Startups, investors, and space tech experts join forces at Space Academy Helsinki
On 3-4 June the H2020 project SpaceUp launched the first of six ‘Space Academies’, organised by EBAN (European Business Angel Network) in Helsinki, Finland. The Space Academy was a culmination of prior activities, stemming from a Call for space entrepreneurs interested in benefiting from SpaceUp’s expertise and looking to scale up and mature their business. The Space Academy gave selected startups the opportunity to participate in insightful sessions on a range of topics given by experts in the sectors. Ranging from how to become investment ready or getting tips on how to succeed in your crowd-funding campaign, to analysing business models, the use of robotics and AI in space applications, to proposal writing (either targeted towards getting European funds or in approaching ESA), these sessions provided entrepreneurs with key tips to be progressing, each in their own field. As part of the customised services SpaceUp provides, the 10 high level startups, as selected by the independent evaluation committee, were able to have one-to-one meetings with experts on a number of crucial matters, such as going over HR needs solutions, access to finance, or examining cross-technology solutions from space to non-space. All of this was in addition to this Space Academy forming part of the EBAN congress, meaning that the startups were interacting and pitching to an audience of investors and business angels, eager to hear more about the latest in space tech. Over 500 people attended the international EBAN Helsinki event, with more than 40 delegates participating in the interactive Space Academy sessions and 10 startups selected to get customised services from Space experts and investors. The next Space Academy will take place on 18-19 November in Bremen, with the Call for space tech entrepreneurs to open shortly. See www.space-academy.eu for more details and to apply.
Keywords
entrepreneurship, SMEs, Startups, technology, innovation, business, investment, Space