The Prix Bulles Cardin, an annual celebration of innovation in space and ocean exploration, has once again highlighted the transformative potential of technology in building a sustainable future. At the heart of this year’s awards gala, held on 20 June, 2025, was the recognition of Inverto Earth, a Swiss company, as the winner of the Oceans&Space 4 Our Planet Award.

A partnership between ESA and Pierre Cardin

The Prix Bulles Cardin is more than an award—it embodies a commitment to sustainability and the belief that innovation in space and nautical technologies can actively protect and enhance Earth’s ecosystems. Led by Rodrigo Cardin, the award aligns with Pierre Cardin’s legacy of avant-garde thinking, focusing on the intersection of fashion, technology, and ecological innovation.

ESA’s broader commitment to sustainability, highlighted namely in its Earth Observation Science Strategy 2040 and its Zero Debris approach, reflects its dedication to transforming space innovation into actionable solutions for challenges of our planet and beyond.

Initiatives like the Prix Bulles Cardin align seamlessly with ESA’s goals to protect the planet and climate through cutting-edge technology and collaboration.

“The Prix Bulles Cardin is a beacon of what can be achieved when vision, creativity, and science converge. This year’s recognition of Inverto Earth underscores how space technologies are no longer confined to orbit—they are catalysts for real change here on Earth. ESA is proud to support start-ups that transform satellite innovation into tangible solutions for our oceans and climate. Collaborations like this one with the Pierre Cardin legacy remind us that bold ideas—whether born in space or on the sea—can drive the ecological resilience our planet so urgently needs,” says Luca del Monte, Head of Commercialisation Department at ESA.

Supporting groundbreaking start-ups

The European Space Agency (ESA) played a crucial role in highlighting Inverto Earth (Switzerland), SensFish and Planetixx (United Kingdom), AlongRoute (Greece) and Astradyne (Italy), the 5 finalists proposed by ESA. Among more than 20 proponents, the finalists were selected for their groundbreaking projects. The evaluation criteria were stringent, considering contributions to Earth’s ecosystems (including orbital sustainability), ecological economic potential, and actionable plans for utilising the €25,000 prize.

All the finalists are affiliated with the ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) network.

This network spans 22 countries and has supported approximately 1,800 companies over the past two decades. Around 60% of these start-ups focus on space downstream applications, addressing pressing issues related to Earth’s ecosystems, including ocean sustainability.

Inverto Earth: Restoring coastal carbon sinks

Inverto Earth’s groundbreaking application of satellite data to restore coastal and land-based carbon sinks captured the jury’s attention. As the planet grapples with accelerating climate change, solutions like Inverto Earth’s offer a tangible path toward reversing environmental degradation. Using the precision and breadth of satellite technology, the company exemplifies an innovative approach to addressing one of the most critical challenges of our time: restoring carbon sinks that act as vital buffers against greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Prix Bulles Pierre Cardin Space and Oceans 2025 will unlock the next phase of development for our custom space-based solutions for coastal restoration. It will support our work in building better models for large-scale, low-cost restoration efforts, with a specific emphasis on enhancing coastal biodiversity. Beyond the technical advances, the Prize will connect us to a forward-thinking network, helping us grow strategically and amplify our impact where space innovation meets ocean resilience,” says Dr. Jürg Germann, CEO and Co-Founder Inverto Earth.

Inverto Earth is a company supported by the ESA BIC switzerland programme. Since its foundation in 2017, ESA BIC Switzerland has become a flagship incubator within the ESA BIC network, known for its pioneering approach and strong mentorship role. With a unique partially virtual model, it supports a portfolio comprising 65 alumni and 22 active incubatees, spanning a diverse range of technologies and backgrounds which have generated over 1,500 high-tech jobs and €750 million in funding.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Inverto Earth team during the ESA BIC Switzerland programme. Combining cutting edge technology with a strong purpose, the team has made significant progress, and it is great to see that the company is already serving clients and restoring the most fragile ecosystems around the globe! Congratulations on winning the Prix Bulles 2025!” reports Thomas Ackermann, Programme Manager, ESA BIC Switzerland.