Siemens joins ESA’s EPIC initiative to boost space startups across Europe

Siemens has signed a letter of intent with the European Space Agency to join its Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC), aiming to accelerate the growth of European space startups and strengthen the region’s position in the global space economy.

The collaboration focuses on startups emerging from ESA’s Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs), providing them with access to industrial software tools, engineering expertise and mentorship. The goal is to help early stage companies transition from concept to scalable, market ready solutions.

Through the initiative, Siemens will offer access to its Xcelerator portfolio, including advanced digital twin, simulation and engineering tools. These capabilities allow startups to design, test and validate complex systems in a virtual environment, reducing development cycles and improving product reliability before physical deployment.

Beyond software, startups will gain access to Siemens experts and industry know how, supporting both technical development and industrialisation pathways. The collaboration also includes joint activities aimed at increasing visibility within the European space ecosystem.

ESA’s incubation network currently operates across 37 centres in Europe and has supported more than 2,000 startups to date. The Siemens offering will also extend to projects supported by ESA Technology Brokers and Phi LabNET, further broadening the initiative’s reach.

Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries at Siemens, said the partnership addresses a key gap in the European space sector. Europe, he noted, does not lack innovation but needs stronger pathways to scale technologies into industrial applications.

Geraldine Naja, Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness at ESA, added that Siemens’ participation will bring significant value to the agency’s startup ecosystem and aligns with its mission to foster innovation and support high potential ventures.

The EPIC initiative is part of ESA’s broader effort to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and competitiveness in space related industries, spanning both commercial and strategic domains.