Building Space Businesses

The first and only space incubator in Southern Italy part of ESA Business Incubation Centre network.

We support startups and early-stage teams building space-connected products, at any stage, across any industry. We give you €50,000 in non-dilutive funding, technical and business mentorship and access to the biggest European Space network

We support startups and early-stage teams building space-connected products, at any stage, across any industry. We give you:

- €50,000 in non-dilutive funding, zero equity, zero repayment

- 140 hours of technical, business, and legal mentorship

- Access to 70+ investors via the ESA Investor Network

- ESA BIC network spanning 32 centres in 20+ countries

- Labs, office space, and R&D infrastructure

Get Started

Managed by

Supported by

Incentive for Incubatees co-financed by

Space is more than rockets and satellites

We look for applications across any domain that use space-related data, technology, or components.

Have a question? Send us a message

Basic Checklist for application

You have a startup under 5 years old or a brilliant idea ready to become one

The business/ The Idea has a clear space-connection

Business Incorporated/To be Incorporated in Italy

Min. 50% self-owned

Space- Related Domain Examples

Integrated Connectivity · Human Spaceflight · Aviation Applications · Security & Defence · Digital Engineering · In-Space Manufacturing · Advanced Materials · Ground Segment · Mission Control · Space Robotics · Photonics · Blue Economy · Life Sciences

High-Performance Computing · Finance, Investment & Insurance · Environmental Monitoring · Satellite Communications · Advanced Manufacturing · Emergency Management · In-Orbit Servicing · Maritime Surveillance · Space Propulsion · Quantum Technologies · Additive Manufacturing · Smart Cities · Spacecrafts · Payloads

Positioning, Navigation & Timing · Cybersecurity of Space Systems · Transport & Logistics · Guidance, Navigation & Control · Disaster Risk Reduction · Agriculture & Food · Space Stations · Optical Systems · Satellites · Energy · GNSS · Health · Tourism · Rockets

What we Offer

Mentoring for Success

Business cases and execution differentiate great ideas from great startups. You bring the idea and its underlying technology. We'll help you turn it into a great startup through tailored technical, business, and legal mentorship, as well as access to our extensive network.

Non-Equity Funding

We provide up to €50,000 in non-dilutive funding to accelerate your R&D, product development, and market entry. You keep full ownership of your company.

ESA Network Access

Direct access to the ESA BIC network of over 2,000 startups, agencies, corporate partners, and investors, connections to the ESA Investor Network (70+ VCs and angels), participation in workshops top industry events (including ESA stand visibility), and use of the ESA brand.

Workspace & Infrastructure

Provision of office space at DTA Headquarters in Brindisi. For access to labs and test facilities—either in Brindisi or at DTA’s Grottaglie Airport Test Bed, a unique infrastructure for aerospace test and experimentation—we can arrange it depending on availability and in coordination with relevant partners.

Find out more on the Intro Call

01

Meet Us: Book a call

Check requirements and book a meeting with us. Review the eligibility criteria and schedule an introductory meeting (mandatory). The process is straightforward: if your innovation has a space connection, we want to hear from you.

02

Application

Prepare and submit your proposal. After the introductory meeting you will be ready to prepare your application. The application must be submitted online through the apply page before the cut-off date.

03

Selection

Get selected. You will pitch your startup to a panel composed by ESA and ASI representative and space experts, against technical and business criteria.

04

Incubation

Join the programme. Accepted startups enter the incubation programme that includes 50k € of zero-equity funding, expert coaching, technical support and full access to the partner ecosystem.

Start the Process: Book a Call

Discover the process

Capabilities

Bring your idea to Space

Fill in the form to get all the details about the ESA BIC programme and find out how to apply. Selected startups receive a €50,000 zero-equity grant, 24 months of incubation, technical coaching, and access to a European network of investors and partners.

Get Started

Who we are

Managed by Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale

DTA is one of the most active aerospace clusters, uniting companies, research centers, and public institutions. For 20 years, it has developed complex research and innovation projects, promoted technology transfer, and operated strategic infrastructures—like the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed—to boost the Apulian and Italian aerospace ecosystem.

Managing ESA BIC Brindisi, DTA also empowers startups and SMEs to advance their technologies and business models."