The Greek Space Tech Forum 2026 (GSTF26) took place in Athens, Greece, on 7–8 July 2026 and provided the setting for the celebration of the 5th anniversary of ESA Business Incubation Centre in Greece (ESA BIC Greece), bringing together representatives from the Greek Government, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission, industry, investors, research organisations and startups to discuss the future of the Greek space economy.
Celebrating five years of ESA BIC Greece
The anniversary celebration highlighted the progress achieved since the establishment of ESA BIC Greece in 2021 and its contribution to building a vibrant national space innovation ecosystem as part of the wider ESA BIC network.
During its first five years of operation, ESA BIC Greece has established itself as a cornerstone of Greece’s space innovation ecosystem, supporting the commercialisation of space technologies and the creation of innovative startups in Greece.
Operated by Corallia, a Unit of the Athena Research Centre, the programme has supported 32 space-related startups, helping entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into commercial ventures through business coaching, technical expertise, mentoring, networking opportunities and access to national and European innovation networks. Over the same period, ESA BIC Greece has attracted interest from more than 40 000 individuals, received 85 complete applications, supported the creation of 13 new companies established as a direct result of the programme, contributed to the development of 7 university spin-offs, encouraged brain regain through three startup teams reconnecting with Greece, supported the creation of more than 90 highly skilled jobs, and contributed to more than €8 million in business activity and funding.
These results demonstrate the growing maturity of Greece’s space entrepreneurship ecosystem and the increasing role of space technologies in driving innovation, competitiveness and economic growth. Commenting on the programme’s first five years, Dr. Jorge-A. Sanchez-P., Director of ESA BIC Greece, said: “The first five years of ESA BIC Greece demonstrate that Greece is no longer simply participating in Europe’s space activities. The country is building its own capabilities, its own companies, its own technologies and its own place within the New Space Economy. ESA BIC Greece has evolved from an incubation programme into a catalyst for company creation, job creation, technology maturation and international growth. The programme’s greatest success, however, is the founders, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of Greece’s space economy.”
From incubation to competitiveness: ESA support across ACCESS
The achievements of ESA BIC Greece reflect the broader objectives of ESA’s ACCESS programme, which supports the commercialisation of space through complementary elements addressing different stages of company growth. Through its ScaleUp element, ACCESS supports entrepreneurship and business creation through initiatives such as the ESA Business Incubation Centres, while the Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) element helps companies develop and deploy space-enabled services addressing market and societal needs.
This progression from incubation to market adoption was reflected throughout the Forum and in contributions from ESA representatives, including Nick Appleyard, Head of the Commercialisation Acceleration Department, and Asimina Syriou, Energy Lead for ESA BASS, who highlighted the importance of supporting companies throughout their growth journey while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and commercial space ecosystem.
The discussions also highlighted that building a successful space ecosystem requires more than creating new startups. While incubation remains a critical first step, ambitious companies need opportunities to continue growing, access new markets, develop partnerships and bring innovative products and services to customers. Supporting this progression requires a broader ecosystem of commercialisation tools and initiatives that can accompany companies throughout their development journey.
Alongside incubation, initiatives focused on business acceleration, technology transfer, industrial collaboration and commercial applications can help create a more complete growth pathway for high-potential companies, enabling them to translate innovation into long-term economic impact and international competitiveness.
Public-private collaboration supporting the Greek ecosystem
Among the highlights of the session were presentations on the evolution of ESA BIC Greece, discussions on the role of public-private collaboration in supporting space entrepreneurship and the announcement of the programme’s continued expansion.
During the event, the Deputy Minister of Development, Stavros Kalafatis, underlined the programme’s impact, noting that 31 of the 32 supported companies remain active, having already generated €5.3 million in revenues, secured €2.7 million in additional public funding, and created 90 permanent jobs.
As part of the Forum, ESA BIC Greece also organised the ESA BIC Greece Startups Competition, where incubatees and alumni presented their technologies, products and business progress to participants from across the Greek and European space ecosystem.
The session showcased the diversity of the programme’s portfolio, with companies developing innovative solutions across Earth observation, satellite communications, robotics, maritime applications, logistics, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
The presentations demonstrated the high level of technological maturity and commercial potential that now characterises the Greek space startup ecosystem.
During the Startup Pitching Session, ODES SPACE won the competition, while all participating companies highlighted the remarkable progress achieved throughout their incubation journey and the growing competitiveness of Greece’s emerging New Space sector.
The event concluded with networking activities and a commemorative group photo bringing together incubatees, alumni, partners and the ESA BIC Greece team, celebrating the achievements of the programme’s first five years and marking the beginning of its next phase of development.
Following its successful first five years, ESA BIC Greece enters a new phase with an even stronger ambition to support innovative entrepreneurs, accelerate technology transfer, strengthen links between research and industry, attract investment and further integrate Greek startups into the European space ecosystem.
About ESA BICs
This activity forms part of ESA’s ACCESS programme, which supports the commercialisation of innovative technologies in the space and non-space sectors. Through the programme’s ScaleUp element, ESA helps companies accelerate business development, technology transfer and market adoption. One of ScaleUp’s key components is the ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) network, which provides startups with funding, expert support, mentoring and access to valuable industrial and technical networks to help transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.
Learn more on ESA BICs