ESA BIC in Austria

The booster for your space-related business idea

Part of the Europe’s strongest space incubation network

Join Europe's strongest space incubation network

ESA’s Business Incubation Centres (BICs) work to inspire entrepreneurs to turn space-connected business ideas into commercial companies, and provide technical expertise and business development support alongside zero-equity funding of EUR 50.000. The ESA BIC network has so far supported more than 1.100 start-ups and is present in 22 countries and over 60 locations.

The place for space applications and space innovations

Inspiring entrepreneurs to turn space-connected business ideas into commercial companies is at the heart of what ESA’s Business Incubation Centres (BICs) stand for.

In the scope of its space missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) develops a myriad of technologies, systems, data sets, methods, patents, materials, among other items.

The interesting part of this huge investment from ESA Member States is that the life of these assets does not end but starts in space! In fact, behind these developments lies an enormous “reuse” potential which is accessible to entrepreneurs, researchers, students or companies. So most of the start-ups we support indeed use space as a starting point to develop a business on non-space markets (so-called “downstream” markets), such as mobility, agriculture, environment or health.

Also to be noted, the ESA BICs also welcome entrepreneurs looking to contribute to the increasingly growing commercial space market! In this “upstream” approach, alongside large institutional organisations and incumbent companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs get involved in launching rockets and satellites and work intensely to achieve technological breakthroughs for instance with advanced materials and using emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, blockchain or robotics.

ESA BIC Austria - The booster for your space-related business idea

In Austria

Opened in 2016 as part of the Europe-wide BIC network, managed and coordinated by Science Park Graz, ESA BIC Austria draws on SPG’s and its partners outstanding track record in high-tech business incubation – providing a unique environment geared exclusively to accelerating innovation and unlocking your commercial potential.

ESA BIC Austria provides to 12 companies per year a package of impactful business and technical support, the integration in the European-wide space start-up network built by all ESA BICs, zero-equity funding of Eur 50.000, international visibility and the credibility of the ESA brand.

In addition, the companies benefit from the powerful and prosperous Austrian ecosystem, strongly connected to our partners:

Core partners

ESA Space Solutions
Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR) of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Science Park Graz

Funding partners

Local Incubation Partners

Business & Technical Support partners

Network partners

Graz University of Technology
Medical University of Graz
University of Graz
FH Joanneum – University of Applied Sciences
CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences,
Human.technology Styria (HTS)
Green Tech Cluster Styria
AC Styria Autocluster
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Joanneum Research
St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU)
CERN Technology

HEADQUARTERS AND INCUBATION PARTNER IN STYRIA

Science Park Graz

Managers of ESA BIC Austria since 2016 and into high-tech incubation since 2002, Science Park Graz provides a powerful support structure and the expertise and experience of a dedicated team which helps aspiring space entrepreneurs to develop and grow their ideas into flourishing companies. Science Park Graz is the host incubator for ESA BIC Austria start-ups based in Graz or Styria.

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YOUR INCUBATION PARTNER IN LOWER AUSTRIA

accent inkubator

As tough tech incubator, accent supports projects that combine future-oriented technologies with state-of-the-art science and technology. accent is the host incubator for ESA BIC Austria start-ups based in Wiener Neustadt or Lower Austria.

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YOUR INCUBATION PARTNER IN SALZBURG

Startup Salzburg

As Salzburg’s incubator for innovative founders, Startup Salzburg partners with start-ups in every phase of business development. Startup Salzburg is the host incubator for ESA BIC Austria start-ups based in Salzburg (city and region).

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ESA BIC Austria

The space tech incubator

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Space Connections

Find your space connection

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ESA BIC start-ups

Our portfolio

Discover the quality of our portfolio of start-ups and be impressed by the variety of the markets strongly impacted by space. Unveil the innovative solutions our entrepreneurs envisage for the next space era!

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