If you’re a European start-up, scale-up, SME, entrepreneur, innovator or investor and aren’t taking advantage of the EU Space Programme then listen up: you’re missing out on a big opportunity.
Just how big are we talking?
According to research conducted by the experts at the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the GNSS and Earth Observation downstream market generated over EUR 200 billion in revenue in 2021. What’s more, this market is expected to hit the half trillion mark over the next decade.
Now that we have your attention, it’s time to take out your calendar and circle 1 June. That’s the day EUSPA will provide all the information and insight you need to successfully integrate European space solutions into your business idea, start-up or innovation.
Taking place at EUSPA Headquarters in Prague, Entrepreneurship Day is a chance to learn about the EU Space Programme and how EUSPA supports those looking to innovate and invest using European GNSS and Earth Observation. It’s also an opportunity to get a first-hand look at how innovative space-based solutions are delivering cutting-edge, often industry-defining services across a range of application areas – many of which will be exhibiting during the event as part of the #myEUspace competition.
Bringing space-solutions onto the European market
Organised by EUSPA as part of the European Commission’s CASSINI - Space Entrepreneurship Initiative, the #myEUspace competition has committed EUR 1 million in prize money to bring disruptive, space-based solutions onto the European market. The accelerated start-ups developed a range of novel solutions, new technologies, mobile apps and hardware. While each solution covers a different sector, including location-based services, smart mobility, geomatics and smart agriculture, they all share a foundation in their use of data coming from Galileo and/or Copernicus.
“Space data is at the heart of the technological revolution currently sweeping Europe, and this competition is another example of how EUSPA supports innovative entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs from across the EU who are leveraging Copernicus and Galileo data, information and services,” says Fiammetta Diani, EUSPA Head of Market, Downstream and Innovation.
Nearly 40 EU start-ups will be on hand at Entrepreneurship Day to share how their space-based innovations support the EU’s strategic agenda. The start-ups will also provide live demonstrations as part of their final pitch to judges, who will announce the winners of the #myEUspace competition at the end of the day.
Information for fund managers and investors too
Entrepreneurship Day will also host the latest edition of our Capacity Building for Fund Managers series.
Organised by EUSPA, in collaboration with the European Commission, European Space Agency (ESA) and European Investment Fund (EIF), this series of five workshops is designed to provide venture capitalists, fund managers and other investors with the in-depth information they need to make smart, informed investment decisions.
“If you want to become an active investor in this exciting field or simply want to gather more information before deciding to raise a new fund, then this capacity building programme is for you,” adds Diani.
The workshop will be held live during Entrepreneurship Day, as well as online.
A focus on start-ups
On top of the start-up showcase, the #myEUspace competition and the Capacity Building workshop, the Entrepreneurship Day agenda will feature panel discussions on how to grow a start-up and best practices in start-up investment.
“Because of their agility and unique ability to adjust to new business models and adapt to new technologies, start-ups are particularly well-positioned to leverage the potential offered by the EU Space Programme,” notes Diani.
The day also includes dedicated time for business matchmaking and of course plenty of opportunities for networking.
Join us virtually for the afternoon sessions by tuning in here.
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