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What are Growth Projects?
BASS Growth Projects are a new funding framework designed to help space-enabled solutions that have already achieved demonstrable commercial success in a primary market to unlock secondary market opportunities.
The scope of Growth Projects includes the development, integration and testing of new service elements to meet the requirements of secondary markets, as well as the implementation of large-scale pilots.
Who are Growth Projects for?
ESA BASS Growth Projects are aimed at ambitious companies or industrial teams which have developed a space-enabled solution that has already been validated in the primary market. This funding opportunity is intended as a springboard for business growth by supporting expansion into new markets.
What we offer
- ESA funding
- personalised support from a member of the ESA team
- the use of the ESA brand for credibility
Optional Support:
Some companies applying for Growth Projects may not yet have a fully established ecosystem to commercialise their solution at scale and may need to expand their network of partners. For this reason, the Growth Project framework offers optional support to assist companies with establishing strategic partnerships, expanding the value chain, enabling access to global markets and managing the business risks associated with the identified market opportunities. This will be done by connecting applicants with strategic players from the Growth Projects Partner Network. This network, established by ESA, brings together business multipliers, investors, accelerators, consultancies, users, customers, and data or asset providers, with the objective of fostering strategic partnerships that strengthen the value chain, facilitate access to global markets, and mitigate business risks by connecting projects with organisations able to provide relevant expertise, resources, or market access. If your company can provide some of the support described above, scroll further down for more information.
The optional support includes access to:
- the Growth Projects Partner Network
- ESA BASS Task Forces
- business coaching, matchmaking and exposure opportunities
- networking and dedicated events
How much funding is available?
Please see the detailed co-funding rules below:
| Growth Projects | |
|---|---|
| Activity Cost | case by case assessment (limited to eligible cost) |
| ESA Co-funding | |
| Baseline | up to 50% of eligible cost |
| Micro, small and medium enterprises | up to 80% of eligible cost |
| Universities, research institutes, the public sector (without commercial interest) | up to 100% of eligible cost with ESA co-funding not exceeding 30% of the total activity cost |
| Universities, research institutes, the public sector (with commercial interest) | up to 75% of eligible cost |
| Industry co-funding | remaining costs required to carry out the activity. Co-funding can be provided through the public or private sector, directly or indirectly |
Please note that funding participation is open to groups, organisations and businesses that reside in ESA member states that have subscribed to BASS.
Currently these countries are Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
How to apply for a Growth Project
To start the application process you will first need to create an account on ESA's Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP).
The application process follows a standard three-step process:
Growth Project Questionnaire (GPQ) > Outline Proposal > Full Proposal
Within the GPQ form, the company can indicate areas of support required at the point of submission. Once the GPQ step has successfully passed to the next stage, ESA will support when possible by, for example, facilitating introductions with members of the Growth Projects Partner Network.
Please note that a Written Authorisation for ESA Funding must be submitted together with the Full Proposal – applicants are advised to contact their National Delegation(s) as early as possible in the process to obtain one.
Are you interested in joining the Growth Projects Partner Network?
We are inviting expressions of interest from investors, accelerators, consultancies, business multipliers, and organisations interested in collaborating, testing, or adopting emerging space-enabled services. By joining this network, you will gain access to future matchmaking opportunities designed to connect relevant partners and support collaboration across the space-enabled ecosystem.
Investors:
It is a high-level objective for ESA to foster commercialisation of and private investment in the European Space industry. As part of this network, investors have early visibility and access to Growth Project candidates.
Accelerators, Consultancies and Business Multipliers:
Accelerators, consultancies and business multipliers are invited to participate in future exchanges and matchmaking events to support Growth Project candidates establish strategic partnerships, expand their value chain, enable access to global markets and manage the business risks.
Organisations interested in supporting Growth Projects as users or customers:
ESA will be supporting Growth Project candidates with matchmaking to users and customers whenever this is required. Companies willing to collaborate can benefit from:
- early access to innovative space-based solutions entering new markets
- opportunities to co-develop or test services within large-scale pilots
- participation in matchmaking activities organised by ESA BASS
- building strategic relationships with innovative European companies
Companies interested in supporting Growth Projects as technology, data or asset providers:
If your organisation has some technology, data or assets you’d like to provide to support Growth Projects, we would like to hear from you.
Express interest in joining the Growth Projects Partner Network
Disclaimer
Please note that all information provided on this webpage is for general guidance only. In case of any discrepancies or conflicts, the official ESA sources shall always take precedence. These include, but are not limited to:
• esa-star publication
• esa-star tendering
Participants are strongly advised to refer to these official channels for authoritative and up-to-date information regarding ESA opportunities, requirements, and procedures.