This year, the European Union (EU) and Europe’s flagship space programmes celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. It laid the crucial foundation for building a peaceful and united EU for its citizens, by establishing a common free market. To further push its prosperity with space-based applications, the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) dedicated the “EU at 60 – Space for Europe” Special Prize, presented by the European GNSS Agency (GSA). The winners of this Special Prize can choose a business incubation centre within the EU28 worth up to EUR 40,000.
Accelerate Your Application European-Style
They have the opportunity to develop their business idea into a real venture at a suitable incubation centre of their choice for six months. A six-month extension is based on evaluation after the first period. In addition, the winning idea will benefit from extensive promotion through the GSA’s numerous marketing channels and at relevant industry events.
SIGN UP NOW until 30 June 2017.
Solutions Powered by GNSS Wanted
Submitted applications are to provide innovative solutions fostering European integration, for instance transportation solutions for people and goods. Especially in regards to current political threats and humanitarian-related crises management, secure transportation is key for EU citizens, people seeking refuge in Europe and traffic management. To ensure this, global satellite navigation systems (GNSS) are the fundamental asset for precise positioning. Therefore, the ESNC constantly is in search of pioneering business cases making use of GNSS and offering added value services. The current GNSS market is bigger than ever. According to the latest GNSS Market Report by GSA, an estimated 5 billion GNSS devices are in use around the world. This number is expected to skyrocket to 8 billion by 2020.
“The ESNC has provided an excellent platform for promoting EGNOS and Galileo. […] the ESNC also provides the gateway to a wide range of unique business applications for the GNSS programmes.” states Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director, GSA.
ESNC Participants Enrich Gigantic SatNav Market
The market for satellite navigation (SatNav) services has been growing steadily and is expected to be worth EUR 250 billion per year by 2022. Today, around 7% of the EU economy is dependent on the availability of global navigation satellite signals.* This huge market volume is the perfect basis for innovative applications and solutions scouted by the ESNC. Former GSA Special Prize Winner JOHAN Sports is the perfect example. The startup’s system tracks players in real-time during field sports by using EGNOS and Galileo. They recently reached a partnership with the Champions Soccer League USA (CSLUSA). This deal with CSLUSA is a strategic partnership which involves the league utilising the player performance equipment of JOHAN for over 50 teams.
Pan-European Space Spirit Shaping Europe’s Future
The EU’s flagship space programmes, Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, embody the achievements of European integration. They bring real benefits to individual EU countries and European citizens. As the precursor to the Galileo programme, EGNOS enhances GPS signals to provide more precise positioning on the pan-European level.
After 60 years of fostering a peaceful and prosperous EU, current tendencies are threatening to pull Europe apart. It is time to perceive this major challenge as a big chance to build upon specific long-term achievements and instruments, such as the EU space programmes, in order to guarantee a more united Europe. In this context, the ESNC’s innovation network puts the regional dimension into the lime light, to ensure high diversity in the European community and ultimately to accelerate the job growth potential it holds.
About the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC)
The ESNC’s annual search for new services, products, and business innovations is designed to encourage the use of satellite navigation in everyday life. Over the past decade, it has evolved into the leading innovation competition comprising partner regions worldwide, the largest space-related incubation network and the most relevant European GNSS stakeholders. The ESNC’s newest feature is Europe’s largest E-GNSS Accelerator, providing more prizes, services and three further business incubations. Sign up now until 30 June at www.esnc.eu.
* according to the European Commission
