The opening session featured remarks from João Gabriel Silva, President of the IPN Board, and Niels Eldering, Head of the Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office of the European Space Agency (ESA). This was followed by contributions from representatives of the programme’s institutional partners: Joan Alabart (Portuguese Space Agency - Portugal Space), Paula Silvestre (Metropolitan Region of Coimbra), and Jorge Custódio (Mayor of Pampilhosa da Serra). The event concluded with a networking cocktail. 

The launch of ESA BIC Centro comes at a time of growing momentum in Coimbra’s space ecosystem, further strengthened by the University of Coimbra’s creation of the new Aerospace Engineering degree, consolidating the region as a hub for talent and scientific innovation. 

ESA BIC Centro supports startups developing space-related products and services with direct, non-dillutive funding of €60,000. Selected projects also gain access, for up to two years of incubation, to a set of exclusive benefits: direct access to ESA experts and infrastructure; specialised support in business modelling and and go-to-market strategies; connections to an international network of investors and space industry leaders; and guidance on legal and intellectual property matters. 

ESA BIC Centro is an initiative of ESA, implemented by IPN in collaboration with the Pampilhosa da Serra Business Center and Incuba+ Santa Maria. It is funded by the Portuguese subscription to ESA, the Municipality of Coimbra and the Metropolitan Region of Coimbra. 

For more information: https://space.ipn.pt/ or space@ipn.pt.