The Dutch business incubation centre of the European Space Agency (ESA BIC Noordwijk) is one of a network of 36 ESA BICs across Europe. It offers an open call for applications and the next selection deadline is on 30 March 2026. In this article, we take a look at successful innovations that are making a splash (excuse the pun) in maritime and aquatic sectors. If you have an idea utilising navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and Earth observation (EO) technologies and can make them part of your business plan to develop new downstream space applications, why not apply to get support to develop your innovation? Or perhaps you have a technology transfer solution, such as water recycling technologies, marking a new step towards a more sustainable future. Apply to ESA BIC
Unlocking the positive impact of space data
Satellites orbiting Earth collect vast quantities of data about oceans, weather patterns, soil moisture, ship movements and environmental change. For entrepreneurs and innovators, this stream of space-derived information represents an untapped opportunity. The next generation of tech startups can use satellite data to build tools that solve real problems on Earth – from protecting marine ecosystems to improving water management and strengthening global supply chains.
One particularly promising area is water and ocean monitoring. Satellite imagery and radar sensors can track ocean temperatures, algal blooms, sediment movement and coastal changes in near real time. A startup could combine satellite observations with artificial intelligence (AI) models to create early warning systems for harmful algal blooms that threaten fisheries and drinking water. Such platforms could alert local governments, aquaculture farms and water utilities before contamination spreads, helping protect both public health and coastal economies.
Maritime and aquatic solutions
The maritime sector is another area where satellite data has already proven valuable – and where further innovation is possible. Satellites can detect vessel movements using automatic identification system (AIS) signals and radar imagery. Startups could develop analytics platforms that identify suspicious patterns linked to illegal fishing, smuggling or unreported shipping activity. Governments, insurers and conservation groups could use these insights to enforce regulations, reduce risk and promote sustainable ocean use.
Satellite technology can also transform freshwater management. By monitoring rainfall, soil moisture, groundwater indicators and reservoir levels, satellites provide a global view of water availability. A startup might build a predictive platform that helps cities anticipate droughts or optimise reservoir usage. By using such solutions, farmers would benefit from satellite-driven irrigation recommendations that reduce water waste while improving crop yields.
Beyond water and maritime applications, satellite data can support climate risk modeling for insurers, monitor deforestation and biodiversity loss, track infrastructure development or assess landscape changes after flooding. As open datasets become more widely available, the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs are lower than ever.
Answer the challenge and develop your space business idea
The key opportunity is translating raw space data into practical insights. Startups that combine satellite information with machine learning and local sensor networks, while user-friendly software can create powerful decision-making tools. By turning data from space into solutions on Earth, innovators have the chance not only to build successful companies, but also to protect ecosystems, manage resources more sustainably and improve life for communities around the world.
Do you have an idea utilising EU satellite data to meet the following challenges? Apply by 19 April to join the Dutch heat of the CASSINI Hackathon with its theme Space for Water:
- Disaster risk monitoring: Develop tools that support flood monitoring and early warning systems.
- Tracking and preventing water pollution: Explore how Earth observation can detect and monitor environmental impacts
- Securing equitable and efficient access to water: Use satellite data to monitor water availability and support resource management
Or develop your idea into a successful business with the support of ESA BIC Noordwijk, just as the below companies have done in recent years. Apply by the spring selection deadline of 30 March.
ESA BIC startups utilising space data for aquatic applications
Here, we highlight a number of ESA BIC startups’ solutions that leverage the latest satellite data sources and advanced forecasting models.
- MARMORIS
Marmoris is supporting life below water from space
Space link:
Marmoris uses space technology to make coral reef restoration and conservation efforts easier, faster and cheaper. Helping to give coral reefs across the globe a chance of survival, the startup makes use of remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and AI to help stakeholders involved in coastal ecosystem conservation make data-driven decisions to increase the effectiveness of their work and lower the costs. These technologies can particularly be highly valuable to scaling up coral conservation and restoration efforts. Read incubation interview
- REEF SUPPORT
Empowering marine biodiversity with space data
Space link:
Reef Support is focused on helping marine biologists in their task of researching and improving the health of coral reefs by using satellite data and AI. With a small team and a fast pace, the startup uses efficient tools to deploy and train their AI and machine learning (ML) models for its solutions portfolio. Working with engineers, scientists and conservation partners focused on coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves, the startup pairs data with digital tools and community programmes to support monitoring and restoration work. Read about the startup
- 2C DEGREES
2C Degrees navigates water scarcity with satellite precision
Space link:
2C Degrees primarily utilises Sentinel satellite imagery made available by the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as other satellite data and remote sensing. The accessibility to satellite data facilitates the startup’s solution to provide foresight for slow-moving water crises. Via its platform, data is extracted from satellite images to make predictions about (surface) water bodies, such as rivers, to provide insights about whether they will expand or shrink over time. During the period of incubation at ESA BIC, 2C Degrees collaborated with such organisations as Macomi and Partners for Water, among others. Read incubation interview
Apply by the next ESA BIC selection deadline: 30 March 2026
If you are interested to apply to ESA BIC, make sure you can explain your business idea’s space connection in the application process and emphasise your validated space link. Will the space asset of your innovation by downstream, technology transfer or upstream? In some cases, it can be evident what the space link is, especially for those entrepreneurs concentrating on upstream technologies or offering technology transfer innovations. However, for anyone building a business accessing everything that satellites are capable of achieving and looking to use space assets or resources for the development of downstream terrestrial applications, then just stating you will be “using Earth observation data” or “using satellite navigation” just doesn’t cut it. Discover more here.
APPLY TO ESA BIC NOORDWIJK
You can apply to the Dutch business incubation programme of the European Space Agency, ESA BIC Noordwijk, if you are an entrepreneur or startup. The programme gives you the best chance of developing your space business idea via a well-established network and community in the heart of the Dutch space industry. You need to be resident in the Netherlands, with a company that is not yet founded or not older than 5 years. Then, the rest is up to you. Share your business proposal in the next application round and you could be joining our space community soon. Follow the pre-steps before submitting your application by one of the two selection deadlines per year. esa-bic.nl
Prepare your space business idea for lift off!
Discover everything you need to know about the ESA BIC Noordwijk programme.
See also:
- ESA BIC Open Call: What startups applying for incubation can expect
- Inside the ESA BIC community: What we expect from our startups and why
