ESA BIC Norway

ESA BIC Norway operates as a comprehensive business incubation initiative spanning the entire Norwegian territory, with management provided by Kjeller Innovasjon in partnership with StartupLab, Fremtidens Industri, KPB, and Norinnova. Established in August 2018 as the 20th center in the European Space Agency's incubation network, this program aims to identify, fund, and nurture 40 promising space-tech startups over a six-year period. Each selected company has the flexibility to choose their preferred incubator partner from the collaboration network, ensuring tailored support for their specific business needs and development trajectory.

As part of the broader European ESA BIC network that supports over 150 companies annually, ESA BIC Norway benefits from a proven incubation model that has successfully fostered more than 1800 companies across Europe. This connection provides Norwegian startups with access to international expertise, potential partnerships, and expanded market opportunities beyond national borders. The program leverages ESA's technical knowledge, intellectual property, and facilities while combining them with local business development resources to create a powerful launchpad for space-related innovations.

Norway's space industry has entered a phase of significant expansion, with companies developing sophisticated satellite-based solutions for communication, navigation, and earth observation applications. This growth aligns perfectly with ESA BIC Norway's mission to accelerate commercialization of space technologies and their terrestrial applications. The program specifically targets entrepreneurs who can transform space-related technologies into viable business ventures, whether directly in the space sector or by applying space technologies to solve challenges in other industries such as maritime, offshore, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

The strategic objectives of ESA BIC Norway extend beyond mere company creation to encompass broader economic and societal impacts. By fostering profitable space-tech ventures and stimulating employment growth in high-technology sectors, the program contributes to Norway's transition toward a more diversified, knowledge-based economy. Selected companies receive up to €50,000 in funding, technical support from ESA experts, business development assistance, and access to investor networks. This comprehensive support system positions ESA BIC Norway as a crucial catalyst for the country's emerging space economy and its integration with European space initiatives.