Go2Space-HUBs
Generating new sOlutions 2 and from Space through effective local start-up HUBs

Challenge

The strengthening of business culture in Europe and the development of new businesses are fundamental political objectives in Europe for the further growth of local, national and European economies. However, in the Space sector, there are some difficulties in the growth of companies and access to capital. In order to have more startups, strong local ecosystems are needed to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into businesses, through training and the acquisition of business knowledge and skills.

The Space European companies have a slower growth rate than similar enterprises in other big economies such as the USA. Furthermore, fewer European enterprises rank in the listings of the world’s largest companies.

Solution

The Go2Space project aimed to foster the creation and development of European companies with a link to the space sector, promoting innovation and the creation of value in the areas of Digitization, Defense and Security, Sustainable Development and Spacetech Excellence. Implemented from 3 hubs with extensive experience in supporting startups - Coimbra, Madrid and Tallinn - the project thus ensures privileged access to mentors, financing opportunities and technology transfer mechanisms.

Go2Space promoted the incubation and acceleration of a total of 40 entrepreneurs, startups, scale-ups and SMEs, as well as hold training events and sessions to promote the projects and B2B networking.

Objectives, Activities and Results expected / achieved

Expected Results:
Development of activities that promote the transfer of knowledge and technology to the space and non-space sectors, through space resources based on the following actions:

• Incubate twenty entrepreneurs or early stage star-ups in Coimbra and Tallinn HUBs will in total incubate 20 entrepreneurs or early stage start-ups that offer services to or from the space upstream and downstream sectors

• Facilitate the creation of nine new start-ups in the space upstream and downstream sectors or that utilize resources from the space sector to offer services or products to non-space sectors, through organization of Hackathons and through the new Go2Space-HUBs Incubation Programmes

• Acclerarate twenty established start-ups or scale-ups at Madrid HUB will in total accelerate 20 established start-ups and/or scale-ups that offer services to or from the space upstream and downstream sectors

• Facilitate the scaling-up of European Start-ups and SMEs through reducing existing barriers for growth.

• Reduce barriers to finance from private and public sources through targeted training for Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs on how to capture public and private finance

• Facilitate funding of star-ups through innovative support frames by creating new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between private or institutional investors

Results Achieved:
• Incubation of 20 entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Coimbra and Tallinn Hubs with the offer of training modules in entrepreneurship and innovation.

• Creation of 5 start-ups in space sectors or that use space sector resources to offer services or products to non-space sectors, through the new Go2Space-HUBs Incubation Programs.

• Acceleration of 20 start-ups and scale-ups in the Madrid Hub.

• Support in applications for European funding for European SMEs participating in the incubation and acceleration program.

• Support in applications for European funding for European SMEs participating in the incubation and acceleration program.

• Training for entrepreneurs, start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs on attracting European public and private funding, through funding search modules.