On 13 and 14 February 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) marked two decades of fostering space innovation by celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Business Incubation Centres (BICs). Held in Munich, Germany, the event gathered entrepreneurs, successful space companies, industry experts, and policymakers to look back on the remarkable achievements of the ESA BIC network and chart the path for future growth.

Honouring Innovation in Space

During the two-day celebration, SPHERICAL proudly received the Junior Category Award, which recognises early-stage startups making significant strides in their development. Presented by Dr. Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, and handed over by Géraldine Naja (Director of Commercialisation, Industry, and Competitiveness at ESA), this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the SPHERICAL team.

Nominees in the Junior Category also included LETO Space and The Plasma Rocket Company, reflecting the strong pool of emerging talent within the ESA BIC programme.

ESA BIC’s 20-Year Milestone

In his welcome speech, Dr. Josef Aschbacher highlighted how ESA BICs have driven Europe’s space innovation ecosystem for two decades, transforming space technologies into groundbreaking commercial solutions. He noted:

“ESA BICs have been key to Europe's space innovation. We start with space and go beyond it—using space technology we can tackle global challenges and bring innovative solutions on Earth while promoting inclusivity and sustainability.”

Markus Blume, State Minister of the Free State of Bavaria, also underlined the importance of collaboration and innovation in the space sector, reinforcing that global challenges require a united approach involving startups, industry leaders, and academia.

SPHERICAL’s Journey with ESA BIC Noordwijk

SPHERICAL graduated from ESA BIC Noordwijk in 2024, benefitting from tailored business development and technical guidance. Reflecting on the company’s journey, Founder Thomas Parry says:

“We’re tremendously grateful to the entire team at ESA BIC Noordwijk, particularly Martijn Leinweber, who has supported us since day one. We also want to thank NSO – Netherlands Space Office and Ramon Peeters for their unwavering support throughout the ESA BIC programme and beyond.”

By leveraging ESA’s resources, SPHERICAL has rapidly advanced its technology and business model, putting the company on a clear path to commercial success.