As part of the sixth European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC), the ESA Technology Transfer Programme is awarding a special prize of O10,000 to the applicant with the best innovative business plan.

Satellite navigation is a good example of how Europe’s space research can be used for commercial purposes, from more traditional applications in the automotive industry, to uses in the computer games market. With its innovation prize, ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme (TTP) is seeking to encourage companies to realise the transfer potential of this technology, and promote business concepts based on knowledge transfer and innovative technological combinations.

“The really interesting innovations come from the interdisciplinary transfer of technologies, or the ‘recycling’ of technologies in new areas of application, if you like,” says Frank M. Salzgeber, Head of ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO).

ESA is offering this prize in the frame of the ESNC, a globally recognised innovation contest which is now in its sixth year. The aim is to find the best quick-to-market innovative idea for the use of satellite navigation in a non-space sector, ensuring the technical and financial support of TTPO.

The winner will receive direct support at one of ESA’s three Business Incubation Centres located in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. There they will have the opportunity to be assisted by ESA experts, and will have access to space technologies.

People from all over the world can apply to this contest under the conditions of the local support scheme. Those wishing to participate can present their innovative idea in the form of a coherent business plan on the ESNC idea database (www.galileo-masters.eu) by 31 July 2009. Following registration, participants will be able to download a format template for their business plan.

The ESNC is an international innovation contest that rewards the best ideas in satellite navigation applications. The competition has been organised by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen since 2004, and is oriented towards companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes, universities and private individuals.

Having begun with three partner regions, this year’s ESNC will be held in 17 high-tech regions all over the world. The ESNC is intended to further strengthen international collaboration, particularly for the development of applications and services made possible by Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system.

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO)

The main mission of the ESA TTPO is to facilitate the use of space technology and space systems for non-space applications, and to further demonstrate the benefits of the European space programme to European citizens. The TTPO is responsible for defining the overall approach and strategy for the transfer of space technologies, including the incubation of start-up companies and their funding.

For more information please contact:

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office
European Space Agency ESA – ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG, Noordwijk ZH
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0) 71 565 6208
Fax: +31 (0) 71 565 6635
Email: ttp @ esa.int
Website: http://www.esa.int/ttp