Fostering space innovation
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid
Supporting technology-oriented entrepreneurs through the ESA BIC business incubator centre
The Community of Madrid and the European Space Agency (ESA) support technologically-based entrepreneurs in the region through its business incubation center (ESA BIC).
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid helps start-ups create cutting-edge products and services that use technologies or space data or that develop solutions for the space sector.
This initiative will support in 5 years to 40 technology-based companies with great potential.
Why is it excellent?
The Region of Madrid accounts for 92% of the Spanish space sector, which is highly innovative, productive and export-oriented. ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid allows supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem arising around this industry.
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid works together with universities and technology institutions in the region as proof of its operational excellence, enabling entrepreneurs to network with their own environment.
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid uses the procedures and knowledge acquired by ESA for more than a decade in its network of incubation centers in Europe, concretely and effectively supporting companies in their day-to-day activities to overcome the challenges they face. those who face.
Companies start their business after a thorough selection process that guarantees the quality of the projects and the teams’ commitment. This programme has already supported more than 500 companies in Europe with very high survival rates of nearly 87%.
Supporting excellent companies
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid supports 15 companies by providing them with technical assistance and mentors’ advice. They also participate in investment fora and in national and international competitive projects. One of these companies has been able to obtain private funding of over one million euros.
Unmanned surface systems
Hybrid propulsion system for aviation
Sensory guidance for blind people
Who is involved in the initiative?
ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid is an initiative driven by three departments of the Regional Government (the Department of Education, Youth and Sports; the Department of Economy, Finance and Employment; the Department for the Presidency, Justice and Spokesperson’s Office) led and managed by Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d (Knowledge Foundation). ESA’s economic contribution has been secured through its Spanish delegation formed by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through the State Secretariat of Research, Development and Innovation, and the Centre for Industrial and Technological Development (CDTI).
The strategic partners include public and private institutions such as the Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (COIT – Official Association of Telecommunications Engineers), the Cluster Aeroespacial de la Comunidad de Madrid (Aerospace Cluster of the Region of Madrid), the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA – National Institute of Aerospace Technique), the Empresa Nacional de Innovación (ENISA – National Innovation Company), and the ESA’s European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) located in Villafranca del Castillo.
Technical support to the companies is guaranteed thanks to the participation of the public universities network of the Region of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos) and the Parque Científico de Madrid (Madrid’s Scientific Park).
The head office of this project is situated in the Centro de Emprendedores (Entrepreneurs’ Centre) of the Region of Madrid in Getafe.
