Spascat Technologies: Mapping Coasts and Crops from Space
Coastal erosion and unsustainable farming are pressing issues for Europe’s regions and economies, demanding smarter solutions. Satellite data offers powerful insights but often remains too complex for practical use. Spascat Technologies, a Barcelona-based NewSpace startup, is changing that. With support from EUSPA’s CASSINI programme, the company is turning Copernicus data into user-friendly tools that help municipalities protect shorelines and farmers boost efficiency.
Solving Real-World Problems
Spascat Technologies, founded in 2023 by Roger Huerta and Bernat Gené, is making Earth Observation (EO) data practical for addressing pressing challenges like coastal erosion and inefficient farming. Their flagship products—Sorraline for shoreline monitoring and MOT for precision viticulture—leverage Copernicus Sentinel data and AI to deliver actionable insights. “EUSPA’s CASSINI programme turned our ideas into reality,” says Huerta.
Erosion threatens coastlines, and farming demands smarter, more sustainable tools. Spascat’s solutions, born from their 2023 CASSINI Challenge win for the GAROTES bathymetry concept, provide automated, user-friendly monitoring. Their participation in a CASSINI coastal monitoring demonstrator, in collaboration with Catalonia’s ICGC, validated Sorraline’s ability to track shoreline changes with precision.
Measurable Wins and Lasting Impact
Spascat’s achievements are significant. Quantitatively, they secured €0.5 million—€0.4 million from EUSPA (via CASSINI) and ESA (via PhiLab Spain and BIC Barcelona), plus €0.1 million from ACCIÓ and partnerships. Sorraline monitors 200 km of coastline across 12 municipalities with 90% accuracy. MOT, tested at Raimat’s vineyard, cut inspection times by 30%. Annual revenue reached six figures, with triple-digit growth since 2023.
Qualitatively, Spascat has built trust through partnerships with Coste360 in Italy for beach management and Codorniu for viticulture. Their 2023 SmartCatalonia Challenge win and El Masnou Entrepreneurship Award boosted their reputation. Presenting MOT at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress elevated their global profile.
EUSPA’s CASSINI programme was crucial. The 2023 Challenge win for GAROTES brought €10,000 and market validation, connecting Spascat with partners like GPA Seabots and CTTC for bathymetry. ESA BIC provided €50,000, mentorship, and ESA/ESTEC expertise, refining Sorraline and MOT. The coastal demonstrator ensured Sorraline met municipal needs, driving adoption. CASSINI matchmaking events sparked collaborations, including a joint venture for GAROTES.
Why It Matters and What’s Next
Spascat’s tools tackle urgent issues: coastal degradation and inefficient agriculture threaten ecosystems and economies. By simplifying EO data, they empower municipalities and farmers, aligning with EU sustainability goals. This success has fueled growth, with six new hires and plans to enter French and Greek markets.
Next, Spascat aims to commercialize GAROTES by 2026 and scale MOT for broader agricultural use. Their vision is a world where satellite data is a commodity. “We’re connecting space to Earth’s needs,” Gené says. Learn more at Spascat Technologies or EUSPA.
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