The Science and Technology Park of Castilla-La Mancha (PCTCLM) has hosted the official launch event of ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) new business incubation centre in the region. The initiative is designed to support the creation and growth of startups based on space technologies and their applications across strategic sectors.
The programme also featured a special contribution from ESA astronaut Pablo Álvarez Fernández, who shared an inspiring message about the opportunities emerging from the new space economy.
During the event, Irene Sánchez Sánchez-Ajofrín, Project Manager at PCTCLM and Manager of ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha, highlighted how space technologies have already become part of everyday life through applications such as satellite navigation, advanced weather forecasting and precision agriculture. She emphasised that space has become “an enormous opportunity for innovation, entrepreneurship and business creation.”
The event brought together representatives from the European Space Agency, the Spanish Space Agency, the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), companies from the aerospace ecosystem and entrepreneurs interested in developing innovative projects linked to the space sector.
Knowledge Transfer Driving Innovation
PCTCLM’s Managing Director, Agustín Moreno Campayo, delivered the institutional welcome alongside representatives of the European Space Agency and the Spanish Space Agency.
Moreno described the initiative as a transformative project that represents both a new research hub and an unprecedented leap forward for the region.
“This is what true knowledge transfer looks like: incubated companies identifying specific challenges that can then be transformed into solutions through collaboration with students, technology centres and research institutions,” he stated.
Moreno explained that ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha joins Europe’s largest network of space-focused business incubators, an initiative promoted by ESA that includes more than 35 centres across Europe and has supported nearly 2,000 startups.
An Ecosystem Ready for Growth
The programme manager highlighted that Castilla-La Mancha was selected thanks to a unique combination of strengths, including its strategic location, industrial capabilities, technology centres, leading research groups and a university strongly committed to knowledge transfer.
She also emphasised the region’s competitive operating costs, availability of space for expansion and high quality of life as key factors for attracting and retaining technological talent.
Comprehensive Support for Innovative Startups
Selected startups will receive €60,000 in non-dilutive funding over a two-year period, together with personalised business mentoring, specialised technical support, legal advice and access to workspaces, laboratories and innovation infrastructures across Castilla-La Mancha.
In addition, companies will become part of the international ESA BIC network, gaining access to strategic partners, customers and investors throughout Europe.
The programme is open both to projects that use space technologies to solve challenges on Earth and to initiatives developing terrestrial technologies with potential applications in the space sector.
A New Boost for the Regional Space Economy
The institutional launch event featured speeches by Amador Pastor Noheda, Regional Minister for Education, Culture and Sports of Castilla-La Mancha; Manuel Serrano López, Mayor of Albacete; Julián Garde López-Brea, Rector of the University of Castilla-La Mancha; Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido, Director of the Spanish Space Agency and Chair of the ESA Council; and Emiliano García-Page Sánchez, President of Castilla-La Mancha.
With the launch of ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha, PCTCLM strengthens its role as a driving force for regional innovation and creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs, researchers and companies to transform knowledge into competitive business projects capable of succeeding in international markets.
“We want to help our entrepreneurs, researchers, students and companies transform knowledge into innovation, and innovation into growth,” said Irene Sánchez, encouraging attendees to explore the opportunities offered by the new initiative and turn the next generation of innovative ideas emerging from the region into success stories within the European space economy.
