SMEs, innovation and space come together
The European space agency (ESA) has announced a new initiative to increase small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) participation in the satellite communications sector. Recognising that the satcom (satellite communications) sector is a difficult one for SMEs to enter, ESA's telecommunications department has established an initiative which could see SMEs benefit from a package which includes more than just financial assistance. On top of financial backing of up to 300,000 euros, ESA would provide know-how and experience and help with industrial contacts for the exploitation of results. ESA director of applications Claudio Mastracci says the initiative is directed at 'the entrepreneurs of Europe.' 'We believe [they] can make a significant contribution to the development of our satcoms industry,' he said. But he also emphasised that the initiative had been designed to take into account the specific nature and limitations of SMEs. 'We are aware that the satellite field is not an easy one for small companies to enter, but it is important that they are given the opportunity to do so, both to maximise their own potential for success and to ensure our industry benefits from the type of creative momentum which we are currently seeing in the terrestrial telecommunications and IT fields,' he said. The main objectives of the initiative will be to provide new services around existing technologies, such as those related to Internet and mobile communications, or to develop new technologies to help existing services. The initiative will be open entrepreneurs from all countries participating in the ESA telecommunications programme, which are 11 of the EU Member States (excluding Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg and the UK) as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland. Others will be allowed to join at a later stage.