Highlights of the European Space Agency’s achievements of the last 12 months includes the ongoing expansion of ESA’s Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) network. In this post, we also take a look back at some of the highlights featuring Dutch startups this year. A number of ESA BIC Noordwijk alumni were honoured with various ESA awards and accolades throughout 2025, while others were featured in ESA publications.
A clear takeaway from the ESA BIC network celebration back in February this year was the importance of all working together and the powerful force of collaboration for expanding knowledge exchange to address global challenges. By strengthening the ecosystem, ESA sought to align with plans of Member States and connect at a strategic level. With a successful ESA Ministerial Council Meeting in November, it appears those connections are being ever more firmly established. So much so, the strengthening network receives a six-page section in the ESA Highlights 2025 publication, in which ESA BIC Noordwijk is featured.
Accolades for ESA BIC Noordwijk startups
We now take a moment to mark the highlights from this year where ESA has honoured a number of graduates from the Dutch ESA BIC programme. Far from being an abstract concept, space technology underpins essential services – satellite navigation, defence systems and global communication all depend on space infrastructure. Startups developing novel space related solutions for global challenges all begin with a business idea. Incubation programmes like ESA BIC Noordwijk bring with them the spark for entrepreneurs to develop their products and see the trajectory of their business head in the right direction.
Ignite your business idea by joining the pre-incubation programme to prepare for ESA BIC >>
ESA Rising Stars 2025
What: The ESA Rising Stars initiative, led by the ESA Commercialisation Directorate, aims to identify the most promising European space startups and scaleups within its ecosystem.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startup awarded: alumnus Arceon
Arceon was one of the 20 laureates selected in Nov 2025. These companies stand out for bringing forward innovative technologies and business models that are strengthening Europe’s space sector. Each of them has benefited from ESA technology or commercial development programmes over the past 18 months.
Links: ESA article | ESA LinkedIn post
ESA EPIC Europe–Australian Startup Competition
What: This competition is an initiative that fosters global partnerships, supports access to bigger markets and drives innovation for space and for Earth. Its ambition to further support the internationalisation of space related businesses beyond Europe.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startup awarded: Solidflow (spin-off of alumnus HDES)
Solidflow was one of six winners of this competition, all of which accompanied ESA representatives to attend the International Astronautical Congress (IAS) in Sydney, Australia in Sep 2025. This afforded the company access to industry connections and partnership opportunities.
Links: ESA article | Solidflow LinkedIn post
While in Australia, the Solidflow team announced it was expanding its business into Australia in collaboration with local partners Advier Australia and Spacelink Consulting. Pictured is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the IAS:
Harm van de Wetering, director of the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), said: “This partnership demonstrates how Dutch innovation can contribute to global challenges while opening new opportunities for cooperation with Australia. Solidflow’s technology is a strong example of how solutions developed within the European space ecosystem can create real impact both in space and on Earth. We are proud to see this Dutch expertise finding its way to Australia and look forward to the benefits it will bring across industries.”
ESA Entrepreneur Leader Award
What: At a celebratory event in Munich focusing on 20 years of the ESA BIC network in Feb 2025, a number outstanding achievements among ESA BIC startups being honoured with prizes awarded by Géraldine Naja (ESA’s director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness).
ESA BIC Noordwijk entrepreneur awarded: Thomas Parry (of alumnus Spherical Systems)
Thomas Parry commented after the ceremony: “A big thank you to the whole team at the ESA BIC Noordwijk, in particular Martijn Leinweber who has been there for us since day one. In addition, thank you to NSO and Ramon Peeters for their support in the ESA BIC programme (and beyond!). It’s a great to time to build in space, in the Netherlands and in Europe.”
Links: ESA article | SBIC article
ESA ScaleUp Book
What: The ESA ScaleUp Book was publshed in Nov 2025 and celebrates various pioneers advancing space commercialisation across Europe. It offers critical insights into the evolving space industry, emphasising entrepreneurship and the role of diversity in shaping Europe’s space future.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startup featured: alumnus Lens R&D
Inspirational stories from entrepreneurs and innovators are highlighted, such as the journey of Lens R&D in an interview with CEO Johan Leijtens and ESA BIC Noordwijk programme manager Martijn Leinweber.
Links: ESA article | SBIC article
Lens R&D’s Sunsensors were launched to space on ESA’s twin Proba-3 platforms around this time last year; the mission has had several successful milestones in 2025, see the latest update here)
ESA Highlights 2025
What: The ESA Highlights 2025 was published in Dec 2025 and features in-depth articles covering the 50-year anniversary of ESA’s founding, the first 30 years of ESA navigation efforts, Euclid’s mission to the ‘dark Universe’, the ongoing expansion of the ESA BIC network and the first artificial solar eclipse in space, performed by the agency’s Proba-3 mission.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startups featured: alumni Revolv Space and Skytree
Our response: “Great to see ESA BIC Noordwijk featured in the ESA Highlights 2025 publication. Incredibly proud to see two out of the five “winning ideas” listed are from ESA BIC Noordwijk alumni (Skytree and Revolv Space) and see if you can spot any of the Dutch delegation in the group shot on p.28!
Link: ESA article | ESA BIC LinkedIn post
Do you have a space business idea? Watch out for news about the spring 2026 ESA BIC selection deadline – to prepare, we encourage you to join the Ignition Programme!
Validate your space business idea via pre-incubation; apply by 5 Feb 2026:
CHOOSE ESA BIC NOORDWIJK TO LAUNCH YOUR SPACE BUSINESS IN 2026!
You can apply to 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 and be eligible to work in the Netherlands, with a company that is not yet founded and, if it is, then it is not older than 5 years. Then, the rest is up to you. Share your business proposal in the next application round and you could join our space community in 2026. The first step is to reach out to our very helpful team and book your introduction meeting here.
