Call for applications to join the NewSpace Catalonia Accelerator programme is now open

The Government of Catalonia and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC – Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) announce the NewSpace Catalonia Accelerator programme. The initiative, promoted within the framework of the NewSpace Strategy of Catalonia and in collaboration with Starburst, aims to facilitate that 4 emerging companies of the Catalan NewSpace ecosystem, with a minimum viable product ready to be accelerated, can be part of a flagship programme specialised in the space sector to increase their competitiveness.

Acceleration programmes for emerging companies and startups help them grow and scale faster, providing a combination of financial support, mentoring, business training and access to networks of professional contacts.

Among others, the NewSpace Catalonia Accelerator programme will include individualised mentoring for each company with specialised experts who will provide strategic support, market analysis, company positioning and business model; business development support (identification of suitable companies and users and introductions to them), and personalised support in the identification of relevant investors and introductions to them, among others.

In order to participate in the selection process, emerging companies or startups must meet the following requirements:

• Startups must demonstrate their primary activity in the NewSpace industry*.
• At the time of their application for inclusion in the acceleration programme, they must demonstrate an activity that is related to the space ecosystem in Catalonia.
• Startups must be able to demonstrate a technological maturity equal to or higher than  TRL4 and be able to start the development of a minimum viable product during the course of the programme.
• Applicant startups must authorise the IEEC and the Government of Catalonia to publicise their participation in the programme and its relevant results.
• Applicant startups must prove that they are not currently starting in a local incubation or acceleration programme at the closing date for applications.

*Area within the space sector oriented to commercial solutions linked with applications, space data and/or small satellites operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Emerging companies or startups that wish to participate in the programme can submit their application until 1 April 2024. In total, four companies will be selected to be part of the programme.

Consult all the details of the call here: