Deadline: 29 August 2025
Applications are now open for the Kick-Starts Activity to determine whether a service is technically feasible, commercially viable and wanted by users.
A Kick-Start is a feasibility study lasting six months. During a Kick-Start, teams will design the technical service architecture, engage with potential customers, improve the business plan, and establish next steps in developing the service. Kick-Starts must involve the use of at least one space asset, such as satellite communications, satellite Earth observation, and satellite navigation.
Tasks
- A Kick-Start consists of three tasks:
- WP1000: Customer/User Engagement – The team running a Kick-Start will connect with users and potential customers to understand what they need from the service, to collect requirements, and to receive feedback about the proposed service. Teams should try to strengthen relationships with clients and establish a customer pipeline. Service requirements are the output of WP1000.
- WP2000: Technical Feasibility – The Kick-Start team will use the user requirements to design the technical service architecture. This should include all system components, interfaces, processes, inputs, outputs, and data involved in the service. Teams can develop a mock-up, prototype, or proof of concept, but this is not compulsory. The service and system architecture definition are the output of WP2000.
- WP3000: Economic Viability – The Kick-Start team will do a market analysis, competitive analysis, risk analysis, and financial analysis in order to establish the economic viability of the service. Teams should develop and build upon their business plans while carrying out user engagement and technical feasibility activities. The output of WP3000 is a comprehensive business plan.
Funding Information
- Kick-Start activities will be funded at 75% (not more or less), with ESA providing up to 75,000 euros per contract.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding for Kick-Starts can be provided to teams based in the following participating Member States:
- Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Please note that Canada, Greece, Latvia, Slovakia, and Spain are not supporting any Kick-Start activities at present.
For more information, visit ESA.
