SpaceFounders enrols third class of future space champions

SpaceFounders, the European space start-up accelerator led by CNES and Connect by CNES in partnership with Bundeswehr University Munich (UniBw), has selected 10 start-ups for its class of 2023. SpaceFounders’ mission is to discover and nurture the next generation of space entrepreneurs and make them the future spearheads of a strong, innovative and sovereign space ecosystem.

The laureates of this third class are again addressing such key domains for space as space and debris surveillance, electric and chemical propulsion, logistics security and transparency, and Earth-observation satellite data and services to help gain new insights into the oceans and the impacts of a changing climate.

• Orbital Matter aims to develop in-space construction with its 3D printing technology geared towards building a new generation of space infrastructures in orbit, on the Moon and on Mars.

• Gate Space develops and markets extremely simple, affordable and efficient chemical thruster systems for satellites.

• Stellar provides anytime, anywhere connectivity for vehicles through existing and future telecommunications networks to take the mobility sector into the digital age.

• 3IPK is transforming space industry supply chains, guaranteeing data transparency and traceability through blockchain technology.

• Endurosat is easing access to space through shared satellite services.

• LookUpSpace supplies space safety and security data and services through a dedicated, sovereign and secure sensor network and cutting-edge data processing capabilities.

• Amphitrite helps maritime transport players to make the right decisions at sea thanks to a new generation of satellite ocean data.

• DBSpace is electrifying turbomachinery for in-space liquid propulsion.

• GRASP is supporting the transition to green technologies and informing decisions with respect to climate resilience, air quality and monitoring of land surfaces.

• Ion-X is developing a new exclusive electric thruster technology to support in-space mobility.

SpaceFounders’ ambition is also to forge ties and create commercial opportunities between European space ecosystems. The new laureates come from no fewer than six countries, with France leading the way, followed by Germany, Austria, Italy, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

The ten laureates will be in Toulouse from 6 March to kick off a week of intensive coaching with our local partners Airbus Defence & Space and Thales Alenia Space. The start-ups will then continue to work virtually up to a second session in Munich, Germany, in April to be ready for the closing Demo Day, after which they will join the cohort of 20 previous SpaceFounders laureates to further boost the community of future European space champions.

cp011-2023_-_spacefounders_batch_3_va.pdf (pdf - 67.1 KB)