High technology small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
The dynamism, flexibility and innovative capabilities of high technology small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are of high value to Europe’s space industry. ESA actively encourage this industrial group to become involved in its space programmes.
The aim is to enable ESA, and the European space industry, to tap into the potential of innovative SMEs and to open up opportunities for them to work more extensively with ESA and its space contractors.
SME Unit
The SME Unit in ESA was set up to handle the implementation and management of ESA’s SME Initiative and policies adopted by ESA regarding SMEs, as well as their coordination with other institutional actors such as national space agencies.
A number of actions are taken to reinforce the technical capabilities and sustainability of SMEs such as funding the validation and adaptation of technologies from SMEs to satisfy space engineering requirements, and providing firms with dedicated training programmes, access to technical expertise, and support for partnership and business networking.
Technical support to SMEs
Several measures have been taken to provide technical support to SMEs:
- ESA training and technical assistance
- access to ESA facilities and laboratories
Each year ESA organises a number of training programmes targeted towards industries operating in, or wanting to enter, the space sector. Priority is given to SMEs and the courses cover key aspects of doing business in space-related industrial fields.
A special scheme has been put in place to make the use of ESA’s testing facilities and laboratories available to SMEs at a favourable cost.
For more detailswww.esa.int/SPECIALS/SME
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