We turn space ideas into successful businesses
We ESA Business Incubation Centre for Southern Italy.
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
ESA BIC Brindisi is the European Space Agency’s incubation centre for Southern Italy, managed by the Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale (DTA). We support startups with a strong connection to space through equity-free funding, top-tier mentorship, and access to a unique industrial ecosystem.
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Managed by
Supported by
Incentive for Incubatees co-financed by
01
Our Mission
We’re here to transform ideas with a strong connection to space into outstanding businesses—able to grow, stand out, and win the market with energy and vision.
02
Our Vision
To build in Southern Italy an aerospace innovation ecosystem recognised across Europe, where talent, companies, and institutions collaborate to turn space technology into economic and social value for Apulia and Italy.
03
Our Scope
To train and support space-connected startups as they grow, developing skills, business models, and go-to-market capabilities to turn potential into real impact.
Why Joining the Space incubator?
Capabilities
01
Our Mission
We’re here to transform ideas with a strong connection to space into outstanding businesses—able to grow, stand out, and win the market with energy and vision.
02
Our Vision
To build in Southern Italy an aerospace innovation ecosystem recognised across Europe, where talent, companies, and institutions collaborate to turn space technology into economic and social value for Apulia and Italy.
03
Our Scope
To train and support space-connected startups as they grow, developing skills, business models, and go-to-market capabilities to turn potential into real impact.
04
Investment Manager
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Business Strategy & Execution
Work with serial founders, C-suite executives and senior consultants from the European space ecosystem. Define your revenue model, sharpen your value proposition and build a go-to-market plan that works.
Technical Validation
Get hands-on support from ESA and ASI engineers and international aerospace industry experts. Accelerate prototyping, run feasibility studies and overcome your key technical risks.
IP & Legal Protection
Backed by international legal advisors specialized in deep tech and space ventures. Understand how to own, protect and leverage your intellectual property in a competitive global market.
Investor Access & Fundraising
Connect with 70+ VC funds and business angel networks through the ESA Investor Network, and gain visibility at top international industry events under the ESA brand.
DISCOVER THE PROGRAMME
You don’t need to build rockets or be a space engineer. If your innovation uses satellite data, navigation systems, Earth observation, or space-related technologies, you may qualify.
Not sure? Reach out — we’ll help you assess your space link.
Do you meet the basic requirements?
Do you meet the basic requirements?
DISCOVER THE PROGRAMME
You don’t need to build rockets or be a space engineer. If your innovation uses satellite data, navigation systems, Earth observation, or space-related technologies, you may qualify.
Not sure? Reach out — we’ll help you assess your space link.
Do you meet the basic requirements?
Do you meet the basic requirements?
Concrete Benefits
Direct connection with 2,000 space startups active across the ESA BIC network
Access to the ESA Investor Network: 70 VC funds and business angel networks
Visibility at international industry events, including opportunities to be hosted at the ESA stand
Use of the ESA brand — a unique credibility asset in Europe
Participation in workshops, curated networking, and co-development opportunities with global industrial players
Equity-free funding
€50,000 non-dilutive funding, co-funded by ESA (€25,000) and Regione Puglia (€25,000). Eligible costs cover most business expenses (excluding founders’ salaries). ESA funding is milestone-based, while the regional share is reimbursed.
Coaching and Mentorship
Tailored 1:1 support from DTA coaches throughout incubation, plus introductions to partner mentors and legal support on IP, contracts, licensing, and strategy.
Background & Experience
Access to the ESA BIC Network (2,000+ startups) and DTA’s industrial network, with workshops, curated networking, event visibility, and access to the ESA Investor Network (70+ VC funds and angels).
An Entire Ecosystem to build your Business
Facilities in Brindisi
In Brindisi, we offer much more than just an office: you'll enter an ecosystem of top-notch infrastructure, specialized laboratories, and unique testing environments to transform your space technology into a market-ready product.
Innovative Labs & Technical Infrastructure
ESA BIC Brindisi startups have access to a network of laboratories and facilities distributed across DTA, industrial partners, and research institutions involved in the programme, with preferential conditions and, in many cases, co-funding for laboratory activities and technical consulting.
