- Apply before 24:00 hrs on October 6th, 2025 -

Turn your space idea into a thriving business with ESA BIC Sweden

Are you ready to take your innovation to the next level? As one of Europe’s leading space-focused incubators, ESA BIC Sweden offers more than just funding – we provide the complete launchpad for your startup journey.

By joining, you’ll gain:

  • Up to €50,000 in incentive funding to accelerate your development

  • Access to ESA’s vast network of experts, mentors, and industry leaders

  • Tailored business coaching and technical support to strengthen both your idea and your company

  • Connections to investors and partners who can drive your growth

  • A dynamic community of entrepreneurs shaping the future of space and beyond

Whether you are applying space technology in new markets or bringing groundbreaking innovations into the space sector, ESA BIC Sweden gives you the resources, credibility, and support you need to scale faster.

With incubation hubs in Luleå, Uppsala, Trollhättan, and Lund, we help you transform bold ideas into successful ventures – and reach beyond boundaries.

Apply now and let ESA BIC Sweden help you launch your future.

How to apply

ESA BIC Sweden has a Permanent Open Call. This means we are always open for business and you can apply to us. However there are a few fixed dates during the year when we decide who can join and you will find info on our starting page.

To apply simply do the following:

1. Download the documents below and especially read the Open Call document.

2. Complete and send us your Business Application Proposal (BAP) following documents;
- Cover Letter,
- Business Plan
- Incubation Proposal plus related appendices as needed. Send your complete Business Application Proposal
by email to: application@esa-bic.se

3. If you have any questions about anything - just email us at info@esa-bic.se and we will help you!

The ESA BIC Sweden Open Call:

Cover Letter Template

Business Plan Template

Incubation Proposal

Support templates & reference documents
to the Application:

Tables & Figures

Innovation Readiness Level

Space Connection Assessment

Local Incubator agreements:

ESA BIC Draft Incubator Agreement - Arctic Business Incubator

ESA BIC Draft Incubator Agreement - Uppsala Innovation Centre

ESA BIC Draft Incubator Agreement - Innovatum

ESA BIC Draft Incubator Agreement - Ideon Innovation

Here are some important ESA pages for searching and locating for IPR and Technology

ESA - IP for commercialisation

Slides on “How to Apply to ESA BIC Sweden”

ESA, EUSPA, NASA, and other groups offer many hackathons and case competitions for you to join and gain support from.

Draft contract

ESA BIC Swede Draft Incubation Contract 

Let's launch your business

A step-by-step guide to take your business off the ground

1. Why should I join?

You will be part of the new space-related startup community.

Funding of 50.000 € (from ESA and Vinnova)

2. What do I get?

Accepted to one of the four Swedish ESA BIC Incubators for business development support and advice and effective workplaces for up to 24 months

Technical Support up to 80 hours through Technical partners

You will get both business and technical advice as well as access to funding.

You will be able to use space technology for terrestrial applications in your new start-up with high potential
to be successful and create wealth.

Access to the international ESA BIC's community and international ESA events 

Innovative idea based on space technology, or innovation intended for space usage.

Access to ESA IP for Commercialisation 
click here

Support to secure further venture capital, loans and grants as needed

Preferred access to office facilities, experts, suppliers and investment capital.

Meet and network with other space startup all over Europe.

3. Who can apply?

A company that is not more than five years old (or apply as person but create company if approved).

Must be a citizen or company from an ESA membership country.

All the requirements are Fully described in application documents above.

4. Fields of application example

For the applicant to the ESA BIC Sweden

You will be able to develop a new start-up, with high potential to be successful and create wealth, based on your terrestrial technology to target Space applications.

You want to be an excellent entrepreneur in the space industry.

5. Space connection

To be accepted for incubation in an ESA BIC, the applicant must present a business idea with a valid space connection. Below is a guideline that will help you and all parties to assess the space connection of your business idea.

Please contact ESA BIC Sweden to discuss the space connection in advance of submitting your application.

Applications for the ESA BIC Sweden are typically considered with the following types of space connections (please use the check-boxes to indicate in which category your idea falls):

Downstream – Your idea is about utilising space systems or exploiting space technology in a non-space domain, in one of the following areas:

       Applications:

  •        Satellite Navigation

  •        Earth Observation

  •        Satellite Communication

       Technology Transfer:

  •         Hardware

  •         Software or Firmware

  •         Knowledge, processes

  •         Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Upstream – Your idea is about exploiting 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 spaceflight

 If the space connection of your business idea is in one of the above areas, please continue the initial assessment below. Otherwise please contact ESA BIC Sweden for clarification and guidance.

If in doubt, please contact ESA BIC Sweden to understand whether a Letter of Interest is advisable.
(Note that such a letter is always useful and that it is never too early to engage potential customers!) 

Contact our ESA BIC Sweden team if you have any questions about your application