The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Letter of Intent with Geosat, setting the stage for a new chapter in Europe’s space commercialisation landscape. Through ESA’s Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC), the collaboration seeks to give start-ups, scale-ups, and entrepreneurs a stronger foothold in the fast-evolving geospatial arena. By opening the door to cutting-edge satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence, ESA and Geosat aim to equip emerging innovators with the tools they need to drive economic progress while delivering meaningful benefits to society.
The collaboration between ESA and Geosat is set to bring advanced Earth observation capabilities directly into the support ecosystem for EPIC beneficiaries. As part of this effort, entrepreneurs will be able to draw on the company’s satellite data to experiment with, refine, and strengthen their applications and services. They will also receive technical guidance and mentorship, helping start-ups turn geospatial intelligence into practical, innovative solutions. Beyond this hands-on support, ESA and Geosat will work together on outreach and networking initiatives designed to open up new market opportunities and underline the broader societal value of Earth observation technologies.
Expanding availability of high-quality geospatial data
“Joining forces with Geosat underscores EPIC’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in the global space economy,” said Cornelis Eldering, Head of the Entrepreneurship & Business Incubation Office at ESA. “By combining ESA’s entrepreneurial community with Geosat’s cutting-edge data services, we will help a new generation of companies unlock the power of Earth Observation to address global challenges, from climate resilience to food security.”.
Through this collaboration, Geosat will contribute to ESA’s ambition to make space technologies accessible to businesses beyond the traditional space sector, fostering innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
By opening up its constellation of EO satellites to early-stage ventures, Geosat demonstrates its commitment to supporting a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs who are working to build a greener and more prosperous future.
“Partnering with ESA is a natural extension of Geosat’s mission to democratize access to high-quality geospatial data,” said Francisco Vilhena da Cunha, CEO of Geosat. “Together, we will empower European innovators to transform data into meaningful impact and accelerate the growth of applications that improve life on Earth.”
Crops monitored from space. (Image courtesy: Geosat)