The strongest cohort of the ESA-supported Ignition Programme yet graduated recently. A total of 15 teams gained insights from mentors and partners while busily working on validating their business idea to prepare to apply for ESA BIC Noordwijk on 5 Oct 2026. View the gallery of photos!
Ignition Programme
Prepare to succeed by joining the pre-incubation Ignition Programme as a stepping stone to ESA BIC Noordwijk
Want to take your space business idea to new heights? Take 4 days this summer to join boost your startup via the ESA-supported Ignition Programme. Get inspiration from previous participants and take that first step to validate your idea.
Be in the next cohort of ESA-supported Ignition Programme: Apply for pre-incubation by 6 Aug
Get ready to transform your early-stage space innovation into a market-ready venture. The ESA-supported Ignition Programme is the perfect step to investigate the feasibility of your idea via pre-incubation. Spaces are limited; apply by Aug.
Spherical’s ESA BIC success story: “Pivotal to go from an idea to the first steps of building a business”
Want to go from the spark of an idea to successful space business? Then, get inspiration from Thomas Parry of Spherical Systems. Getting into ESA BIC was pivotal for his startup. Read about this entrepreneur’s journey as a stepping-stone to ESA BIC.
Ignition Programme 2024: Calling aspiring space entrepreneurs to apply by 22 May
Follow in the footsteps of the most recent ESA BIC startup Ceres Space by joining the Ignition Programme to develop an insight-driven and validated space-related business plan.
Three vital steps for building a space related business
Building a space business takes the right mindset, research and getting help to nail the space link as well as investigating feasibility. Need help with that? Read these steps and then apply to the Ignition Programme!





