Insightful discussions at the ESA BIC celebrations

On 13 and 14 February 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) marked a significant milestone: the 20th anniversary of its ESA Business Incubation Centres (BIC) network. The event, held at the Max-Joseph-Saal in Residenz München, Germany, brought together entrepreneurs, experts, and policymakers to celebrate well-over two decades of fostering start-up companies that leverage space technology to revolutionise the commercial sector.

Panel discussion - 'ESA BIC Ecosystem & Behind the Scenes': (from left to right)

Cornelis Eldering, Head of the Space Solutions Section, European Space Agency (ESA); Nanja Strecker, ESA Business Incubation Centre CH and ETH Zurich; Markus Mrachacz, Managing Director at Bayern Kapital; Pierre Godart, CEO at Ariane Group; Jo Bjørnstad, Head of Space & Manager ESA BIC Norway; Géraldine Naja, Director of Commercialisation, Industry, and Competitiveness at ESA; and Marie-Christine von Hahn, Managing Director at BDLI e.V. Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie e.V.