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FINANCE Space

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'Finance Innovation Network Addressing New Commercial Enterprise using Space'

The strategic objective of the FINANCE Space project is to encourage and facilitate linkages between European Space Sector funding sources and innovative enterprises through an extensive research, data collection and dissemination project. Although space systems are routinely used for telecommunications, broadcasting, weather forecasting, location and imagery, the newer space technology-based services are being slow to take-off. The slow privatization process of already existing space systems-based services is one reason. While some space applications are currently part of commercial businesses (e.g. telecommunications, broadcasting), others are a part of the public services (weather and environmental or security-oriented surveillance systems). New space technologies are offering the potential for new business services. Whereas markets for these new space technology-based services exist, finance is an obstacle. In addition, alongside the need for privatization of these services there is a lack of awareness among financers about space-related innovations.

To set the stage for business success in the potentially huge space market will require forward-looking policies and investments that go beyond short-term commercial concerns. The FINANCE Space project aims to explore as many options as possible and to strive to make Europe a breeding ground for future technologies, products and services.

The overarching goal of the FINANCE Space project is to:
Increase investment activity in innovative space companies and projects across Europe aiming to commercialize Space Technology to non-space applications & services across Europe, such that more space innovations will receive funding through an increasing number of active and potential investments in the space sector.

FINANCE Space has 6 main objectives:
  • Research and identification of key sources and actors with an interest in European Space Sector innovation financing.
  • Mobilisation of the extensive network of existing Space Sector actors and key stakeholders as well as the creation of a Space sector typology.
  • Research and analyses of existing studies and of academic research on Space Sector innovation financing, as well as compilation of a list of the funding organisations in Europe likely to be interested in Space Sector innovative investments.
  • Identification and analysis of the specific problems related to innovation financing, ranging from the drafting of business plans and the preparation of appropriate IP strategies to the identification of optimal sources for funding investments.
  • Highlighting existing synergies between different market players and identifying barriers to co-operation as well as the generation and validation of tools and guidance materials.
  • Drawing up of recommendations to assist policy makers at both national and European level with the aim of bridging the legitimate interests of Space Sector innovative enterprises and financial investors.

For more information about our activities visit http://www.financespace-innova.com/ or contact us by email for any questions (Gabrio.Boerci@esa.int or JCdeTauzia@AssystemUK.com).