Drone on tracks of a train. ESA BIC Sigmarail drone

Fostering space innovation

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid

Supporting technology-oriented entrepreneurs through the ESA BIC business incubator centre

The Community of Madrid and the European Space Agency (ESA) support technologically-based entrepreneurs in the region through its business incubation center (ESA BIC).

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid helps start-ups create cutting-edge products and services that use technologies or space data or that develop solutions for the space sector.

This initiative will support in 5 years to 40 technology-based companies with great potential.

Why is it excellent?

The Region of Madrid accounts for 92% of the Spanish space sector, which is highly innovative, productive and export-oriented. ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid allows supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem arising around this industry.

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid works together with universities and technology institutions in the region as proof of its operational excellence, enabling entrepreneurs to network with their own environment.

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid uses the procedures and knowledge acquired by ESA for more than a decade in its network of incubation centers in Europe, concretely and effectively supporting companies in their day-to-day activities to overcome the challenges they face. those who face.

Companies start their business after a thorough selection process that guarantees the quality of the projects and the teams’ commitment. This programme has already supported more than 500 companies in Europe with very high survival rates of nearly 87%.

Supporting excellent companies

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid supports 15 companies by providing them with technical assistance and mentors’ advice. They also participate in investment fora and in national and international competitive projects. One of these companies has been able to obtain private funding of over one million euros.

Companies

AIRELECTRONICS: Development of autopilots for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including on-board image processing systems. http://www.airelectronics.es/
AUTOMATED DEVICES: Development of a sensor system for the control of environmental pollution and artificial or highly polluted atmospheres. http://www.attdevices.com/en/home
AXTER AEROSPACE: R&D of electric and hybrid solutions, including energy storage systems for aeronautics, aviation and the electric car. http://axteraerospace.com/
BD4BS: Analysis platform that facilitates artificial intelligence to large photovoltaic production centers to optimize their operation and maintenance work. http://www.bd4bs.com/
CANARD DRONES: Use of ultra-fast and autonomous drones instead of manned airplanes to calibrate air navigation assistance systems in airports. http://canarddrones.com/
DRONE HOPPER: Design and manufacture of high load capacity drones for fire fighting and precision agriculture. https://www.drone-hopper.com/
DRONE SATELLITAL COMMUNICATIONS: Development of drone-based mapping systems to provide accurate position data for your out-of-sight operation. http://www.albaero.com/index.html
GEKO NAVSAT: Innovation based on European Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) technologies to improve safety and efficiency in activities carried out in open environments. http://gekonavsat.com/
NF ADVANCED ENGINEERING: Design of UAVs for civil use of more than 150 kg. including the Nitrofirex system (night fire extinguishing) and development of fixed wing UAVs. https://www.nf-ae.com/
OBUU: Company born in the aerospace sector with the objective of reducing direct investment in the stock associated with maintenance work, improving the operational availability of the fleets. http://www.obuu.es/
SAIENS: Development of solar simulators with LEDs that reproduce solar radiation to study the behavior of solar technology with precision, reducing cost and consumption. https://saiensenergycom.wordpress.com/
SIGMARAIL: Innovative solutions for the railway industry through the use of UAVs, optimizing traditional tasks, improving efficiency and safety. http://www.sigma-rail.com/es/inicio/
SkanSense: Automated analysis of satellite images for the location of objectives, using an own algorithm and Machine Learning. http://www.skansense.com
UTEK: Development of unmanned naval vehicles (USV), with typical lengths between 5 and 10 meters. http://utek.es/es/
WIRELESS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY: Development of platforms applied to the Internet of Things (IoT), such as platforms for monitoring workers in dangerous work environments and services for optimised grazing using satellite images. http://sensowave.es/es/

Who is involved in the initiative?

ESA BIC Comunidad de Madrid is an initiative driven by three departments of the Regional Government (the Department of Education, Youth and Sports; the Department of Economy, Finance and Employment; the Department for the Presidency, Justice and Spokesperson’s Office) led and managed by Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d (Knowledge Foundation). ESA’s economic contribution has been secured through its Spanish delegation formed by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through the State Secretariat of Research, Development and Innovation, and the Centre for Industrial and Technological Development (CDTI).

The strategic partners include public and private institutions such as the Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación (COIT – Official Association of Telecommunications Engineers), the Cluster Aeroespacial de la Comunidad de Madrid (Aerospace Cluster of the Region of Madrid), the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA – National Institute of Aerospace Technique), the Empresa Nacional de Innovación (ENISA – National Innovation Company), and the ESA’s European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) located in Villafranca del Castillo.

Technical support to the companies is guaranteed thanks to the participation of the public universities network of the Region of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos) and the Parque Científico de Madrid (Madrid’s Scientific Park).

The head office of this project is situated in the Centro de Emprendedores (Entrepreneurs’ Centre) of the Region of Madrid in Getafe.