Founding a Spacetech Startup
Space technology has become a driver of innovation and a key sector for many economic and geopolitical challenges, and the ability to monitor and research developments such as climate change. accent supports Spacetech startups from prototypes to small-batch production.
As accent, we support founders in the Spacetech sector with individual coaching, know-how and a broad network as well as funding opportunities in our ESA Phi-Lab Austria.
The founding of a Spacetech startup focuses on a technical innovation – at the same time, aspects ranging from financing and the legal framework to the specific technological challenges must be taken into account. Product development, business development, on-boarding of pilot customers, search for investors, intellectual property protection, marketing, supplier search – a variety of topics that challenge the founding team.
When founding a Spacetech startup, both the general aspects of every company foundation and industry-specific challenges must be taken into account.
Spacetech startups face unique and significant challenges that are very different from those of typical software or other high-tech startups. The main obstacles lie in the areas of financing, regulation, technological complexity and supply chain management, as well as the peculiarity of being in an international market from day one.
In addition to the legal framework, there are specific technical standards that ensure interoperability, safety and quality. Examples are the quality management system EN 9100 (AS/EN/JISQ 9100) and ECSS standards (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) for space systems and their operation.
accent is the high-tech incubator of the province of Lower Austria. In addition to its competence and many years of experience, the accent team also brings a high degree of commitment and passion for accompanying the founding team on their way to becoming the next business champion.
Selected experts will provide input on various startup-related topics such as marketing and sales, corporate law, financial planning, storytelling, trade law and the commercial register or dealing with financial investors.
Annual highlights include the accent Cross-Innovation Summit and the accent Boot Camp with Gigi Wang (University of Berkeley), during which founders spend a full week working on their business model, strategy, storytelling and presentation.
