ESA BIC Ireland today celebrated the achievements of the 29 companies that have participated to date in its business incubation programme at the inaugural ESA BIC Ireland Showcase, which took place at NovaUCD, University College Dublin.

The showcase was attended by Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

To date companies supported by ESA BIC Ireland have raised €37 million in equity funding and currently employ 165 people.

ESA BIC Ireland is a 2-year business incubation programme supporting high potential start-up companies developing a broad range of applications in sectors including; agritech, medical device, health and wellness, materials science, semiconductor, maritime, cybersecurity, disability support, sports performance and elite sports.

Speaking at the showcase event Minister Neale Richmond TD said, “It has been an exciting few years for the Space Industry in Ireland and it’s great to see Irish technology has been part of many international initiatives such as the Juice mission and the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Irish Government’s investment in space, particularly through our membership of the European Space Agency, has had a significant impact with the number of Irish companies that secured contracts with the European Space Agency growing from 60 in 2017 to 97 in 2022 – an increase of over 50% in just four years. A number of these companies have come through ESA BIC Ireland and this shows the fantastic work being carried out by ESA BIC in supporting companies throughout the country to accelerate their product development process and hone their commercialisation potential.”

Peter Smyth, Commercial Director, Tyndall National Institute, and Chair of ESA Space Solutions Ireland, which manages ESA BIC Ireland said, “ESA BIC Ireland is a national programme that supports ambitious companies across the country, with the support of Maynooth University, Technological University of the Shannon, Tyndall National Institute and University College Dublin. It presents start-ups, such as those taking part in today’s Showcase event with a wonderful opportunity to grow their companies and benefit from the ESA BIC network in Ireland and the 28 ESA BIC networks that operate across other ESA Member States.”

Professor Helen Roche, Interim UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, “We were delighted to host this event at NovaUCD today as a platform to highlight the wide range of start-ups which are using space technologies, and which are being supported by the ESA BIC consortium partners, to grow and scale on the international stage.”

Among the companies taking part in a panel discussion at today’s showcase event at NovaUCD were, ApisProtect, Motoklik, Plasma Bound and Tisalabs.

ESA BIC Ireland is currently recruiting its next cohort of companies. The closing date for applications from start-ups interested in benefiting from ESA BIC Ireland incubation supports is 6 June.

ESA BIC Ireland is funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, through Ireland’s membership of the European Space Agency and Enterprise Ireland.