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Last call: 1–2 seats left for Czech–Austrian Upstream Matchmaking

Only 1–2 slots still available

This in-person matchmaking event is for CEOs and senior decision-makers of Czech upstream space-tech companies who want to meet Austrian partners. Participants should come with one product they aim to scale and explore joint project ideas with an Austrian partner, with the potential to apply together for a future ESA Phi-Lab Austria call.

We currently have only 1–2 remaining spots for Czech companies. Registration is possible by contacting Anna Ruščák, ESA Technology Broker Czechia, at ruscak@tc.cz.

Why participate?

This in-person matchmaking event is designed for companies that want to move beyond networking and into real collaboration. The goal is to:

  • Connect Czech and Austrian upstream companies at CEO and decision-maker level
  • Enable partners to get to know each other in depth
  • Support the joint preparation of a concrete project, with the ambition to scale one specific product or technology
  • Lay the foundation for future consortia applying to upcoming ESA Phi-Lab Austria calls.

What to expect

  • 1 full day of focused interaction
  • 10 company pitches from selected upstream players
  • Unlimited networking opportunities with carefully matched partners
  • Direct access to ESA Phi-Lab Austria, Brimatech, and Technology Centre Prague

The event is intentionally limited in size to ensure high-quality discussions, meaningful partner matching, and sufficient time to explore joint project ideas with real market and scaling potential.

Event details

Czech–Austrian Upstream Matchmaking Day 2026
Connecting Czech and Austrian upstream companies, fostering concrete collaboration

📅 18 March 2026, 9:30-15:30
📍 ESA Phi-Lab Austria, Office Park 2, 1300 Vienna Airport, Austria

Who should register?

  • CEOs / top decision-makers of upstream space technology companies
  • Companies with a clear product or technology ready for further development or scaling
  • Teams motivated to co-develop a joint project with Austrian partners and explore ESA-related opportunities

Austrian companies – planned participants

In addition to current Phi-Lab “Philabees,” the following Austrian upstream entities are expected to participate:

  • RHP Technology – advanced materials, thermal and insulation solutions
  • AAC (Aerospace & Advanced Composites) – material development, testing, and ESA qualification
  • FOTEC – applied R&D, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing technologies
  • Space-Lock – space mechanisms and release systems
  • Testfuchs – aerospace and space testing and validation systems
  • Beyond Gravity – launch vehicle and satellite structural components
  • TTTech – avionics, deterministic networking, and safety-critical systems
  • LCM (Linz Center of Mechatronics) – mechatronic R&D and system design
  • PROFACTOR – manufacturing technologies and automation
  • Silicon Alps Cluster – electronics, microelectronics, and embedded systems ecosystem

These organizations have expressed interest in technology, manufacturing, and R&D cooperation with Czech partners.

Expected contribution from participants

Participation requires active involvement:

  • A 5–7 minute pitch (in English) covering:
    • core technical competencies of the company,
    • one product or technology proposed for further development or scaling,
    • the type of partner or cooperation sought.

The pitch is mandatory and will be used to support structured matchmaking.

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How to prep for an ESA Spark Funding defense?

On 20 January, shortlisted applicants will step into the ESA Spark Funding defence: a fast, focused pitch of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. By the time you enter the room (or join online), the evaluation board will already have read your proposal—so the defence isn’t a repeat of every detail. It’s your chance to re-cap the essence with confidence and make the panel feel that your project is real, feasible, and commercially relevant.

Your jury will typically include representatives from ESA Technology Broker Czechia, local authorities from the Ministry of Transportation, and ESA’s Commercialisation team—and may also include an industry expert. This mix matters: you’re not only speaking to technical evaluators, but also to people who will challenge your market logic, customer credibility, and delivery readiness.

In those 10 minutes, your mission is crystal clear: explain what problem you’re solving, present your solution, and make the technology transfer unmistakable. ESA Spark is about transfer that creates value—either space → terrestrial (a space-developed product, component, software, hardware, or know-how adapted for a new Earth application) or terrestrial → space (a terrestrial technology adapted for space use with clear commercial potential). If the panel has even a small doubt about what exactly is being transferred and why it matters, you’ll spend your Q&A trying to rescue clarity instead of strengthening confidence.

And commercial proof is not optional. Be ready to show who your customers are, what conversations you’ve already had, and why the market will pay attention. Letters of Interest carry weight—attach them wherever possible (even email exchanges count when done professionally). Your customer involvement should also be visible in your plan: referenced in your work packages and clearly reflected in your TEB (Technical/Technology Evaluation) story.

The Q&A will almost certainly probe: team competence (can you genuinely deliver, with the skills you claim?), technology transfer clarity (any ambiguity will be tested), work packages and timing (is the plan realistic?), budget (is it credible?), and your competitive landscape (do you understand who else is out there and why you still win?). The best defences feel calm because the team has rehearsed, aligned on roles, and can answer without improvising or overpromising.

