APPLY TO ESA BIC FINLAND AND SPIN YOUR BUSINESS TO NEW HEIGHTS!
WELCOME TO ESA BIC FINLAND
Thank you for your interest to apply to ESA BIC Finland, and welcome! You can apply and incubate your idea with us, at any time, if you use positioning, satellite maps/images or other space assets in your products, or have invented new hardware or software that could be useful for the space industry.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
First, it’s important that you meet both the following criteria to be eligible to apply for ESA BIC Finland:
Your startup is less than 5 years old
Your startup is or will be a registered business in Finland
Are you a non-EU team? You can apply for a Finnish startup visa.
If you are eligible to apply, please read and follow the below steps (01,02,03), to apply to ESA BIC Finland. We strongly suggest that you contact our team to ensure a smooth application process!
01 IDENTIFY YOUR SPACE CONNECTION
Please identity your own space connection out of the following three types: 1) An upstream space connection; 2) A downstream space connection; or 3) A technology transfer. For more detailed information about the three types, download and read the document below.
Upstream
Your idea exploits or introduces new technology in the space domain, or you intend to be active as a supplier to the space sector, in one of the following areas (including systems, sub-systems, components, and services):
Launchers
Satellites
Ground systems
Human spaceflights
Downstream
Your idea is about utilising space systems or exploiting space technology in a non-space domain (e.g. on Earth) in one of the following areas:
02 APPLY SIMULTANEOUSLYFOR FUNDING DECISION TO BUSINESS FINLAND
Business Finland has online application process for Finnish ESA BIC companies.
Instructions are as follows:
Submit the funding application to Business Finland via it’s online service Online services – Business Finland. The funding service’s name is ”Accelerators and preparations for international projects”. On the page “Basic information for application” is a list of ”Programmes and other connections”, from which select ”ESA BIC”.
Business Finland is our co-funding partner. The typical (maximum) funding available to ESA BIC Finland companies during incubation is 90.000 EUR consisting of:
– 60.000 EUR from Business Finland (if the company applies and receives positive decision for their funding application) – 30.000 EUR from ESA BIC Finland via European Space Agency Scale-up program
The company must follow Business Finland’s funding terms and conditions related to the funding instrument used.
ESA BIC Finland can’t incubate a startup if co-funding is not granted.
Please note that you will not receive a funding decision from Business Finland until later in the process, so please do not wait for their decision at this stage. It is still important to submit your application to both Business Finland and ESA BIC Finland before the open call closes.
03 FILL IN THE APPLICATION WITH ESA BIC FINLAND
Please carefully download and review all ESA BIC Finland application documents below as part of step three (03). Read the ESA BIC Finland Open call first.
Mandatory documents to submit the application are:
Cover Letter and Requirement Checklist -Please make sure you fill and mark all of the list.
Business Plan
Incubation Proposal
The applicant(s) shall provide a copy of an official identity document (passport or similar) with this application for each person signing the application. If applicable, a copy of relevant working permits and VISAs shall also be provided.
The latest Application Templates can be downloaded by applying. Go to the end of this page to download.
Natalie Gaudet Project Coordinator ESA BIC Finland Aalto University, Aalto Startup Center natalie.gaudet@aalto.fi (+358) 505 999 442
ESA BIC Finland selections panel takes place approximately one month after each ESA BIC Finland application deadline.
You will receive more information and instructions on how to apply by downloading the application documents.
The new application documents are now available! The application files will be sent directly to your email inbox.
The incubation lasts up to 24 months.
In our everyday life, the use of space technologies has become so commonplace that we barely notice their presence: satellite TV, cordless tools, smoke detectors and many more. Several national space agencies as well as ESA develop and support the development of many technologies, systems, data sets, methods, patents, etc. Like the examples mentioned before, all these assets contain enormous “reuse” potential, which is accessible to you, as an entrepreneur, researcher, student or company. Space is the starting point for generating your business idea or providing the innovative edge your company is searching for! See the links below for some inspiration:
Yes, you can send us an application even prior to incorporation. However, Business Finland cannot make a funding decision before you have incorporated your company.
In such cases, the applications to ESA BIC Finland are conditional and depending on actual incorporation and a positive funding decision from Business Finland.
*More information in Business Finland website.
No. We do not take any equity in your company. But we will request some reporting from you.
After the open call, the Tender Opening Board will prescreen your application. If you pass the prescreening phase, you will be invited to pitch to the Tender Evaluation Board. TEB will make the final funding decisions, with input from both ESA and Business Finland.
