The ESA BIC Euskadi programme includes:

• Funding of up to €60,000 to support activities directly related to the development and delivery of innovative space projects that create new technologies, products, and services.
• Advanced business support, including up to 50 hours of business coaching and 10 hours of specialised intellectual property (IPR) and legal advice.
• Specialised technical support, including up to 20 hours of technical assistance delivered in collaboration with strategic industry partners for technology testing and validation.
• Access to incubation facilities on preferential terms at the designated incubators for up to two years.
• Support in securing additional funding, including access to financial instruments, investor networks, venture capital, and public and private funding opportunities.
• Participation in exclusive events and networking activities with strategic partners across the space ecosystem.

For further information, you can:

• Visit the official ESA BIC Euskadi website.
• Contact the programme management team.
• Attend information sessions and entrepreneurship events.

No minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required to apply. However, the technical feasibility of each project is assessed individually during the evaluation process.

Since the programme supports startup development, projects are generally expected to reach approximately TRL 6 or higher by the end of the incubation period.

As a guideline, projects starting at around TRL 3 or above are typically well positioned to progress successfully during the incubation period of up to two years.

Participating startups gain access to:

• The recognition and credibility of the ESA brand.
• International customers and strategic partners.
• Networking opportunities with other space startups across Europe.

Projects must demonstrate a clear and credible connection to the space sector.

The programme supports projects across the entire space value chain, including:

• Upstream: development of space technologies, including hardware, software, and systems.
• Midstream: intermediate technologies and infrastructure, such as space data processing, storage, and management.
• Downstream: applications and services based on space data or infrastructure, including Copernicus, Galileo, satellite communications, and related technologies.

The programme also welcomes:

• Spin in: technologies or solutions transferred from other industries into the space sector.
• Spin out: space technologies applied to non space markets.

Overall, ESA BIC Euskadi seeks innovative, market driven projects that unlock the value of space technologies and data.

Once the incubation period is complete, the startup:

• Becomes part of the ESA BIC Alumni Network.
• Continues to access networking opportunities.
• Can benefit from additional growth and scale up programmes.

Applications are open to:

• Entrepreneurs in the process of establishing a startup.
• Recently established startups that are less than five years old.

Projects must have a clear connection to the space sector or use technologies originally developed for space applications.

Applicants must follow the instructions provided in the Official Call Documents when preparing and submitting their proposal.

A complete application generally includes:

1. Cover Letter.
2. Incubation Proposal.
3. Business Plan.
4. Space Connection Assessment.

To submit a valid application, all documents must be completed using the official templates and formats provided in the call for proposals. (Open Call Documents.) These templates include detailed guidance on the required content and methodology.

Cover Letter

Incubation Proposal

Space Connection Assessment

Only applications that meet all formal requirements will be evaluated. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to review both the Official Call Documents and the Programme Guidelines before submitting their proposal.

The programme promotes the transfer of space technologies to industry and supports the creation of innovative companies through funding, technical assistance, and business support.

Applications follow the standard ESA BIC evaluation process and are managed by ESA BIC Euskadi.

Once the application deadline has passed, the Tender Opening Board (TOB) reviews each application to verify compliance with the formal requirements.

If minor deficiencies are identified, applicants may be invited to correct them within a specified period. Applications that fail to meet the formal requirements will be rejected.

Applications that pass this stage proceed to the Tender Evaluation Board (TEB), where applicants present their project. The committee evaluates both the submitted documentation and the project presentation, including any clarifications provided during the session.

All applicants receive formal notification of the evaluation outcome. Successful applicants then move on to the negotiation and contracting stage.

Applicants are encouraged to read the Official Call Documents and the Programme Guidelines carefully to understand the evaluation process in full.

The ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) form Europe’s largest network of business incubators dedicated to supporting space related startups.

Their mission is to help entrepreneurs develop business ideas based on space technologies by supporting product development and helping them bring their companies to market. They also contribute to building and strengthening space startup ecosystems across Europe.

Each ESA BIC is managed by local organisations that connect the programme with businesses, universities, research centres, public authorities, and investors. Although each centre operates within its regional ecosystem, all belong to a highly connected European network.

This network provides outstanding opportunities for startups to establish relationships with international partners and customers.

ESA BICs support entrepreneurs who:

• Develop applications based on space systems, including satellite navigation, Earth observation, and satellite communications.
• Apply space technologies to non-space industries.
• Create innovative products or services for the space sector itself.

The evaluation process involves two committees:

• Tender Opening Board (TOB): verifies that applications comply with all formal requirements set out in the call for proposals.
• Tender Evaluation Board (TEB): evaluates eligible applications. The committee includes representatives from SPRI, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Spanish Space Agency, and independent industry experts.

As part of the assessment process, applicants must present their project to the TEB. This presentation allows the committee to examine the proposal in greater depth and ask questions where clarification is needed.

Applicants are typically notified of the outcome within a few weeks. To proceed, proposals must achieve both the required overall score and the minimum score for each evaluation criterion.

ESA BIC Euskadi is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) business incubation programme in the Basque Country. Led by SPRI, the Basque Business Development Agency, in collaboration with the Basque Business Innovation Centres (BICs) and other organisations within the regional entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, the programme supports the creation and growth of startups that use or develop innovative technologies and solutions for the space sector.

Applications are assessed by the Tender Evaluation Board (TEB), which assigns a total score of 0 to 100 points based on the following criteria:

• Formal compliance (mandatory requirement).
• Background and team experience: up to 25 points.
• Technology or service: up to 20 points.
• Value proposition and market potential: up to 20 points.
• Business model and risk assessment: up to 15 points.
• Activity plan: up to 20 points.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Official Call Documents and the Programme Guidelines carefully before preparing their application.

Programme Guidelines

Cover Letter

Incubation Proposal

Space Connection Assessment

The selection process consists of the following stages:

1. Pre application guidance (recommended). Applicants are encouraged to contact the BICs for advice, clarification, and support in strengthening their proposals.
2. Application submission.
3. Formal, technical, and business evaluation.
4. Presentation before the Evaluation Committee.
5. Final selection.

The call for applications opens once a year.

Applicants are encouraged to check the programme website regularly for the official application dates.

Yes. To be eligible, the startup must already be established in the Basque Country or have an effective presence in the region when submitting the application.

The startup must also maintain its operations in the Basque Country throughout the incubation period.

The incubation period lasts between 12 and 24 months, during which startups receive continuous technical and business support.

Participants are expected to dedicate a significant amount of time to the project throughout the incubation period to ensure its successful development and growth.