New space incubator for start-ups dealing with space
Enterprise Ireland has signed a deal with European Space Agency to develop a Space Business Incubation Centre in Ireland. The signing took place during the Enterprise Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to Netherlands and Germany led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, but the exact timeframe for the new premisses has yet to be confirmed.
Aiming to attract, and further, 25 start-ups in Ireland over the next five years, the new Space Business Incubation Centre in Ireland (ESA BIC Ireland) comes at a time of great excitement for the industry.
There are more than 45 Irish companies working with ESA already, growing by around five a year, with Irish investment in the agency already providing dividends. According to Enterprise Ireland, this resulted in the generation of €76m last year, with 600 jobs supported by the industry in Ireland.
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, feels this can “foster increased innovation” across the research realm, with areas like advanced materials, micro-electronics and avionics set to prosper :
“Ireland already has a proud record of building up a cluster of space technology companies”, said Enda Kenny, who hopes this new space incubator will take advantage of state investment, Irish R&D and, ultimately, ESA expertise.
