Cassini Challenges to support the Development of Innovative Commercial Solutions

The objective of the competition is to support the development of innovative commercial solutions – such as mobile apps or hardware-based solutions – that are leveraging EU Space data from Galileo and/or Copernicus. The application process is now open for the three tracks.

Focus Areas

• Each participating team shall propose a solution targeting one of the following innovation areas:
  • Next Generation Challenge: Harness the power of EU space data from Galileo and/or Copernicus and propose innovative solutions that will address major societal challenges in focus areas such as health and well-being, citizens’ safety, security and connectivity.
  • Sustainable Future Challenge: Innovative solutions that will address areas such as conservation of ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and management of energy and resources.
  • Emerging Technologies Challenge: Innovative solutions combining EU space data with deep technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum technologies (quantum computing, sensing, simulation, encryption etc.), Block chain, Metaverse and Extended Reality (Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed Reality (MR) / Virtual Reality (VR).

The Challenge Tracks

Applicants can participate in the contest with an idea, or a prototype, or a product, depending on the maturity of the solution at the time of the submission.

• Track “Submission of an Idea”
  • The application shall present a theoretical idea and the pain points that are addressed. The application shall also provide a description of the typical use case of the idea and the customer need/s that it will address. The expected TRL of applications in this track is TRL1-TRL3.
• Track “Submission of a Prototype”
  • The application shall present a prototype or beta version of a solution that has already been tested in a relevant environment. The application shall also provide a description of the typical use case of the prototype, the customer needs that it addresses and the value proposition. The expected TRL of applications in this track is TRL4-TRL7.
• Track “Submission of a Product”
  • The application shall present a product that is ready for commercialization or already in the market. The application shall also provide a description of the typical use case of the product, the customer needs that it addresses and the value proposition. The expected TRL of applications in this track is TRL8-TRL9.
• Important note: Teams with an awarded idea are eligible to apply again in the other tracks (i.e. prototype or product) within the relevant deadlines. Accordingly, the teams with an awarded prototype may apply in the product track within the relevant deadline.

Prize Information

• Track “Submission of an Idea”:
  • The first 15 ranked applicants that submitted an idea– independently of the innovation area they applied in – will receive a prize in amount of € 10,000 (ten thousand Euro) each.
• Track “Submission of a Prototype”:
  • The first 10 ranked applicants that submitted a prototype – independently of the innovation area they applied in – will receive a prize in amount of € 30,000 (thirty thousand Euro) each.
• Track “Submission of a Product”:
  • The first 5 ranked applicants that submitted a product – independently of the innovation area they applied in – will receive a prize in amount of € 100,000 (one hundred thousand Euro) each.
• The award of the Submission of a Product prizes will be announced during the awards ceremony to be organized in Prague. All awarded teams from all tracks will be invited to present their solutions to the EUSPA evaluation board and invited guests.
• Prizes shall be awarded in accordance with the principles of transparency and equal treatment and shall promote the achievement of policy objectives of the Union.
• Additionally, each member of the teams participating in the Finals will receive a certificate of reaching the final stage.

Eligibility Criteria

• The contest is open to individuals and/or teams, composed by economic operators (including legal entities and natural persons).
• Participation in this prize contest shall be open on equal terms to all economic operators (natural and legal persons) established in the territory of the Member States of the European Union and Norway.
• Participation is further open to economic operators (natural and legal persons) established in Switzerland only for what concerns solutions involving the Galileo component and to economic operators (natural and legal persons) established in Iceland only for what concerns the Copernicus component.
• Economic operators referred to above are considered established in the EU / Switzerland / Norway / Iceland when they are formed in accordance with the law of an EU Member State / Switzerland / Norway / Iceland, and have their central administration / registered office / principal place of business in an EU Member State / Switzerland / Norway / Iceland (if legal persons) or they are nationals of one of the EU Member States / Switzerland /Norway / Iceland (if natural persons). Natural person applicants must be at least of 18 years of age by the date of submission of the application.
• Each team must appoint a team coordinator to serve as the central contact point and represent the team towards EUSPA.

For more information, visit EUSPA.