Do business with ESA
ESA invites space and non-space-based companies, from start-ups to large system integrators, to register with ESA and get involved in its space programmes.
ESA’s Industry portal is an important resource to guide you through this process. Take a look at the three main sections of the Business with ESA pages:
- How to do
Go to the ‘How to do’ section to learn how to first register with ESA and what processes to follow. Follow the steps to register online through esa-star, and learn about ESA’s procurement process, the financial system called esa-p, and ESA's free browser-based costing software called ECOS.
Pick up tips and tricks on how to write a good proposal to ESA and deal with the financial side of things. Learn what dealing with an intergovernmental customer such as ESA involves. Follow links to training via ESA's Learning hub.
ESA’s dedicated Industrial Ombuds act as an independent interface either between ESA and industry or between industrial partners, prime and sub-contractors to ensure that all parties conform to the procurement rules and regulations as laid out in the Code of Best Practices.
- Business opportunities with ESA
About 85% of ESA's budget is spent on contracts with industry.
The ‘Business Opportunities’ section leads you to links to ESA activities and programmes. Most business opportunities with ESA are published through esa-star in esa-star Publication which is part of a suite of tools created to make it easier to do business with ESA.
- Support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) are flexible and innovative and have much to offer Europe’s space industry. In the period 2019–2023, an average 30% of the industry of ESA Member States, Associated States and Cooperating States which were involved in ESA activities and received commitments, were SMEs. ESA therefore actively supports such companies via training and technical assistance, and access to ESA facilities. Some opportunities, known as ‘Invitations To Tender’, are reserved for SMEs only.
ESA’s SME Office promotes the capabilities of its 2800 registered SMEs* and organises networking opportunities such as the Industry Space Days and other related events.
* September 2024 figure
