Opportunity for space start-ups to accelerate their business
In Helsinki, Finland (3-4 June), H2020 project SpaceUp will organise their first 'Space Academy'. During this intense two-day event, experts will provide space-specific commercial and technical assistance to start-ups and will also help them to apply space technology to non-space industrial, scientific and commercial fields, and vice versa. The life of a start-up begins with an idea and lots of enthusiasm. Within the European space sector start-ups have the possibility to find support and mentoring during their early stages in business incubation centers (BICs) and from the European Space Agency (ESA). Unfortunately, the period start-ups spend in BICs is limited and eventually they will have to leave their sheltered environment at a stage when most of them are not yet mature companies. This is where SpaceUp comes in. Via 6 Space Academies held throughout Europe, SpaceUp offers expertise to entrepreneurs, finding solutions to their needs through customized coaching services, one-to-one dedicated solutions modules, networking and matchmaking activities. Day one of the Space Academy consists of modules focusing on key topics such as investment readiness and relationships, crowdfunding, how new advanced technologies can shape your business, business models, or European funding. Day two gives participants the chance to listen to keynote speakers in panel sessions as well as selected start-ups pitching to investors. Applications are currently open to apply to join the Space Academy in Helsinki, where 10 selected start-ups/SMEs will be selected to receive specialised and tailored services for free, such as one-to-one meetings with investors and matter experts; international creditworthiness certificate; feasibility study on EU public funding; business model analysis; management and human resources analysis; or intellectual property rights analysis. Sign up by 28th February at www.space-academy.eu or contact info@space-academy.eu
Keywords
SMEs, startups, innovation, business, crowdfunding, space, satellites, SpaceEcosystem, SpaceAcademy