In the framework of the fourth edition of the international Health from Space Conference & Exhibition, the European Space Agency is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 EPIC Health for Space Competition.
This competition is organised under the umbrella of the ESA Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC) and aims to identify and support the most promising European space start-ups and scaleups developing space-enabled solutions for health, life sciences and biomedical applications. Through this initiative, ESA aims at creating structured links between the space and health ecosystems and enabling concrete cooperation between companies, institutions and end users.
Competition Highlights
Objective
The objective of the EPIC Health from Space Competition is to spotlight European space start-ups and scale-ups using space technologies to address challenges in healthcare, public health, biomedical research and health system resilience. The competition encourage collaboration between space companies, healthcare actors, institutions and industry to turn space-enabled innovation into real-world impact.
Prize
Selected companies will receive:
- Sponsoring of 2000 EUR to attend the Health from Space Conference & Exhibition 2026 in Cannes. A maximum of 3 companies will be selected.
- Support from ESA to engage with potential partners, stakeholders and institutional actors.
Event
The Health from Space Conference & Exhibition 2026 will take place on 24–25 March 2026 in Cannes, France.
The winner will be invited to join the event, being introduced to leading international partners including space agencies, healthcare institutions, industry, researchers and policymakers to all together explore how space technologies can transform health on Earth.
The Opportunity
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Engage with key stakeholders from the space and healthcare sectors.
- Meet potential partners, customers and investors.
- Explore collaboration opportunities with hospitals, health authorities, research institutions and industry.
- Gain visibility in a high-level international setting focused on space-enabled health innovation.
The Health from Space Conference has already demonstrated strong interest from industry, institutions and investors, with concrete partnerships and commercial opportunities emerging from previous editions.
Application Details
Applicants are required to submit the following:
- Business Proposal (max. 500 words): provide a high-level description of your space-enabled health solution, outlining the problem it addresses and your proposed solution.
- Health Impact & Relevance (max. 500 words): explain how your solution contributes to healthcare, public health, biomedical research or health system resilience, and why space technology is relevant to your approach.
- Use of Space Technologies (max. 400 words): describe how you use space assets (e.g. Earth observation, satellite communications, GNSS, space data, space infrastructure) and the value they bring compared to non-space alternatives.
- Partnership & Deployment Potential (max. 400 words): outline the type of partnerships you are seeking (e.g. hospitals, health authorities, pharma, medtech, NGOs, insurers) and the expected benefits of these collaborations.
- Team Overview: describe your team, relevant experience and current commercial or investment status.
In addition, applicants must submit a one-minute video introducing their team and solution.
Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be evaluated by a jury based on:
- Relevance of the solution to the European health sector.
- Credibility and added value of the space-enabled approach.
- Potential for partnerships and real-world deployment.
- Strength of the team and execution capability.
In the event of a tie, priority will be given to applicants that have not yet won an ESA space start-up competition in 2024 or 2025 (e.g. Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, UAE competitions, Prix Bulles Pierre Cardin).
Submission Guidelines
Please note that for eligibility, applicants must be incorporated in a European country (ESA or EU Member State).
Submit your proposal via the form below by 6 February 2026.
This competition is a unique opportunity for European space start-ups and scale-ups to position their solutions in the fast-growing health sector and connect with influential actors across space and healthcare. We strongly encourage all eligible companies to apply.
We look forward to discovering innovative solutions and fostering impactful collaborations at the intersection of space and health.
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