Get inspiration to join the SBIC pre-incubation training course this month from Thomas Parry, CEO of Spherical Systems. You too could go from the spark of an idea to having a hugely successful space business within a few years. Take the first step now by applying to the Ignition Programme to start on your entrepreneurship journey! Building a space business takes the right mindset and research. Get help to nail the space link and investigate the feasibility of your idea this summer. Apply by 15 May. Access the application form here.
The Ignition Programme 2025 is awaiting for your application!
Take action to secure your place for this training programme. Whether you want to go on to ESA BIC Noordwijk or are just starting to develop your space business idea, this is for you! It will be of interest to entrepreneurs wishing to develop an insight-based and validated business plan, and help them get a good understanding of the needs of potential customers.
Curious to get some inspiration from participants of previous editions and to find out how they have progressed? Look no further than the 2022 edition when a number of pre-incubation startups went on to join ESA BIC Noordwijk and have become successful space businesses. The 2022 cohort included Ecosmic, Revolv Space and Spherical Systems.
Spherical’s success story
“I took part in the Ignition Programme offered by SBIC to prepare startups for incubation,” commented Thomas Parry, co-founder of Spherical Systems, who confirms that this course was “pivotal to go from an idea to the first steps of building a business.” He continued: “The programme provided excellent insight on developing and understanding the core customer value proposition, as well as guidance on the practicalities of starting a company. The chance to meet and work with other entrepreneurs, experts and SBIC staff was an added bonus.”
“I applied to the next round of ESA BIC [in the fall of 2022]. I’m not sure if it was expected that I go straight ahead, but I wanted to take action and didn’t see the point of waiting around,” said Thomas. And it is this determination that has seen his business grow to what it is today! Spherical is going from strength to strength and, since graduating from ESA BIC Noordwijk in 2024, Thomas was announced by ESA as the recipient of the “Junior Entrepreneur Leader Award” in February 2025. On being awarded this prize by Géraldine Naja (ESA’s director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness), he commented: “It’s a great to time to build in space, in the Netherlands, and in Europe.” Don’t you agree?
Stepping stone to ESA BIC
For 2025, there is an exciting (new) format with three expert trainers ready to take you on an entrepreneurial journey: Derk Schneemann, Jeroen Coelen and Jacobo Domingo. The Ignition Programme offers dedicated training with a core programme of 8 days (spread over 8 weeks) at SBIC Noordwijk. The goal is to deepen the various aspects of a successful idea. In essence, the programme educates startups to develop an insight-based and validated business plan, and helps them to gain a good understanding of the needs of potential customers.
You will learn about:
- Clarifying the space link of your business
- Diving into the technical feasibility of your idea
- Learning about finance and IP
- Improving your business model
- Researching the market need
The core blocks will cover:
- Value logic
- Innovation mindset
- Funnel thinking
- Customer focus
- Expert sessions
- Enhancing product offerings
- Drill down
- Pitch delivery
Alongside the core programme of workshops, there’ll be expert sessions and an exciting pitch competition to close proceedings on the last day. We seek a committed cohort with full attendance; however, if you cannot make all the Fridays, don’t let this stop you from signing up! You can share your availability in the application form.
The Ignition Programme will be of interest to entrepreneurs wishing to develop an insight-based and validated business plan, and help them get a good understanding of the needs of potential customers. Existing startups (less than 3 years old), student teams, solo founders, all are welcome. Whether you want to prepare to go for ESA BIC later this year or are just starting to develop your space business idea, this is for you!
GOOD TO KNOW:
1. The programme will be in English.
2. There is no application fee.
3. This is the only edition of the programme during 2025.
4. The Friday training sessions will all be at SBIC Noordwijk.
Before you apply, make sure to read all the terms and conditions (PDF) that you’ll need to agree to before participating.
