ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC)
ESA BIC is the European Space Agency's network of business incubation centres, which ESA calls the largest incubation network in Europe, with 2,000+ startups supported. Startups that use space technology or space data, or build products for the space sector, get equity-free funding plus technical support from ESA and regional experts. They also get business coaching, IP advice and investor access. Applications go to an individual centre in one of about 23 European countries.
At a glance
ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) key facts
- Investment
- $58K
- Equity
- No equity
- Deal terms
- €50,000 (about $58K) in equity-free funding for product and IP development. Some centres and regional co-funders offer up to €60,000. Includes up to two years of incubation with ESA technical support. Companies must be registered before signing the incubation contract, and some centres limit company age (for example, no more than 5 years old).
- Duration
- Up to 2 years
- Format
- In-person
- Headquarters
- Noordwijk, Netherlands
- Cohort locations
- Netherlands; Germany; France; Italy; Spain; Portugal; United Kingdom; Switzerland; Finland; Estonia; Poland; Latvia; and other ESA member states
- Stage
- idea, pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- deep tech, hardware
- Application cycle
- Set by each centre; most run periodic cut-offs (often spring and autumn), and some take applications year-round
Verified November 4, 2026 against the sources below. Terms change; confirm on the official site before applying.
Timing
Deadlines vary by centre. ESA BIC Noordwijk has a permanent open call with selections in spring and autumn (last cut-off October 5, 2026). ESA BIC Estonia lists an open window of June 1 to December 31, 2026 (third-party listing, unverified). New centres opened in Portugal and Spain in 2026. Check the chosen centre's local site for its next cut-off.
See all upcoming accelerator deadlines
Notable alumni
- Titan4
- Involve Space
FAQ
Applying to ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC)
- How much does ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) invest?
- ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC)'s standard deal: €50,000 (about $58K) in equity-free funding for product and IP development. Some centres and regional co-funders offer up to €60,000. Includes up to two years of incubation with ESA technical support. Companies must be registered before signing the incubation contract, and some centres limit company age (for example, no more than 5 years old).
- How much equity does ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) take?
- ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) takes no equity.
- When is the ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) application deadline?
- Application cycle: Set by each centre; most run periodic cut-offs (often spring and autumn), and some take applications year-round. Deadlines vary by centre. ESA BIC Noordwijk has a permanent open call with selections in spring and autumn (last cut-off October 5, 2026). ESA BIC Estonia lists an open window of June 1 to December 31, 2026 (third-party listing, unverified). New centres opened in Portugal and Spain in 2026. Check the chosen centre's local site for its next cut-off.
- Where is ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) based?
- ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BIC) is headquartered in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The program runs in person. Cohorts run in Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, and other ESA member states.
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