ESA BIC Estonia

The European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre in Estonia (ESA BIC Estonia) is the first of its kind in the Baltics. It is part of a Europe-wide network of 18 space business incubators. The goal of the incubator is to help Estonian startups enter the international market by offering them startup funding of 60,000 euros for product or service development along with specialised mentoring.

The lead partner of ESA BIC Estonia is Tartu Science Park, which collaborates with the Tehnopol Science and Business Park to provide incubation services in both Tallinn and Tartu.

If you have an innovative idea for using space technologies or are developing applications to create new products and services outside the space environment, the programme can offer:

• • Up to 60,000 euros of support for product development and intellectual property protection

• • 50 hours of business consultancy, with 10 hours of intellectual property mentoring, and 20 hours of technical assistance

• • Access to ESA BIC’s international network

• • A 50,000-euro business development loan

• • Administrative support and office space

• • The right to use the ESA BIC trademark

Who can apply?

• • Companies with an innovative idea using space-related technology, knowledge, or applications, but targeting a non-space market

• • Companies that are no more than five years old or are newly established

• • Companies founded by a European citizen with a team that can work in Tartu or Tallinn

What is the connection to space?

A connection to space can be any terrestrial use of satellite data, positioning, satellite communications, or other technology developed for use in space.

When can you apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time, and they are collected twice a year.

What is expected in the application?

The application must contain a business plan and an incubation offer and should be about 40 pages long in total.

Programme topics

New startups are accepted into the programme twice a year in spring and autumn. Participants can request support from mentors as needed in addition to the focus topics. The programme director can always suggest the right mentor or community contact to address specific questions.

Focus topics of the programme:

• • Sales and intellectual property

• • Management training and soft skills

• • Finances and preparation for sTARTUp Day

• • Marketing training and the sTARTUp Day festival

Find more information on the ESA BIC website

The ESA BIC Estonia consortium consists of eight partners: Tartu Science Park, Tehnopol Science and Business Park, Tartu City, the City of Tallinn, the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu Observatory, and Kredex.