Who are we looking for?
The ESA BIC programme is looking for visionary entrepreneurs seeking to transform their space-based ideas into successful businesses. We target start-ups developing:
Space-based solutions, leveraging satellite navigation, earth observation, or satellite communication (spin-ins)
Space technologies for non-space industries, driving cross-sector innovation (spin-outs).
New products and services for the space sector, shaping the future of space tech.
Who can apply?
Company registered
in Belgium (or in the
process of registering)
Provable space
connection
No more than
5 years old
Viable business
plan
ESA BIC Highlights
| Funding | Incubation period |
Coaching | Networks |
| 60k in equity-free funding |
12-24 months incl. 6 months powered |
50 hours of business coaching 20 hours of technical coaching 10 hours of legal coaching |
Access to ESA BIC network of startups and alumni Access to BeCentral and WAF communities |
We assist early-stage start-ups with space-based business ideas by providing 60k EUR equity-free funding and guidance on developing their company’s product and commercial activities.
Through our partnership with BeCentral’s highly-regarded “We are Founders” programme, successful applicants have access to office space within a vibrant start-up community in the heart of Brussels, as well as receiving 80 hours of expert technical, legal, and business coaching.
Leverage Novaspace’s space expertise and BeCentral’s business network, and transform your concept into a reality alongside entrepreneurs and future innovation leaders.
BIC powered by WAF
The ESA BIC in Belgium is powered by the We are Founders (WAF) programme at BeCentral in Brussels. This means that for six months of the total 12–24-month incubation period, ESA BIC startups are integrated into the We Are Founders start-up community for workshops, coaching, networking, and training on how to develop their businesses, alongside peers from other sectors.
This provides BIC incubatees with a start-up ecosystem environment in which they have valuable opportunities to hone their business skills, from strategy and operations, to product and service development, to investor outreach and customer engagement, among others.
The WAF programme is divided into two phases of three months, each covering a different developmental stage of the early start-up lifecycle: Build and Grow.
| WAF programme | BUILD | GROW |
| TIMING | 3 months | 3 months |
| GOALS | Define your solution |
Gain commercial traction |
| Blocks | Five blocks to complete:
Block 1. Founder foundations |
Five blocks to complete:
Block 6. Product-market fit |
| DELIVERABLES | 12 weeks to develop a business model and prototype a Minimum Viable Product | 12 weeks to validate the product-market fit and generate first sales |
| EVENT | Product night | Customer night |
For more information on We are Founders: WeAreFounders – A 6-month fast track programme to launch your start-up
Application steps and timeline
Check your eligibility (see section above)
Contact the team to discuss your idea, the application process, and the support we can provide, before the next submission deadline
9 Nov
Reach out to BIC team if you have questions
Submit the full application document by the next viable deadline
Block the date of the next Selection Board and wait for your results
9 Nov
About us
ESA BIC Belgium is part of a Europe-wide network of ESA Business Incubation Centres providing invaluable opportunities for start-ups to connect with business partners and scale their ventures.
Our collaboration with the Business Ambassador Programme also ensures continued support beyond incubation, helping you expand you business further.
FAQ
You need to be a young (< 5 years old) company registered in Belgium, with a provable space connection and solid business plan.
Reach out to apply
If you would like to apply, please send us an email with the form below. Don’t forget to download all the relevant documentation!
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