A practical note: the defence is usually hybrid. Joining online won’t directly affect scoring, but attending in person can signal commitment. If your project includes a technology provider partner, bring them—especially if they hold key know-how or credibility. Finally, join/arrive at least 5 minutes early, test your setup, and treat the defence like what it is: a short, high-impact moment to prove your project is ready to move from proposal to reality. Results are typically communicated within two weeks (pass, pass with conditions, or fail)—so it’s worth preparing as if every minute on the day counts.

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Invitation to webinar about ESA Spark Funding (€ 75.000)

Have a concrete idea for a technology transfer?

ESA Technology Broker Czechia invite you to a focused, hands-on online session about ESA Spark Funding on 1 December 2025, 10:00–11:00. This webinar is designed for teams that already know what they want to transfer—whether it’s space → non-space (spin-off) or non-space → space (spin-in)—and now need to move from idea to action. Registration is here.

Who should join?

SMEs, corporates, startups, and R&D teams in Czech Republic with a concrete concept and the motivation to validate it commercially. We invite legal entity registered in the Czech Republic (for example a company, association, or other organisation with a valid IČO).

💡 What you’ll gain (all very practical)

  • A clear understanding of what counts as a technology transfer use-case
  • How ESA Spark Funding really works in practice
  • How the ESA Technology Brokers can support you: scouting, partners, next steps
  • Tips for writing a strong proposal
  • How to prepare for your proposal defence
  • Short real-world examples + live Q&A.

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Access ESA’s Top-Class Atomic Oxygen Testing at Only 1/5 of the Standard Price

ESA Technology Broker Spain is pleased to announce a unique Ride Share opportunity for Atomic Oxygen (AtOx) testing at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) top-class LEOX facility — available to all entities from ESA Member States at a significantly reduced cost.

How to Participate

ESA Technology Broker Spain manages the registration and coordination of this campaign.

🌍 Why It Matters

Atomic oxygen erosion is one of the main degradation mechanisms affecting materials and coatings used in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
Access to reliable AtOx testing is essential for space material qualification — yet such tests are usually expensive and limited to a few specialized facilities.

Through this campaign, ESA Technology Broker Spain, in collaboration with ESA ESTEC, is coordinating access to the LEOX (Low Earth Orbit Exposure) Facility.
This facility reproduces the atomic oxygen environment of LEO/VLEO, allowing materials to be tested under realistic orbital conditions.
Participants will also receive a complete scientific analysis of the results, performed by ESA experts.

💡 Key Benefits

  • Affordable access — testing offered at only 1/5 to 1/8 of the standard price
  • Expert analysis — ESA scientists will conduct the full post-test evaluation
  • Accelerated material qualification — realistic LEO/VLEO exposure shortens time to TRL
  • Top-class ESA infrastructure — testing performed at the ESA ESTEC LEOX facility (Noordwijk, the Netherlands)
  • Available to all ESA Member States — ideal for companies, start-ups, RTOs, and universities

⚙️ Test Parameters

  • Sample size: up to 2 × 2 cm (1–3 samples per material)
  • Exposure duration:
    • 1 run = 10 working days (LEO test)
    • 2 runs = 20 working days (VLEO test)
  • Campaign period: Q1 2026.
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Apply for Spark Funding!

Do you want to take your innovative projects to the next level?

We invite Czech companies to participate in the ESA Spark Funding technology transfer support program.

Main benefits of the program:

  • Leverage space technologies: Incorporate advanced space technologies such as materials, communication systems, sensors, and more into innovative products in your industry.
  • Secure co-funding of €75,000 for your project.
  • Speed up your project: The funding can cover costs for prototyping or expenses for market entry.
  • Support for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups: The ESA Spark Funding program is tailored for technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
  • Quick completion: The program is focused on projects lasting 6 to 12 months.

Important information:

  • Application deadline: December 19, 2025, at 23:59 CEST.
  • How to apply: Submit your filled application form via email to SparkFunding@tc.cz.
  • Frequently Asked Questions and more information are here.

Don’t miss this opportunity to leverage space technologies and innovate your business!

Questions? Concerns? Contact us on SparkFunding@tc.cz.

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Inside CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2025, Prague

Key takeaways from CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2025 in Prague: EU space startups, EUSPA technical insights, and investor-ready roadmaps

CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2025 in Prague brought together startups using space-enabled tech. Five were from Czechia; the rest represented Germany, Finland, Denmark, and other EU countries. Solutions focused on real operational needs: plant-growth monitoring, terrain and infrastructure surveillance (including rail tracks), strong laser network for space debris, and a notable water-borne drone with a self-recharging wind generator for extended deployments. ESA Technology Broker Czechia at Technology Centre Prague appreciates the personal invitation from Jana Kominek Večerková (EUSPA) and the constructive engagements throughout the day. The CASSINI and European space ecosystems came together as EUSPA, in partnership with EUDIS, hosted a standout event featuring 400+ participants, multiple panels and pitching sessions, and keynotes from space leaders.

