On 22 and 23 November 2018, more than 100 incubation practitioners attended the eighth EBN TechCamp hosted by ESA Space Solutions in ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk (The Netherlands). EBN Members and ESA Space Solutions Network gathered together for the first time in an inspiring venue that allowed them to network, interact and explore possible collaboration paths between the two networks.

The opening of the EBN TechCamp  focussed on the tips and tricks on how incubators can better support internationalisation of entrepreneurs and startups. As knowing the innovation ecosystem and the market  where the entrepreneur wants to go it is very important,  being part of a network that supports connections with business support organisations, incubators and business innovation centres from other regions is great value to enhance this service.

The discussion was enriched by EU|BICs from different European regions that showcased their internationalisation services – both for the “take-off” and the “soft-landing” phases, and EC funded programmes that encourage and support international exchanges and connections: ENRICH, Incobra, FabSpace, etc.

Back to the origins (when the TechCamp was mainly an incubation tools fair), the TechCamp continued with a session dedicated to a selection of  tools available on the market that can help business support organisations in one hand, and entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs in the other hand to make their job  more productive, efficient and effective. This edition of the TechCamp counted with the presence of Areopa and the masterclass of Ludo Pyis on Intellectual Capital management, followed by the pitching of the following tools ad providers: GrowthWheel, EY Finance Navigator and Compass.

In the afternoon the discussions continued in parallel working groups. Driven by the EBN special interest groups (EBN SIGs), the sessions focussed on how to strengthen collaboration in the space sector (SPACE SIG), and on the latest trends and available opportunities in the green and bio economy sectors (BIO & GREEN SIG), such as PentaHelix upcoming webinars.

The 1st day closed with a zoom session on EU-Brazil STI cooperation opportunities in the aerospace sector. Powered by Incobra and ENRICH in Brazil, the panel showcased the Brazilian aerospace cluster. Concrete experiences of EU-BR cooperation with the PEARL network, possible internationalisation paths with PqTEC and 2 relevant calls for proposals under Horizon 2020.

Informal discussions around a glass of wine to close the day with a networking dinner at ESA/ESTEC where some of the business could get materialised.

#Goodmorning Noordwijk! #EBNTechCamp day2 is on! #Techtransfer from Space to Earth: and you discover that space & ????, space & ????, space & ???? have something in common. 'Space technology doesn't exist! There are space applications of technologies that can be applied elsewhere too' pic.twitter.com/ZqClA0aOKH

— Chiara Davalli (@ChiaraDavalli) 23 November 2018

The second day kicked off with ESA Members on stage to present the collaboration opportunities they can offer to EBN Members and their clients. Technology can have different applications, being space one of them, so opening the mind and using this technology for Earth applications is what ESA Space Solutions is fostering. As a first proof of this new born collaboration, EBN is organising together with Verhaert and IPN a webinar on 18 December about ‘Funding and training opportunities in the space sector’, regsitration is now open.

Before convening participants to the next EBN gathering, they were asked to join the EBN team and executive board to brainstorm in a “world cafè” format on how to valorise the EU|BIC label within and outside the EBN community itself. Lots of inputs and comments were raised during the discussions: these will feed our action plan for 2019! 

Once again, the EBN TechCamp showed to be a great opportunity for networking and ideas exchange, as well as being a marketplace for new business among EBN Members and ESA Space Solutions Members. 

If you want to read more about the TechCamp, have a look at the tweets and  visit our gallery.