ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Sweden supported Northern Waves in commercialising additive manufacturing technologies for space and communications applications
Through funding, business support and access to ESA’s wider network, the incubation programme helped the company advance its technology, engage with customers and partners, and pursue further opportunities within the European space ecosystem.
Founded with the ambition of applying additive manufacturing to high-frequency microwave and antenna systems, Northern Waves develops Radio Frequency (RF) hardware for space and advanced communications applications. By reducing the number of individual parts required in conventional assemblies, the company’s approach supports lighter, more integrated and mechanically robust microwave components and antennas.
From the outset, the ESA BIC programme played a central role in transforming Northern Waves from a research-driven startup into a market-oriented deep-tech company. The incubation provided financial support, along with structured guidance, technical support, and access to a wider ESA ecosystem that proved essential at each stage of the company’s growth and credibility.
Bridging advanced manufacturing and satellite communications
Northern Waves focuses on the design and production of microwave components and antennas using metal additive manufacturing. Traditional RF hardware manufacturing often relies on complex assemblies composed of multiple machined parts, introducing alignment risks, higher mass, and manufacturing complexity.
Through additive manufacturing, Northern Waves enables monolithic RF architectures where multiple microwave functions can be integrated into a single structure. This approach can reduce part count from dozens of individual components to a single piece while achieving significant mass reductions compared with conventional assemblies and improving mechanical robustness.
Northern Waves’ Scalar Feed Horn Antennas, optimised for satellite communications, radio astronomy and reflector feed systems
The role of ESA BIC Sweden in the commercialisation path
Northern Waves joined ESA BIC Sweden at an early stage, when the company was still refining both its technology roadmap and its market positioning. Through the incubation, the ESA BIC provided a structured framework to align technical development with commercial objectives. This included business coaching, access to domain experts, and continuous feedback on how to adapt the technology to real customer needs within the space sector.
Additionally, the ESA BIC support helped Northern Waves engage with ESA programmes beyond incubation. The company secured multiple contracts under ESA initiatives, including early-stage innovation activities and more application-driven developments (e.g. the “Conformal Fully-Metallic Additive Manufactured Dual-Band Polarizer for Space Communications” activity run through ESA Open Space Innovation Platform and the “Development of a Dielectric Lens for Improving Space Segment Satellite Communications in E-Band” run under the ARTES programme). These projects enabled Northern Waves to mature its manufacturing processes, validate its designs under space-relevant requirements, and demonstrate performance at frequencies relevant for next-generation satellite communications.
In parallel, the ESA BIC network facilitated connections with research institutions, industrial partners, and potential customers. These interactions helped Northern Waves position itself not only as a manufacturing supplier, but as a technology partner capable of co-developing advanced RF hardware solutions.
From prototype to commercial deployment
During and after the incubation period, Northern Waves transitioned from early prototyping to serial production of microwave components. The company has delivered hundreds of RF components to more than sixty customers worldwide, spanning space, telecommunications, defence, automotive radar, and scientific research infrastructures.
In this transition, ESA-supported projects provided reference applications, technical validation, and early commercial opportunities that reduced market risk and accelerated the adoption of Northern Waves’ technology. The association with ESA also strengthened customer confidence, particularly for applications where qualification, traceability, and long-term reliability are critical.
Current achievements and market impact
Today Northern Waves operates as a commercial supplier of high-performance microwave hardware, specialising in monolithic additively manufactured RF components. The company serves institutional and commercial customers across Europe, North America and Asia, with a portfolio including waveguide components, horn antennas, antenna arrays and integrated RF subsystems.
Beyond direct sales, Northern Waves is involved in European collaborative projects addressing future satellite communications, including 5G and 6G non-terrestrial networks.
Looking ahead
Building on the foundation established through the ESA BIC, Northern Waves is entering a new phase focused on scaling the industrial production of additively manufactured RF hardware. Future plans include deeper engagement with ESA programmes, continued collaboration with European industry and research partners, and the development of fully integrated RF subsystems enabled through additive manufacturing. Northern Waves is also preparing its first hardware deployments in space, with components expected to fly on satellite missions starting in 2027.
Through these developments, Northern Waves aims to contribute to Europe’s technological leadership in advanced manufacturing and satellite communications while continuing to translate ESA-supported innovation into sustainable commercial growth.
ESA as a catalyst for commercialisation
Northern Waves’ journey illustrates how ESA BIC support can act as a catalyst for transforming advanced research into commercially viable space technologies. Through a combination of funding, expertise, credibility, and ecosystem access, ESA enabled the company to reduce risk, accelerate development, and reach the market faster.
For Northern Waves, ESA was not only an early supporter, but a strategic partner in building a company capable of competing globally while remaining firmly rooted in the European space ecosystem.
“ESA BIC Sweden provided the credibility and ecosystem access that allowed Northern Waves to transition from research to commercial deployment of our technology,” states Dr. José Rico Fernández, CEO & Founder, Northern Waves.
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.
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