THE EUROPEAN UNION’s SPACE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE
CASSINI is the European Commission's initiative to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs in the space industry, including New Space, during 2021-2027. The initiative is open to all areas of the EU Space Programme, and covers both upstream (i.e. nanosats, launchers, etc. and downstream (i.e. products/services enabled by space data, etc.). CASSINI includes a €1 billion EU seeds and growth fund, hackathons and mentoring, prizes, a business accelerator, partnering and matchmaking.
Upcoming events
HACKATHONS & MENTORING
Online competitions to foster EU Space data ideas that target high social impact business opportunities. It is designed for students, researchers and entrepreneurs who see investors’ visibility. Hackathons are held twice a year on variable themes addressing EU sustainability and digitalization goals.
CHALLENGES
An online innovation competition boosting Galileo and Copernicus data solutions showing clear market uptake. Participating entrepreneur teams and early-stage start-ups shall address real-world domains such as health or mobility. Winners receive cash prizes and networking opportunities to evolve their products and bring them to the market.
BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
An acceleration programme offering coaching, training, and events to boost the commercial evolution of top space start-ups. The programme helps participants developing sales and fundraising skills, extending their network, and accessing local stakeholders. It is tailored to space companies in growth stage that have a product on the market and already achieved pre-commercial success.
MATCHMAKING
A series of dedicated events for introducing start-ups, scaleup companies and SMEs to investors and corporates. Start-ups receive pitch training, curated intros, and 1-to-1 meetings, to help them secure funding and form partnerships. Also, investors connect with investment-ready companies and corporates can have early access to fresh tech inputs.
INVESTOR NETWORK
CASSINI fosters investment into EU-based space companies. The CASSINI Investment Facility is an initiative that provides up to 1 €Bn risk capital to VC funds. Also, it promotes EU Space business, stimulating Family Office investments and institutional loans.