Call for experienced mentors

The 2018 Copernicus Accelerator, Europe’s Earth observation (EO) business coaching programme, is looking for mentors to pass on their knowledge and experience to 50 entrepreneurs and start-ups. Registrations are possible until 17.09.2018 at accelerator.copernicus.eu

Brussels, 24 July 2018 – Fostering the use of Copernicus data and spurring the development of commercial space applications using EO data are the main objectives of the European Commission’s Copernicus Accelerator. Through the Copernicus Accelerator programme, start-ups will receive support from experienced mentors and will work with them on advancing their innovations over a period of 10 months.

Therefore, the Copernicus Accelerator is looking for professionals with experience in business coaching, or in the Earth observation, ICT, mobile industry areas as mentors to support entrepreneurs in turning their business ideas into reality. Interested mentors are welcome to register until 17.09.2018 at https://accelerator.copernicus.eu/programme/#mentors.

Mentors and mentees are matched according to their needs and expertise and decide together on the focus of the coaching programme. The mentor will support the market entry and the achievement of measurable progress of its mentee. He or she is remunerated for the business coaching services with EUR 6,500 including travel cost to two Copernicus Accelerator Bootcamps as a fundamental part of the programme. Additionally, the mentor has the chance to interact with industry stakeholders, institutions, and other experts from various fields.

The coaching programme will be kicked off at a bootcamp with all mentors and mentees in Marseille, France, on 3 and 4 December 2018 as part of the European Space Week 2018. At the end of the coaching programme, all mentors and start-ups will meet again in September 2019 at the closing bootcamp to officially seal their coaching relationship.

The European Commission has set up the Copernicus Start-up Programme. It consists of four elements aiming to enhance the uptake of Copernicus data and services: Copernicus Prizes as part of the Copernicus Masters innovation competition, Copernicus Hackathons, Copernicus Incubation Programme and Copernicus Accelerator.

The Copernicus Accelerator is a programme of the European Commission, implemented by SpaceTec Partners and AZO Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen.