CASSINI Challenges

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.

THE CHALLENGE

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.), Blockchain, Metaverse and Extended Reality (Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed Reality (MR) / Virtual Reality (VR).

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Please make sure you read the Terms of Reference, the Corrigendum no.1 and Corrigendum no.2 for requirements specifications and please complete all the forms before submitting your application.

Clarification Note 1

Clarification Note 2

Clarification Note 3

THE COMPETITION

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.

PRIZES

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.

AWARD CRITERIA

The following criteria will be considered for the evaluation of the solutions along the all tracks of the contest. Further they shall be applicable to both tracks:

Innovation (0-5): How innovative and novel the approach is compared to existing technical solutions and commercial services? Is this kind of solution not yet available on the market or addressing a new application area? Is the application technologically advanced (e.g. using multi-frequency, innovative algorithms)?
Market potential (0-5): Is there a potential market demand/customer base for this solution? What is the revenue potential? What is the market (entry) plan?
Feasibility (0-5): How feasible the solution is within the limits of current technology? What is the development plan of the solution?
EU Space-relevance (0-5): Is the application making use of Galileo and/or Copernicus? Are Galileo and/or Copernicus differentiators relevant for the application? Are synergies between Galileo-Copernicus data explored?
Operational capacity (0-5): What are the operational resources (human, technical and other) that will be invested in the solution development?

These criteria will be assessed confidentially and on a discretionary basis by the EUSPA evaluation board. The applicants irrevocably acknowledge that:

Evaluation board deliberations are confidential and will not be disclosed to applicants.

Got questions? Applicants may send their questions via email to prizes@euspa.europa.eu. The answers and clarifications will be published on a weekly basis on the competition website.