Building Space Businesses
The first and only space incubator in Southern Italy part of the 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 a wide range of sectors. 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
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Managed by
Supported by
Incentive for Incubatees co-financed by
What We Offer
Technical and Business Mentorship
Receive up to 140 hours of tailored technical, business, and legal mentorship to develop your space-connected product, service, or application. ESA BIC Brindisi supports selected teams in refining their technology, strengthening their business model, and preparing for market adoption.
Non-Dilutive Funding
Access up to €50,000 in non-dilutive funding to support product development, validation, and early market activities. The funding requires no equity and no repayment, helping startups advance their projects while retaining full ownership.
ESA BIC European Network
Join the ESA BIC European network and connect with a qualified ecosystem of startups, technical experts, industry partners, investors, and institutions. Selected teams can benefit from networking opportunities, visibility, and access to relevant European space and innovation communities.
Facilities and Infrastructure
ESA BIC Brindisi connects selected startups with technical facilities, specialised laboratories, and aerospace expertise across the DTA and partner network. Access to facilities can be arranged depending on project needs, availability, and coordination with the appropriate partners. Workspace is also available at DTA headquarters in Brindisi.
Application Requirements
Startup under 5 years old, or structured team ready to incorporate
Clear connection to space technologies, satellite data, navigation, or space-derived know-how
Incorporated in Italy, or willing to incorporate if selected
Founding team retains at least 50% ownership
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
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 of 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 € in zero-equity funding, expert coaching, technical support and full access to the partner ecosystem.
Discover the Process
Capabilities
Develop Your Space-Connected Business with ESA BIC Brindisi
Complete the form to receive detailed information about the ESA BIC Brindisi programme and understand how to apply. Selected startups can access €50,000 in non-dilutive funding, up to two years of incubation, technical and business guidance, and connections with the ESA BIC European network of investors, partners, and experts.
Who We Are
Managed by Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale
Managed by DTA, ESA BIC Brindisi connects ESA’s European incubation framework with the industrial, research, and innovation capabilities of the Apulian aerospace ecosystem. DTA is one of the most active aerospace clusters, uniting companies, research centres, and public institutions.
For 20 years, DTA has promoted research and innovation projects, supported technology transfer, and coordinated technical, industrial, and institutional initiatives that strengthen the Apulian and Italian aerospace ecosystem. Through ESA BIC Brindisi, DTA supports startups and SMEs in advancing their technologies, strengthening their business models, and preparing for market adoption.
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Supported by
Universities and Research Centers
Aerospace Companies
Co-Funding for Incubatees
Consulting and Finance
What Our Founders Think About Us
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Marco Aprea — CEO
Versosat
"ESA BIC Brindisi was VersoSat's key entry point into the startup and space ecosystems. Their support and network helped us turn our idea into a concrete project. Importantly, it allowed us to build a deep-tech space company from Southern Italy, showing the region can play a meaningful role in the space industry."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Riccardo Puglisi — Founder
Archimede
"Thanks to ESA BIC, we transformed a vision into a concrete product strategy, that helped us to secure our first fundraising round."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Francesco Giordano — CEO
Flying Demon
"ESA BIC Brindisi provided the professional coaching and strategic ecosystem necessary to bridge the gap between innovation and the market. Their support was vital in transferring sensor technology for deep space into drone-based EO solution for the environmental and agricultural sectors."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Gianvito Lucivero — CEO
QSensato
"The support from ESA BIC Brindisi is instrumental in strengthening our space-based use cases, atomic clocks, magnetometers and other quantum-based devices . Thanks to this network, we are able to validate the market needs of our sensors to enable new capabilities in space."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Pasquale Castellano — CEO
Dymension
"In a market as complex as satellite systems engineering, the guided path at ESA BIC Brindisi is incredibly formative. It provided necessary support to define the precise direction our startup needs to make space design more efficient, traceable, and future-oriented."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Massimo Chiarillo —Founder
Coste360.it
"ESA BIC Brindisi serves as a strategic ally in navigating administrative and bureaucratic complexities when dealing with public customers. This support allows us to focus our energy on our primary mission: enable continuous monitoring of the Italian coastline through satellite data."
What Our Founders Think About Us
Gabriel Eze — CEO
Aspace Company
"The greatest value of ESA BIC Brindisi lies in its personalized business development. The one-on-one sessions with experts have been vital in refining the offering of our satellite-based soil-testing application and preparing our business to attract international investment."
ESA BIC Brindisi
Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale
Cittadella della ricerca,
S.S. 7 "Appia", km 7+300,
72100 Brindisi BR — Italia