Startups in Finland’s space sector are growing — and thriving
Since its launch in 2017, ESA BIC Finland—ESA’s business incubator in Finland—has selected 44 startups. Our latest annual report (spring 2026) shows these companies have raised more than €230 million in funding and created over 250 jobs. The portfolio has a 93% survival rate, indicating strong selection of viable startups.
In total, the companies have generated more than €70 million in revenue, much of it beyond the space sector. For example, Solar Foods (accepted into the program in 2018) has already been listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The company continues developing space applications with OHB SE in an ESA project that aims to test protein production on the International Space Station (ISS).
The latest graduate from our incubator, Aavuus, raised an initial funding round during the programme. At the beginning of the summer, five new companies joined us, reflecting the industry’s diversity with solutions for transport, education, energy trading, and space telescopes, among others. We also launched our first pre-incubation training in August, with 11 teams developing their ideas.
Our series of five webinars, led by experts from Aalto University and the University of Vaasa, helps teams meet ESA BIC application criteria and practice pitching. You can apply for pre-training even if your company has not yet been established; the next cohort will run in autumn 2027.
ESA BIC Finland also supports companies by actively networking in Finland and across ESA communities. This year, we participated in the Nordic–Baltic ESA BIC event in Stockholm, the ESA Scaleup event in Seville, and the ESA Industry Space Days conference at ESA’s Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
Companies in our programme have also been able to attend ESA events. In Finland, our own events have expanded to Vaasa, Turku, and Tampere in cooperation with local partners. The Space Day at SuomiAreena in Pori was the highlight of the summer!
Looking ahead, we will host multiple in-house and partner events for prospective, current, and alumni companies, and we invite everyone interested in the space sector to join. The best way to get information about our events is to follow our LinkedIn page.
ESA BIC Finland holds two application rounds in Finland each year for startups to apply. Eligibility: a space-related business, less than five years old, and located in Finland.
Selected companies receive €90,000 in funding plus support for business, technology, and network development. The autumn application period ends on 27 September 2026. For details, see “Apply now – ESA BIC Finland".
