CASSINI Challenges competition is back
The CASSINI Challenges return this year, bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever!
The annual competition aims to promote the use of space technologies to address pressing commercial, social, and environmental challenges.
“By pairing creators with space technologies, we aim to inspire innovation, cultivate ideas and deliver solutions that will ultimately benefit citizens and businesses alike,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.
With the goal of inspiring and recognising the innovative use and successful commercialisation of space technology, this year’s edition will place greater emphasis on impact and excellence among applicants.
So unlike in past years, this year’s contest features just one track.
It also means a larger prize purse for our winners, although fewer prizes will be awarded. Each of the 12 winners will take home a EUR 100,000 prize.
“By awarding more money to fewer solutions, we aim to ensure that every one of our winners becomes a commercial success story,” comments Fiammetta Diani, EUSPA Head of the Market Downstream and Innovation department.
The details
All applicants must identify a pressing commercial, social or environmental challenge and then submit an innovative, space-based solution that can help solve said challenge. Solutions must make use of the EU Space Programme, including satellite navigation (EGNOS, Galileo), Earth Observation (Copernicus), secure satellite communication (GOVSATCOM), space surveillance and tracking or any combination thereof.
Proposals should be able to demonstrate how they will help advance the EU Space industry, enhance its competitiveness and showcase the vast potential for using space technology across various industries.
Solutions should be a minimum viable product (MVP), with demonstrable market potential and a clear path to commercialization.
Submissions will be evaluated on their technology excellence, level of innovation, and commercial potential, amongst other criteria.
“The true potential of EU Space lies ahead of us, and it is always exciting to see the ideas that will push boundaries and shape the next chapter of innovation.” concludes EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.
Want to learn more?
Then be sure to join us on 29 January for the first CASSINI Challenges webinar. This is your chance to get insider tips on submitting a winning proposal, learn all the details on the application process, and hear best practices from previous CASSINI winners. There will also be ample time for questions and answers.
For those ready to accept the challenge, you can find all the information you need – including contest timeline, deadlines, criteria, rules and application process – in the CASSINI Challenges page.
The CASSINI Challenges are part of CASSINI, the European Commission’s initiative geared to supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs developing innovative applications and services that leverage the EU Space Programme.
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