ESA BIC Andalusia, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) only business incubator in the region, is launching its incubation programme with its first six start-ups. Following the completion of the selection process and the signing of contracts, the selected companies are now embarking on the programme, gaining access to a specialised support ecosystem that combines direct funding, technical and business mentoring, and the international reach offered by the ESA BIC network.
The programme, managed by CATEC and supported by the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), the Regional Government of Andalusia and Seville City Council, offers a comprehensive package of resources over an incubation period of between 12 and 24 months, designed to accelerate the growth of innovative start-ups with links to the space sector.
This initiative forms part of the AEE’s strategy to build a competitive national space entrepreneurship ecosystem connected to Europe, aligned with ESA and European Union programmes, and supported by the ACCESS programme (ScaleUp and BASS).
In this context, Spain now has more than 130 start-ups linked to the ESA BIC network and a growing presence in European space commercialisation initiatives.
The six companies starting the incubation programme
The first call for applications for ESA BIC Andalusia has brought together a diverse and highly qualified group of business initiatives from the Andalusian space sector. Four of them are in the upstream segment—technologies aimed at the space sector itself—and two in the downstream segment—terrestrial applications derived from the use of space data and infrastructure:
Hisperion (upstream): A Seville-based start-up specialising in space mission simulation software. Its main product, Orbita, enables the intuitive simulation and visualisation of complex space missions with high-fidelity orbital and attitude physics, facilitating the design, validation and training of space systems.
OLMA Space (upstream): A Basque company set to begin operations in Andalusia, specialising in advanced coatings and manufacturing for the space sector. Its solutions, certified to the ECSS standard, offer superior performance to conventional space technologies, helping to improve the reliability and durability of flight components and structures.
OBA – Orbital Boost Aerospace (upstream): A Malaga-based start-up specialising in orbital logistics, access to high orbits and de-orbiting services. It develops electric orbital launchers and reusable re-entry capsules designed for space debris removal and flexible in-orbit cargo transport, with a vision committed to the sustainability of space.
Albor Space (upstream): A deep-tech spin-off founded at the University of Málaga (UMA), which develops space communications solution based on Software-Defined Radio (SDR): satellite channel emulators, 5G/6G payloads for satellites and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for the NewSpace industry.
YNSAT (downstream): A SaaS software company based in Málaga, offering a suite of satellite remote sensing tools tailored to the mining and environmental sectors. Its products enable the monitoring of operations, waste management and ensuring regulatory compliance through the intelligent analysis of Earth observation data.
Graniot (downstream): A satellite remote sensing company offering space intelligence services for agriculture, vegetation management and road infrastructure monitoring. Based in Granada, its platform transforms satellite data into actionable insights for businesses and institutions, with solutions designed to comply with EUDR regulations.
A comprehensive programme to boost space entrepreneurship
During the incubation period, the start-ups will have access to €60,000 in direct, non-repayable funding, contributed in equal parts by the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), under the ESA BIC programme, and by the Regional Government of Andalusia, earmarked for the development of technologies and products or the protection of intellectual property. In addition, the programme includes 80 hours of specialist advice in the areas of business coaching, legal consultancy and technical support, as well as free access to the facilities of ESA BIC Andalusia in the historic Renfe warehouses in the San Jerónimo district of Seville, made available by Seville City Council.
Incubated companies will also be able to benefit from support in securing additional funding, with access to investors and public funds, as well as active participation in networking and visibility activities within the European network of ESA BICs, comprising more than thirty centres across the continent. This network is one of the main European instruments for supporting space entrepreneurship, facilitating access to markets, investment and international collaboration.
CATEC, the programme’s technological driving force
The operational management of ESA BIC Andalusia is handled by CATEC, a leading technology centre with over 15 years’ experience in R&D for the aeronautical and space sectors. With a highly qualified workforce and a strong focus on technology transfer, our centre brings to the programme its expertise in automation, robotics, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, as well as solid experience in embedded technologies, flight structures, antennas and downstream applications based on satellite data.
Next call for applications: deadline 30 October 2026
The programme continues to establish itself as a gateway to the European New Space ecosystem for startups based in Andalusia.
ESA BIC Andalusia is already working on its second call for space startups. The deadline for submitting applications is 30 October 2026. The programme is aimed at both entrepreneurs in the process of setting up a start-up and established companies less than five years old, provided their projects demonstrate a clear connection to the space sector, whether upstream or downstream, and have the potential to scale up.
Full details on requirements, selection criteria and the selection process are available at esabic-andalusia.com.
