Accepting Applications
Join ESA BIC Brindisi, part of the ESA Incubation 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
€50,000 non-dilutive grant
Co-funded by ESA + Regione Puglia, no equity.
An extensive network of mentors
C-level executives, tech leads, and senior business consultants from space industries.
Access to laboratories & infrastructure
A network of facilities across DTA, ESA BIC partners, ESA, and ASI, under the conditions set by the programme.
Space is not just rockets and satellites. If you work on any domain or industry that use space-related data, technology, or components, you are a Space Tech Startup.
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Managed by
Supported by
Incentive for Incubatees co-financed by
Managed by
Supported by
Incentive for Incubatees co-financed by
01
Meet Us: Book a call
Check requirements and book a meeting. 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 receive includes €50,000 in equity-free funding, expert coaching, technical support and facilitated access to the partner ecosystem.
Discover the process
Capabilities
Common Doubts
What Everyone Asks before Applying
I'm not sure how strong my space connection is
Most of our startups don't build satellites. If you use Earth Observation, GNSS, satellite weather, or space-derived technologies, you are space tech. The 30-minute call will clarify any doubts.
I'm still at the idea stage, is it too early?
No. We accept teams with a clear vision and the skills to execute. In fact, joining early is an advantage — you use ESA resources to validate correctly with real data, mentors, and laboratories.
Does contacting you commit me to anything?
"No. The intro call is exploratory and creates no obligation. It lets you talk with the team and understand if there's fit. No commitment until the incubation agreement is signed — and only if both sides are convinced.
Do I need to relocate to Brindisi?
No. The program is hybrid. You just have or incorporate a company in Italy after selection. Some of the activities are recommended in-person, the rest is remote.
Is the €50,000 repayable? Does it take equity?
No. The €50,000 is equity-free and non-repayable: €25,000 from ESA and €25,000 from Regione Puglia. ESA releases its share as you reach agreed technical milestones; Regione Puglia reimburses eligible costs you have already incurred and reported. Plan your cash flow accordingly. Full cost rules are in the Application Package.
I'm not from Southern Italy, can I apply?
Yes. You can apply if you have Italian nationality or italian work permit.
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."
Be Our Next Success Case
Our impact after 2 Years of Activity
9
Ventures Supported
15
Strategic partners across industry and research
20
Mentors and domain experts
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