FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) are the largest network of space incubators in the World. Their objective is to support entrepreneurs with a space-connected business idea and growing clusters of space-related startups across Europe. All ESA BICs are managed by local champions who connect their ESA BIC to the local industry, universities, research organisations, government, and investor communities. This makes the ESA BICs very well embedded in the local communities as well as the place of choice for all space-related innovation and business. Tapping into this excellence provides rich opportunities to get products and services off the ground and market ready. This European-wide network fosters annually the creation of more than 200 startups across Europe. To date, ESA BICs have helped starting about 1200 companies. The ESA BIC Alumni contribute to an ever-larger part of the space economy, attracting funding that in total exceeds what many European countries invest in Space. ESA BICs create the future of space!
The Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and ESA have identified the creation of ESA BIC Poland as a key element in the development plan of the Polish Space Industry. The objective of the ESA BIC Poland is to strengthen the community of successful space-related startups in Poland by supporting 35 startups over the period of 5 years under the ESA BIC scheme, so that they can develop their business and their technology until they are ready to leave the incubation phase and continue operating and growing afterwards.
Incubation takes place in two locations. In Warsaw, in the Brain Embassy co-working space – ul. Postępu 15 02-676 Warsaw. In Rzeszów, in the Science and Technology Park in Jasionka – Jasionka 954, 36-002 Jasionka. The operator of the Park is the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency S.A.
The applicant must choose where they want to be incubated. It depends on who will look after the applicant during the incubation process. In Warsaw it will be the Foundation for Technology Entrepreneurship, in Rzeszów it will be the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency S.A. It is also worth getting acquainted with the list of partners who cooperate within each location.
ESA BIC Poland will select in total 35 startups in 5 years, from January 2023 to December 2027. The incubation period for the last startups to be selected will be completed in 2028. Each year, 5 startups will be incubated in Warsaw, and 2 startups in Rzeszów.