OBSERVER: CASSINI Challenges 2024 – Space data entrepreneurs compete for €1.15 million prize pool
OBSERVER: CASSINI Challenges 2024 – Space data entrepreneurs compete for €1.15 million prize pool
evan
Thu, 14/11/2024 – 11:11
Last year, with a prize pool of €1 million, CASSINI Challenges supported innovative commercial solutions using EU Space data from EGNOS, Galileo, and/or Copernicus. Dozens of companies and startups participated, presenting ideas, prototypes, or products, with tailored solutions focused on specific innovation areas.
Now open for applications, the 2024 CASSINI Challenges aim to award €1,150,000 to entrepreneurs and innovators and promote the use of space technologies to address pressing commercial, societal, and environmental challenges.
CASSINI Challenges
The CASSINI Challenges are part of CASSINI, the European Commission’s initiative to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs developing innovative applications and services which leverage the EU Space Programme.
In this competition, participants can submit an idea, a prototype, or a product. While the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which is responsible for the Challenges, is open to creative and ‘out-of-the-box’ solutions, participants must follow a set of simple rules. For starters, all solutions must involve space technologies. While past editions focused primarily on using EGNOS, Galileo, and/or Copernicus, this year, participants are also encouraged to include data and services from other components of the EU Space Programme, including those related to secure satellite communications or space surveillance and tracking.
EUSPA requests applicants to start their application by identifying a pressing commercial, societal, or environmental challenge. They should then propose an innovative solution which addresses this challenge using space technology, contributing to the competitiveness and innovativeness of the EU Space Industry.
Idea, prototype, or product
Applicants can enter the contest by presenting an idea, a prototype, or a product, depending on the maturity of their technology at the time of submission.
In all tracks starting with the challenge or problem to solve is crucial.
Ideas for submission should be framed by addressing a relevant commercial, societal, or environmental challenge and explaining how the idea would help to tackle it. A description of the use cases targeted, and the user needs it will address should also be included in the application. Although this category is focused on the idea stage, a strong commercialisation plan should be outlined. The expected technology readiness level (TRL) for applications in this category is between one and three (TRL1 -TRL3, on a scale ending at TRL9).
For participation with a prototype, a description of a typical use case, the user needs it addresses, and its value proposition should be provided. Prototypes should have a TRL between four and seven (TRL4 – TRL7).
For product submissions, applications should describe the typical use cases, the user needs addressed, and its value proposition. Importantly, commercial traction should also be demonstrated, such as completed pilot projects, signed commercial contracts, or proof of customer acquisition. The expected technology readiness level for products is between eight and nine (TRL8 – TRL9).
All submissions will be evaluated based on their problem-solving potential, market relevance, level of innovation, feasibility and impact, and effective use of EU Space data or services. Additionally, the team behind the solution matters: its expertise, vision, and diverse background will all be considered by the jury.
Timelines
Different segments of the CASSINI Challenges have different deadlines. The deadline for submitting an idea or prototype is 14 February 2025. For submissions in the product track, the deadline is 24 March 2025.
Over the coming weeks, EUSPA is hosting a series of webinars to address any questions about the prizes or the application process. You can already find the presentations delivered for the idea contest here and for the prototype competition here.
Awards
EUSPA will award multiple applications. The top 15 ideas will each receive a cash prize of €10,000, while the 10 best prototypes will receive €30,000 each. In the product category, EUSPA will select 7 winners, awarding €100,000 to each. All winners will be announced during the CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2025 event in Prague.
All information—including the contest timeline, deadlines, criteria, rules, and application process—is available here on the CASSINI Challenges website.
Thu, 14/11/2024 – 12:00
