Open Call for Kick-starts
Open Call for Kick-starts supports businesses with feasibility studies of space-enabled services, testing technical feasibility, commercial viability and customer demand to guide further development.
Funder: European Space Agency
Due Dates: February 26, 2027 (Evaluation batch) | April 30, 2027 (Evaluation batch) | June 11, 2027 (Evaluation batch) | September 3, 2027 (Evaluation batch) | November 5, 2027 (Evaluation batch)
Funding Amounts: Up to €75,000 per six-month contract, covering 75% of activity costs; maximum total cost €100,000
Summary: Supports businesses in testing the technical feasibility, commercial viability and customer demand for space-enabled services.
Key Information: Applicants must obtain Written Authorisation of ESA Funding from their National Delegation(s).
Description
The European Space Agency’s Open Call for Kick-starts supports six-month feasibility studies exploring new service and application concepts that use space capabilities. Studies assess whether a proposed service is technically feasible, commercially viable and supported by customer demand. Each must use at least one space asset, such as satellite communications, satellite Earth observation data or satellite navigation.
During a Kick-start, businesses design the technical service architecture, engage with potential customers, improve their business plan and establish the next steps in developing the service. The work brings technical and business assessment together to determine whether a concept has commercial potential. Successful Kick-start activities may be developed further with IAP support through a Demonstration Project.
