First Copernicus Accelerator Bootcamp

"We need business to develop tailor-made applications for specific users; reach out to new users, communities and sectors; and sell products to international markets. This is why we have launched this year the first Copernicus Accelerator. It will provide coaching to the top 40 applicants of the Copernicus Masters. It is the first stone of our Copernicus startup programme, which will accompany startups from the generation of an idea to its full commercialisation." explains Phillipe Brunet, Director for Space Policy, Copernicus and Defence, DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the European Commission.

Bootcamp to leverage EO business ideas to the next level
The agenda for the first Bootcamp of the Copernicus Accelerator was packed with inspiring presentations giving deep insights in the potential of Copernicus applications, intense workshops and coaching sessions on investor pitches and business model canvassing, speed dating with expert mentors, and great networking opportunities to connect with the European EO and GNSS community.

The Accelerator Bootcamp sets forth the official start of the 8 month-long coaching programme provided to the 40 best entrants of this year's Copernicus Masters competition. It was the first time mentees and mentors joined up in person, and had the opportunity to begin developing a coaching plan, including objectives and KPIs of their affiliation. Furthermore, all participants were able to connect with industry leaders, renowned institutions and mingle with ambitious startups to begin developing exciting synergies. The one-and-a-half-day event took place in Madrid in the impressive premises of the Circulo De Bellas Artes.

Opportunities provided by Copernicus for business and society
The data provided by Europe's ambitious Earth observation programme Copernicus - which is generated by the Sentinel satellite fleet, the Contributing Missions and the Copernicus Services - is not only open to users worldwide, but also provided free of charge. This enables Copernicus to contribute to the development of a wide variety of innovative applications and services tailored to specific public or commercial needs. Over the last five years, the Copernicus Masters has evolved into the leading international platform for future-oriented ideas, applications, and business concepts that use Earth observation in everyday life. This is why the competition provides the ideal source for beneficiaries of the Copernicus Accelerator: 40 brilliant entrepreneurs from among the Copernicus Master's participants, who will now receive tailored business coaching support delivered by high-level professionals from the realms of Earth observation, ICT, mobile industry and more. Funded by the European Commission, this initiative aims to support outstanding entrepreneurs in turning their promising ideas into reality, successful entering the market and achieving measurable progress towards their established objectives.

Following the Bootcamp in Madrid, the mentors will regularly follow-up with their assigned mentees until July 2017, to evaluate process made and ensure the achievement of the set objectives.

Further information on the Copernicus Accelerator is available online.