can contact the incubation team at incubation@space-business.be​

Yes, however you are encouraged to improve your application before reapplying