Latvia has become one of the most generous European countries in supporting space startup incubation, allocating €1.2 million in grant funding to foster business development. On June 20, 2025, the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre in Latvia (ESA BIC Latvia) signed an agreement with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency of Latvia (CFLA) to implement the project “Support for the Development of New Technologies by the ESA Business Incubation Centre in Latvia.” The total project value is €964,404, including €819,743 received from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and €144,660 as co-financing from the state budget.
Until now, the incubator operated with funding provided by the European Space Agency (ESA), supporting 12 Latvian space startups. Following the new agreement between CFLA and ESA BIC Latvia, both the number of supported companies (now 15) and the grant amount available to each startup have increased. Each selected startup can now receive up to €80,000 in funding – the highest amount offered among ESA BIC incubators in Europe, compared to an average of €50,000 in other member states. Under the new financing model, half of the €80,000 comes from ERDF and the other half from ESA.
Latvia’s participation in the ESA BIC network is a great example of ministerial cooperation, with the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Education and Science jointly promoting innovation and its internationalization. The incubator operates through the combined support of both ministries and ESA’s initiative to include Latvia to its incubator network. The ESA BIC network now consists of 32 incubators and is the second largest business incubation network globally. The network has contributed to numerous success stories in the space sector.
Continuing the development of Latvia’s space industry it is strategically important to ensure the country’s effective access to the rapidly growing space economy, which is projected to reach globally a value of $1 trillion by 2030.
Applications for incubation are open yearlong via the application form available at www.esabic.lv. Startups can apply and receive consultations at any time, though intake into the incubator takes place twice a year. If demand is high, additional selection rounds may be organized. Applications are evaluated by experts from Latvia and ESA. Participation in the incubator provides startups with access to the extensive ESA BIC network across Europe and the opportunity to take part in ESA procurement processes. Moreover, the ESA BIC brand serves as a quality seal, helping startups enter international space missions as well.
ESA BIC Latvia invites startups developing innovative products using satellite data, navigation systems, telecommunications, or other space technologies with real-life applications in the economy to apply. The incubator offers up to two years of support for each selected startup, including not only funding but also free legal and business consultations, mentorship, access to expert guidance, specific satellite data and IT systems, and a broad network of contacts. Free consultations are available before the application deadlines, so startups are encouraged to reach out to the incubator early to prepare high-quality applications.
Currently, ESA BIC Latvia supports already one startup – NRG Solutions – which uses Earth observation data and geospatial technologies to modernize property evaluation and assessment. In the first call for space startups, 7 promising applications were received; in the most recent call this June, 9 applications were submitted. The incubator aims to support 15 promising startups by 2030. After this cycle, a new program phase will begin. The total amount of support for startups through the incubator will reach €1.2 million, of which €600,000 are provided by ESA and the remaining amount is co-financed by ERDF.
ESA BIC Latvia is operated by Commercialization Reactor, Latvia’s leading platform for deep tech startup development. Since 2009, Commercialization Reactor has been building and scaling science-based technology startups with global potential, merging scientific innovation with entrepreneurship by providing team-building, commercialization training, investment, and international acceleration.
ESA BIC Latvia collaborates with 25 partner organizations in Latvia, including Riga Technical University, the Institute of Solid State Physics, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, the Institute for Environmental Solutions, the Latvian Space Industry Association, law firms Cobalt and Sorainen, and many others. ESA BIC Latvia officially launched operations on November 13, 2024.
More information about the incubation program, its terms, and the application process is available at www.esabic.lv or by email at info@esabic.lv.