This network includes university labs, research centers, and specialized infrastructure in aerospace, advanced materials, satellite systems, Earth observation, and flight test services.
Grottaglie Airport Test Bed & Aerospace Network
Through the connection with the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed and the emerging Grottaglie Spaceport, incubated startups can test aerospace solutions in a real operational setting, leveraging a world-class testing infrastructure.
The ecosystem also includes dedicated aerospace laboratories, ITS infrastructure, and a wide network of industry players, creating an "open-air laboratory" where technologies, services, and new business models can be validated.
Workspaces at the Cittadella della Ricerca
Within the Cittadella della Ricerca, we offer flexible office and desk solutions at DTA headquarters, designed for growing teams working on space technologies and deep tech.
The spaces are designed to foster collaboration, mentor meetings, investor sessions and networking opportunities with other startups in the ESA BIC ecosystem.
Equity-free funding
Up to €50,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, without giving up shares in your company.
The contribution can be used across most cost categories: product development, IP protection, marketing, travel, employee salaries, and equipment purchases (excluding founders’ compensation).
Coaching & Mentorship
Coaching is what differentiates a great idea from a great startup. The programme includes:
Up to 80 hours of specialised technical support from mentors from ESA, ASI and industrial partners — technology development, prototyping, feasibility studies, and space engineering
Up to 50 hours of business coaching with serial founders, space-industry C-level executives and senior consultants — strategy, go-to-market,
investment readiness, and market validation
Up to 10 hours of legal consulting on intellectual property, contracts, licensing, and legal strategy
Fundraising & Networking
Beyond direct funding, we connect you with the people who can accelerate your growth:
Access to the active community of 2,000 space startups in the ESA BIC network
Connection with 70 VCs and business angel networks through the ESA Investor Network
Visibility at international aerospace events, trade fairs, and conferences
Support for commercial expansion within the DTA and ESA BIC ecosystem
Operating headquarters at DTA
Cittadella della Ricerca, Brindisi
Flexible office Solutions
Dedicated desks and hot-desking
Access to laboratories
Test facilities at DTA, ESA BIC partners, ESA and ASI
Grottaglie Airport
Direct access to the GATB
Collaborative environment
Deep-tech startups in incubation
Market Support
Lab activities and technical consulting
One of ESA BIC Brindisi’s unique features is privileged access to the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed (GATB): A national infrastructure for flight testing and advanced experimentation.
GATB is part of Italy’s National Research Infrastructure Plan and is a member of the European UAS Test Centres Alliance, with a formal technical cooperation with EUROCONTROL.
Grottaglie Airport
Test Bed
Why GATB is a unique resource for startups
1. Runway over 3 km within a low-traffic operational civil airport
Large portion of segregated airspace over land and sea for safe flight testing
2. Optimal weather conditions (low rainfall, limited wind, mild temperatures) — ideal for continuous test campaigns
3. Support for the full UAS development cycle, from TRL 4 (early experimentation) to TRL 9 (operational validation)
4. Access to specialised laboratories for: hybrid/hydrogen propulsion, fuel cells, avionics, sensors and payloads, GNSS/inertial navigation systems, human–machine interfaces
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Prime ESA BIC
ESA BIC
ESRIC
Managed by
ESA BIC Network Figures
32
Active ESA BICs in Europe
200m€
In revenue generated by incubated startups
390
Patents granted to startups in the network
The people behind ESA BIC Brindisi
ESA BIC Brindisi is managed by a team of professionals with experience in aerospace, innovation, and startup support.
Mario Erario
ESA BIC Manager
Description
Andrea Rubino
ESA BIC — TBD
Description
Uri Bornstein
ESA BIC — TBD
Description
Diletta De Pascali
ESA BIC — TBD
Description
ESA BIC Brindisi
Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale
Cittadella della ricerca,
S.S. 7 "Appia", km 7+300,
72100 Brindisi BR — Italia