ESA BIC Andalusia, the only business incubation centre of the European Space Agency in Andalusia, has completed the technical evaluation of the initiatives and projects submitted to its first call for the selection of new startups in the space sector. The application deadline closed on 31 October, with a highly successful response in terms of the number of proposals received.

The proposals were assessed by the Tender Evaluation Board (TEB), a technical committee that met at CATEC’s headquarters in Seville. The Board was composed of representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA); the Spanish Space Agency (AEE); the Directorate General for Entrepreneurship Promotion and Lifelong Learning of the Regional Ministry of University, Research and Innovation of the Government of Andalusia; CATEC; and ESA BIC Andalusia.

The applications finally selected under this call will be publicly announced in the first quarter of 2026.

First call of the programme in Andalusia

The first call for space startups launched by ESA BIC Andalusia was open both to entrepreneurs in the process of establishing a startup and to already incorporated companies with less than five years of activity. It was aimed at initiatives with strong scaling potential, technological applicability, and a direct connection to the space sector.

Projects were required to be developing innovative products, services or business models linked to the space domain, either through the direct use of space technologies, infrastructure or data, or through downstream applications derived from them.

During an incubation period of up to two years, the selected startups will have access to a comprehensive support package designed to accelerate their business development. This includes €60,000 in non-repayable direct funding, co-financed equally by ESA and the Regional Ministry of University, Research and Innovation; 80 hours of specialised mentoring, combining business coaching, legal consultancy on intellectual property, and technical support for the development and validation of technological solutions; free access to the premises and facilities of ESA BIC Andalusia in Seville, provided by the Seville City Council, throughout the incubation period; support in fundraising activities, including access to investors and public funding instruments; and participation in networking and visibility activities within the European ESA BICs network.