ESA is seeking companies and start-ups to commercialise its cutting-edge technologies.
With a portfolio of around 550 patents, the European Space Agency has launched a permanent open call for innovative ideas to mature these patents into market-ready products and services.
Continuous Open Call for Innovation
ESA’s Technology Transfer team, in collaboration with the Discovery & Preparation team, invites submissions through the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP). Companies can receive up to €175,000 in funding for their ideas. An updated list of patents available for commercialisation is provided under “Commercial and technical maturation of ESA’s inventions”.
Applicants should identify the field of application and commercial opportunity for the selected invention. ESA offers its intellectual property on a freely licensed basis to European space companies within its 23 Member States. For companies outside ESA Member States or for non-space applications, a different licensing model with royalties applies.
ESA’s 2021 Campaign: a Success Story
In 2021, ESA’s campaign “New Ideas for the Commercial Use of ESA’s Inventions” funded eight projects, showcasing the potential of ESA’s patents. One standout project came from Sener, a Spanish space technology company. Sener proposed an enhancement to an ESA patent on the syntonisation of signals between satellites. This innovation aimed to improve the timing positioning and navigation signals by achieving not only syntonisation but also synchronisation of local oscillators on different satellites. This coordination allows satellites to work together more effectively, enhancing applications in radio astronomy, remote sensing, and navigation.
Mercedes Sánchez Álvarez, Technology Transfer Engineer at ESA, highlights the impact: “This is just a small step to get patents closer to the commercialisation phase. We see industry using these ideas and starting to commercialise them, gaining new customers”.
This example highlights how ESA’s open call is not just about funding, but about fostering innovation and collaboration. By participating, companies can leverage ESA’s credibility and expertise to bring groundbreaking technologies to market.
For further information and to submit your ideas, read the full article by clicking on the button below.
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