Why it Mattered

The event combined three tracks that actually reinforce each other:

  • Showcasing working prototypes and pilots on stands.
  • Matchmaking founders with investors
  • Founders refined short pitches of their companies and solutions.

Technical Depth (the best part)

Conversations with EUSPA experts turned demos into design reviews. A highlight was a discussion with Kati Tahvonen (EUSPA), who—like ESA Technology Broker—has petrochemical and marine industry experience. We focused on:

  • Corrosion and probe design for wind-powered energy modules: corrosion resistance, maintainance, coatings, and failure modes.
  • UAV stability and mission assurance: redundancy, vibration isolation for sensitive payloads, and instrumentation so systems reveal issues early.

The tone was vivid and constructive.

Where conversations got interesting

CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2025 in Prague (8–9 October) proved its value as EUSPA’s flagship meetup by combining a curated startup expo, structured investor matchmaking, and expert reviews under one roof. The event’s design—free access, exhibition space, 1:1 meetings, and pitching blocks—kept the focus on practical adoption rather than showmanship. Content emphasized Europe’s strategic priorities in space and defence, with sessions on capital, certification pathways, and the CASSINI Challenges awards anchoring the agenda. For participants, the immediate outcomes were clear: sharper roadmaps, stronger investor–founder fit, and concrete next steps for deployment across Earth-observation and downstream services. In short, it delivered what Europe’s space ecosystem needs most right now: qualified connections, rigorous feedback, and momentum toward field-ready solutions.

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ESA Technology Broker Czechia to Participate in Dronedge 2025

In recent years, the landscape of satellite navigation and communication has transformed, fostering new possibilities and challenges for industries worldwide. As the European Space Agency (ESA) embarks on

The ESA Technology Broker Czechia, based at the Technology Centre Prague, was actively participating in Dronedge 2025 and supporting the ESA Ambassador and ESA BIC. On 2 October 2025, ESA Technology Broker Czechia, together with ESA BIC Czech Republic and ESA Ambassador were informing about ESA support for innovative companies.

Visitors were warmly invited to stop by the ESA Ambassador stand, where they could learn more about how ESA supports startups, innovators, and companies in bringing space technologies into non-space sectors, as well as how drone-related solutions can benefit from ESA’s network, funding, and expertise.

This collaboration underlines ESA’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening the Czech aerospace and drone ecosystem, and creating bridges between space technology and practical applications on Earth.

Dronedge 2025 – Program

Location: Fantova budova, Prague Main Railway Station
Theme: Drone Applications in Practice & Security/Defence, Testing Grounds in the Czech Republic, and Technology & Innovation

Morning Session – Applications & Security

  • 09:40 – UAVA
  • 09:45 – E.ON – BVLOS automated line inspections
  • 10:00 – 3L Robotics – drone delivery & helipads
  • 10:10 – SITMP – medical drone delivery
  • 10:25 – Retia – drone detection
  • 10:35 – AMOS – drones in Ukraine: trends & support
  • 10:55 – Czech Army – drones in armed forces
  • 11:15 – LIAZ – unmanned helicopter for diverse use cases
  • 11:25 – Excalibur International – FPV drones & loitering munitions
  • 11:35 – Rescue Trailer – mobile platform for drone operations

Drone Testing Grounds in the Czech Republic

  • 11:45 – Fly in Diamonds (Moravské Budějovice)
  • 12:00 – Sokolovská uhelná / SUAS
  • 12:15 – Veletrhy Brno / BVV – Living Lab
  • 12:30–13:30 – Lunch

Afternoon Session – Technology & Innovation

  • 13:30 – Telink – protection of critical infrastructure
  • 13:45 – Pramacom – Skydio, Parrot & Lockheed Martin drones
  • 14:00 – Quantum Systems/Skymaps – advanced eVTOL drones
  • 14:15 – Geotronics Praha – WingtraRAY & C3, C6 compliance
  • 14:30 – Airvolute/Skymaps – autopilots & accessories
  • 14:45 – Texxar – UAV geophysics & dual use
  • 15:05 – HP/3Dees – 3D printing for UAV components
  • 15:20 – Flapper Drones – bioinspired flying drone
  • 15:30 – DroneVision – mapping & digitalization from drones

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Invitation: Workshop on From Space to the Earth

From Space2Business: Everything You Need to Know About Successful Projects in ESA and Horizon Europe

Are you developing an innovative technology or idea that could benefit from space data, technology, or funding?
Join this hands-on seminar to learn what makes ESA and Horizon Europe projects stand out

Hybrid format – choose how to join:
🔗 On-site: Event link
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams: Join here

🌍 About the Workshop

From Space to the Earth will showcase how space materials and technologies are being transferred into everyday applications here on Earth. From bold proposals to successful pitches, you’ll see how to turn ideas into impactful business opportunities.

