EUSPA’s #myEUspace competition is on again

EUSPA/PR/22/09 Prague, 20 October 2022

 

The #myEUspace competition seeks innovative commercial solutions leveraging the power of EU Space with the mission: to support entrepreneurs developing innovative commercial applications that leverage data and signals from the EU Space Programme. To get there, it’s put nearly EUR 1 million in prize money on the table. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) announced the launch of its annual #myEUspace competition. Now in its 3rd year, this popular competition challenges innovators to develop gamechanging commercial solutions that leverage EU Space data and signals from Galileo, Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and/or Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme.

“Space data is at the heart of the technological revolution currently sweeping Europe, and this competition is another example of how EUSPA supports innovative entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and enterprises from across the EU who are leveraging Copernicus and Galileo data, information and services during the different steps of their evolution cycle,” said EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.

“Start-ups and entrepreneurs are particularly enthusiastic about embracing the potential offered by the EU Space Programme and translating it into the innovative solutions that are sure to disrupt a wide range of sectors,” added EUSPA Head of Market, Downstream and Innovation Fiammetta Diani.

The #myEUspace competition is open to teams from all Member States plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and has a total prize purse of nearly EUR 1 million. In addition to the cash prize, the competition also provides support to entrepreneurs during the entire innovation cycle, from earlystage start-ups to scale-ups.

While ideas can range from mobile applications to hardware-based solutions, all must be tied to one of three targeted innovation areas:

• Space My Life: Consumer solutions like mobile applications, wearables (smart watches, smart glasses, fitness trackers, etc.), drones or robotics that address major societal challenges in focus areas such as health, citizen safety and security, gaming and entertainment, sports and fitness, and tourism.
• Our Green Planet: Innovative solutions addressing environmental challenges and sustainable life and that contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal, as well as solutions that aid the green transformation of corporations. The proposed solutions must address major societal challenges in focus areas such as the conservation of ecosystems, green mobility, sustainable agriculture and the management of energy and resources.
• Dive in Deep Tech: Innovative solutions that combine EU Space data with deep technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum (quantum computing, sensing, simulation, encryption, etc.), blockchain, the metaverse and extended reality (augmented reality [AR], mixed reality [MR], virtual reality [VR]). The proposed solutions must address major societal challenges in focus areas such as biotech, medtech and fintech.

Depending on the maturity of the solution at the time of application, entrepreneurs can compete and win in three different prize tracks: EUSPA’s #myEUspace competition is on again

• Best Ideas: for promising theoretical ideas that leverage EU space data and have a high market potential. The best 15 ideas will receive a cash prize of EUR 10K each.
• Best Prototypes: for tested prototypes or beta versions ready to be brought to market. The 10 best prototypes will receive a cash prize of EUR 30K each.
• Best Products: for existing commercial products looking to scale-up. The 5 best products will receive a cash prize of EUR 100K each.

Because the competition uses a rolling submission deadline, teams who win in one category can take the same award-winning idea or prototype and apply again in another track to compete and win additional prizes. The deadlines are 30 November 2022 for the Best Ideas track, 10 February 2023 for the Best Prototype track, and 23 April 2023 for the Best Products track.

All applications will be assessed based on their innovativeness, market potential, feasibility, relevance to the EU Space Programme and operational capacity. Awarded teams will be invited to showcase their solutions to the public and investors during the Contest Finals, part of next June’s Entrepreneurship Day. More information about the contest and how to register can be found here.

The #myEUspace competition is organised by EUSPA as part of the European Commission’s CASSINI – Space Entrepreneurship Initiative.

More Information

About the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, promotes the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services, coordinates the EU’s forthcoming governmental satellite communications programme GOVSATCOM and is in charge of the Programme’s Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front Desk operations service as of 2023. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all the EU Space Programme components. By fostering the development of an innovative and competitive space sector and engaging with the entire EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, the safety and security of the Union and its citizens, while reinforcing its autonomy and resilience.

For more information:

Marie Ménard EUSPA Communications Officer Marie.Menard@euspa.europa.eu Tel: +420 237 766 627 – Mobile: +420 602 619 77