ESA BIC Centro: 60,000 to support and incubate space-related businesses
Space
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Instituto Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN), through ESA BIC Centro, is looking for Portuguese start-ups with innovative space solutions or those that use space technologies or data.
Applications for the ESA BIC Centro open call are open until 24 May 2026. The initiative, part of the European Space Agency (ESA) network, offers €60,000 in equity-free (non-dilutive) financial support for product development and market entry.
Start-ups based in Portugal that are less than five years old (or projects in the process of being set up) are eligible to apply, provided they develop innovative products or services for the space sector or solutions based on space technology and/or data, and demonstrate commercial potential and ambition for growth.
In addition to the direct funding of €60,000, startups selected for ESA BIC Centro will also have access to a range of exclusive benefits during up to two years of incubation: direct access to ESA experts and infrastructure; specialist support on business models, go-to-market strategies and intellectual property protection; connections to an international network of investors and space industry leaders; guidance on legal and licensing issues.
Applications for the next evaluation cycle close on 24 May 2026 and can be submitted at https://space.ipn.pt/apply/.
ESA BIC Centro is an ESA initiative implemented by IPN in collaboration with the Pampilhosa da Serra Business Centre and Incuba+ Santa Maria. It is funded by Portugal’s contribution to ESA, Coimbra City Council and the Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community (CIM).
Between 2014 and 2024, the coordination of the ESA BIC programme in Portugal was undertaken by IPN. In 2026, the initiative entered a new phase, scheduled to run until 2028, in which it now comprises two programmes: ESA BIC Centro, led by IPN, and ESA BIC Tagus, coordinated by the Instituto Superior Técnico.
For further information: https://space.ipn.pt/ or space@ipn.pt.
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Instituto Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN), through ESA BIC Centro, is looking for Portuguese start-ups with innovative space solutions or those that use space technologies or data.
Applications for the ESA BIC Centro open call are open until 24 May 2026. The initiative, part of the European Space Agency (ESA) network, offers €60,000 in equity-free (non-dilutive) financial support for product development and market entry.
Start-ups based in Portugal that are less than five years old (or projects in the process of being set up) are eligible to apply, provided they develop innovative products or services for the space sector or solutions based on space technology and/or data, and demonstrate commercial potential and ambition for growth.
In addition to the direct funding of €60,000, startups selected for ESA BIC Centro will also have access to a range of exclusive benefits during up to two years of incubation: direct access to ESA experts and infrastructure; specialist support on business models, go-to-market strategies and intellectual property protection; connections to an international network of investors and space industry leaders; guidance on legal and licensing issues.
Applications for the next evaluation cycle close on 24 May 2026 and can be submitted at https://space.ipn.pt/apply/.
ESA BIC Centro is an ESA initiative implemented by IPN in collaboration with the Pampilhosa da Serra Business Centre and Incuba+ Santa Maria. It is funded by Portugal’s contribution to ESA, Coimbra City Council and the Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community (CIM).
Between 2014 and 2024, the coordination of the ESA BIC programme in Portugal was undertaken by IPN. In 2026, the initiative entered a new phase, scheduled to run until 2028, in which it now comprises two programmes: ESA BIC Centro, led by IPN, and ESA BIC Tagus, coordinated by the Instituto Superior Técnico.
For further information: https://space.ipn.pt/ or space@ipn.pt.
