European Space Agency
Greece has been a full member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2005. As a result, Greek companies, organizations, and other entities based in Greece are eligible to participate in ESA competitions with full rights.
ESA activities are divided into two categories: “mandatory” and “optional”. Programs funded by the General Budget and the Space Science Program budget are considered “mandatory” and include the agency’s core activities, such as studies for future projects, technology research, joint technical investments, information systems, and training programs.
All Member States contribute to these programs based on a scale determined by their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The “optional” programs, on the other hand, are of interest only to specific Member States, which are free to decide their level of participation.
These optional programs cover areas such as Earth observation, telecommunications, satellite navigation, and space transportation. Additionally, funding for the International Space Station and microgravity research is provided through optional contributions.
ESA uses a single online platform for announcing and conducting its competitions, the ESA-Star Publication System. Organizations based in Greece can register for free.
ESA BIC Greece – Greek ESA Business Incubator Centre
ESA BIC Greece (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre Greece) is ESA’s Business Incubator in Greece. Its primary goal is to strengthen the Greek space ecosystem by fostering the creation of five successful space start-ups each year.
The incubator supports start-ups that either leverage space technology for non-space markets (spin-off) or provide products and services to the space sector (spin-in).
ESA BIC Greece is part of the world’s largest space innovation network. It offers a comprehensive support package that includes business coaching, technical expertise, networking opportunities, access to funding, and legal assistance, all aimed at accelerating the development of start-ups both commercially and technologically.
ESA BIC Greece plays a pivotal role not only in supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups, from the inception of a business idea to its full commercialization, but also in establishing, developing, and strengthening the space cluster in Greece. It contributes to national innovation and space strategies, promotes the further utilization of space-based services, facilitates technology transfer to and from the space sector, and fosters job creation and economic growth.
ESA BIC Greece is operated by Corallia, a unit of the Athena Research Center, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Governance and over 80 other organizations. These entities have recognized the establishment of ESA BIC Greece as a key element in the development plan for the Greek Space Industry.
