ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha continues to move forward towards its launch and the incorporation of the first startups and innovative companies into its incubation programme.
The Government of Castilla-La Mancha is currently working on the regulatory framework that will enable the launch of the first calls for funding aimed at selecting the business projects that will join the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) in Castilla-La Mancha.
The aim is to approve the regulatory framework after the summer, paving the way for the first calls targeting startups and innovative companies developing projects related to space technologies or applications derived from the aerospace sector.
As part of this process, the Regional Director General for Universities, Research and Innovation, José Antonio Castro, held a working meeting with the Director of the Castilla-La Mancha Science and Technology Park (PCTCLM), Agustín Moreno, and Irene Sánchez, responsible for the management and coordination of ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha.
The meeting focused on the upcoming schedule and the technical and organisational aspects required to launch the incubator’s activities.
Funding, expert advice and access to an international network
The programme will provide €1 million in funding to support the innovative companies selected to join ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha.
In addition to financial support, selected startups will benefit from specialised technical advice, business mentoring, access to an international network of experts and tailored support to accelerate the development, growth and market readiness of their projects.
The regulatory framework will establish a stable, transparent and competitive process for selecting the business projects that will participate in the programme.
ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha has been created to foster the creation and growth of new companies that use space technologies to develop commercial products and services, as well as projects capable of generating new applications linked to the aerospace sector.
During its first five years of operation, the programme is expected to support at least 12 technology startups, which will benefit from the capabilities of Castilla-La Mancha’s innovation ecosystem and its connection to the European Space Agency’s ESA BIC network.
Based at the Castilla-La Mancha Science and Technology Park (PCTCLM) in Albacete, ESA BIC Castilla-La Mancha aims to become a key hub for space entrepreneurship, talent attraction and the creation and growth of new technology companies in Castilla-La Mancha.
