ESA BIC is Europe's largest network of technology incubators, which aim is to support and inspire entrepreneurs with early-stage space-related ventures.

Through the incubation process, these ventures become commercially viable solutions. ESA BIC provides support in the form of non-repayable funding, business space and business and technology advice in various segments of the space industry.

“ESA BIC Poland's tasks include promoting entrepreneurship, supporting cooperation between science, business and administration, activities that strengthen international cooperation. The offer of ESA BIC is aimed at start-ups, i.e. young technology companies that have been operating for less than 5 years and want to offer products, processes or services using new technologies or using existing technologies in an innovative way”, explains Cezariusz Lesisz, President of the Industrial Development Agency.

Start-up incubation in Poland is carried out in two cities - Warsaw and Rzeszów. ESA BIC’s activities in Poland are implemented and coordinated by the Industrial Development Agency JSC in cooperation with the incubation centres in Warsaw and Rzeszów. The incubation process of start-ups in Warsaw will be led by the Foundation for Technological Entrepreneurship, while Brain Embassy will provide office space for start-ups. In Rzeszów, both the incubation process and the provision of office space for start-ups will be managed by Rzeszów’s regional development agency.

"The signing of an agreement between the Industrial Development Agency and the European Space Agency will enable us to create incubators based on technological solutions from the space sector. This is an extremely important issue for us. ESA BIC is an excellent development path for start-ups. They receive a lot of support in business, financial, technological, or legal matters. It is an excellently organised ecosystem that allows not only to attract investors or business partners, but also future potential customers. On the Polish side, several dozen institutions are involved, and I thank them very much. These are institutions from the world of science, business, local authorities, and other institutions that wanted to cooperate. I would also like to highlight our partners - the Regional Development Agency in Rzeszów, the Foundation for Technological Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Development and Technology, but most of all the European Space Agency" - said Sebastian Dąbski, Vice President of ARP S.A..

ESA BIC Poland is a regional activity located in two regions of Poland: Mazovia and Subcarpathia. However, the ecosystem created is much broader. Through the active cooperation of the entire network of ESA BIC incubators, ESA Technology Brokers, or new ESA initiatives (ESA phi-lab), it expands to all ESA member countries. Thanks to the creation of ESA BIC Poland, our country takes an active part in ESA BIC’S activities.

"Since 2003, when the first ESA BIC centre was established, 864 start-ups have completed the incubation phase and 316 are currently active. ESA BIC Poland will be the 26th ESA BIC centre. As you can see, we have such centres in many countries and we look forward to building your businesses and developing your ideas in Poland. There will be two locations: Warsaw and Rzeszów. We will start by supporting seven start-ups per year. Our goal is to support 35 start-ups in total. So, you will have a lot to do, and we will have a lot to do together. We will develop new opportunities and new projects in Poland," concluded Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency.