Role of the sponsor
The exceptional challenge will be developed and designed in close coordination with a commercial partner – the sponsor. This partner will have a crucial role in all phases of the Grand Challenge.
With the technical support of ESA space engineers, the sponsor defines a problem to be solved (a technical, scientific or societal challenge), the reward for solving it, and the rules of the contest.
The sponsor will also be part of the evaluation board that assesses the different entries and determines the winner/s.
The reward is often a large bursary, but it may also consist of credible commitments by future buyers to purchase a given quantity of a product that satisfies specified criteria in which case, the prize is used as a pre-commercial procurement tool.
How does the sponsor benefit?
ESA is looking for sponsors from space and non-space sectors.
The ESA Grand Challenge sponsorship package results in the development of a customized set of assets that have been developed to meet the needs and objectives of the sponsor’s product or service.
These assets, developed in cooperation with ESA, represent the core benefit to the sponsor.
Specific benefits to sponsors include:
- Increased outreach via marketing and promotions by association with the ESA brand, and raised general public awareness on a given brand, sector or issue.
- Acquired assets and resources comprise: intellectual property rights, contact with talented researchers and problem solvers, and exclusive procurement rights on innovative technologies.