Designed as six-month feasibility studies, ESA Kick-starts help organisations assess whether a proposed service is both technically achievable and commercially viable.
Successful applicants can receive up to €75,000 in ESA funding to refine their concepts before moving towards full-scale development.
The initiative provides companies with financial support and expert guidance to validate market demand, strengthen business plans, and define the next stages of bringing new space-enabled services to market.
Turning ideas into commercial opportunities
ESA Kick-starts are intended to bridge the gap between an initial concept and a commercially viable product or service.
Each project must incorporate at least one space asset, including satellite communications, satellite Earth observation data, or satellite navigation technologies.
During the six-month programme, participating businesses are expected to develop the technical architecture of their proposed service while engaging directly with potential customers.
This process helps validate market demand, improve commercial strategies, and establish a clear roadmap for future development.
By combining technical assessment with customer feedback, the programme aims to reduce the risks associated with launching new space-based services.
Funding and application details
ESA will fund up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a maximum contribution of €75,000 per contract. The total value of an individual Kick-start project can be up to €100,000.
Applications for the ESA BASS Open Call for Proposals are accepted throughout the year. Proposals are assessed in scheduled batches, with submission deadlines set for:
- 27 February 2026
- 27 March 2026
- 29 May 2026
- 28 August 2026
- 30 October 2026
The rolling application process gives businesses multiple opportunities to secure support and transform promising concepts into commercially viable, space-enabled solutions through the ESA Kick-starts programme.