🛠️ Why Attend?

  • Learn by Example: Get inspired by new real-life success stories of companies that transformed space innovations into commercial products.
  • Practical Guidance: Discover what works (and what doesn’t) when applying for support and how to avoid common pitfalls.
  • Funding Insights: Understand step-by-step how to prepare a winning proposal and pitch.
  • Networking Opportunity: Meet entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry experts who are already navigating the funding landscape.

📅 Event Details

  • Date: 20 October 2025 (Monday)
  • Time: 13:30-15:30
  • Venue: Werichova vila, Prague or online
  • Language: Czech

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Tech Needs Matchmaking – Space & Dual-Use Technologies

Join us for a hands-on workshop that connects real industry dual-use needs with space-enabled solutions and opens doors for new cooperation opportunities.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 15:00 (lunch included)
📍 Venue: Technology Centre Prague

💡 Registration is here.

👥 Who Should Attend?

This event is designed for:

  • Engineers (System Integrators, Mechanical, Electronics, Robotics/AI)
  • CTOs
  • Product Delvelopers and R&D Managers
  • SMEs working on security, defense, or civil innovation
  • Space technology providers with ready-to-transfer solutions

Agenda Highlights

  • 10:00 – Registration & Welcome Coffee
  • 10:30 – Introduction to ESA Technology Broker & dual-use opportunities
  • 11:00 – Industry speakers: concrete dual-use technology needs
  • 12:00 – Lunch & Networking
  • 13:00 – Interactive Workshop and Business2Business meetings
  • 14:30 – Wrap-up & Coffee
  • 14:45– 14:50 – Closure and the next steps

Why Join?

  • ✅ Get inspired by real-world dual-use cases
  • ✅ Find new partners from both civil, space and defense sectors
  • ✅ See the bigger picture – Dual-use is one of the fastest growing areas of innovation. Space technologies are increasingly in demand across civil and defense markets.
  • 💼 Direct business opportunities – Hear real challenges from industry & public sector and pitch how your solution can help.
  • 🛠 Expand your market – Learn how your innovation can be applied outside your current sector.
  • 🤝 Meet decision makers – Connect with industry leaders, public institutions, and investors in one place.
  • ✅ Turn space technologies into practical solutions for today’s challenges

Join Us at Technology Centre Prague

📅 Tuesday, 11 November 2025
🕙 10:00 – 15:00
📍 Technology Centre Prague

This is the 6th Technology Needs event in Europe, 2nd in Czech Republic organized by ESA Technology Brokers.

Don’t miss this chance to explore dual-use opportunities!
Stay ahead of the curve and unlock the potential of space technologies.

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Tech Needs Matchmaking in Prague: Space Technologies Address Challenges of Autonomous Drones and Speed Verification

On 25 September 2025, the Technology Centre Prague hosted the in-person workshop Tech Needs Matchmaking – Space vs. Autonomous Control Systems. The event brought together 26 company representatives – mainly engineers, CTOs and programmers – to address specific technological needs presented by Prolab Engineering and ŠKODA AUTO. These included challenges in the development of autonomous ground and flying drones and the creation of an independent software speed verifier for ŠKODA AUTO’s autonomous vehicles.

Keynote Speakers

  • Petr Hnízdil (Prolab Engineering) – innovations in robotics, engineering, and transport systems.
  • Jaroslav Machan (ŠKODA AUTO / Czech Technical University in Prague) – expert in autonomous driving and AI in transport.
  • Jana Komínek Večeřková (EUSPA) – who presented industry trends and the Cassini initiative for SMEs.

Outcomes of the Workshop

During the sessions, space sector companies responded to pre-defined challenges, such as improving the accuracy of autonomous drone localization in unknown environments and designing a software-based speed verification system.

The program included 9 (nine) one-to-one business meetings, enabling direct discussions between space companies, drone and automotive manufacturers, and representatives from EUSPA, which also highlighted current market trends.

Professor Jaroslav Machan (CTU/ŠKODA AUTO) concluded:
“The meeting was surprisingly very fruitful. We thank the organizers – specific solutions to the challenges of speed verification in autonomous systems were identified.”

Broader Impact

Overall, the workshop confirmed that space technologies have strong potential to provide innovative solutions for autonomous control systems in both the automotive and drone industries.

The event was organized by ESA Technology Broker Czechia in cooperation with the Technology Centre Prague, with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA). This is the third event in Europe, with the first two organized by ESA Technology Broker Netherlands.