The European Innovation Council (EIC) is inviting EIC-backed startups and scaleups to do business with one of the most important global space manufacturers, Thales Alenia Space (TAS).
The EIC-backed companies, selected by TAS to participate in this initiative, will receive tailored business support and will participate in an exclusive pitching and matching session with TAS’s experts and decision makers in Turin (Italy), next 20-21 May 2025.
TAS is seeking high innovative solutions in the Space and Automative sectors, unlocking new markets, and developing innovative solutions at the intersection of these two industries.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity and APPLY by 7 March 2025
Why apply?
Selected EIC-backed companies will benefit from:
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Customised preparatory support including a group session with TAS, a 1-to-1 session with business experts, high-quality feedback to adjust the pitch deck, pitch dry-run, and business proposal review.
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Possibility to initiate collaborations, strategic partnerships or enter new markets with TAS.
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Knowledge sharing and network building.
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Privileged access to high-level decision makers within TAS.
Who can apply?
Thales Alenia Space seeks innovative solutions, across the Automotive and Space sectors, to open new markets and boost competitiveness in Space Exploration, Telecommunications, Earth Observation, Navigation, Lunar Economy, leveraging Efficiency & Sustainability, Scalability and Durability and Technology Transfer.
They are particularly interested in the following focus areas:
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Advanced Materials: utilising space-grade or automotive-grade materials to improve space and terrestrial vehicle durability, weight reduction, and performances (e.g. Lightweight materials and Carbon Fiber Composites qualified for extreme operational temperatures ranges, Thermal Protection and Management Materials, Nanomaterials, ..)
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Components, EEE, actuators, sensors, units, mechanisms: cross-contamination between space and automotive sector to design and manufacture mechanical or electrical components and units for terrestrial and on-orbit applications as well as for lunar/martian mobility systems (e.g. High-torque Brushless DC Motor, precision sensors, advances actuators, environmental sensors, haptic feedback technologies, fault detection sensors, ..)
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Data and Connectivity: enhancing vehicle connectivity and data management using satellite technologies in Low Earth or Low Moon Orbit constellations (e.g. Satellite navigation and connectivity, high precision mapping, remote sensing and environmental monitoring, real time navigation, satellite enhanced vehicle connectivity platform, cybersecurity, ...)
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Manufacturing and Robotic Mechanisms: processes, methods, and technologies for large-volume productions in the automotive sector that can support the development of the in-orbit manufacturing industry, such as manufacturing, testing, validation (e.g. robotics arms and mechanisms, additive manufacturing, high-volume production techniques and in-orbit manufacturing, enable in-space manufacturing, ...)
Other areas of interest can involve:
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Energy Solutions: developing new energy storage, distribution, and propulsion systems inspired by space exploration and automotive green solutions (e.g. production and/or solar energy innovations, distribution and transmission of energy management systems, hydrogen fuels cells, water propulsion, thermal management solutions, ...)
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Autonomous Systems: integrating space navigation and communication technologies to advance autonomous driving systems useful for Earth as well as Lunar/Martian surfaces and on-orbit applications (Space 2 Space) (e.g. advanced sensors and AI, robust software platforms, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, infotainment services, ...)
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Safety, Resilience, RAMS: applying space mission and automotive sector safety protocols and technologies to improve safety standards, such as collision avoidance maneuvers.
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System level solutions: infrastructural, communication, mobility, and transportation solutions at the system level to which the automotive and space sectors industries can contribute (e.g. smart traffic management systems, urban air mobility, sustainable infrastructure development, integrated mobility platforms, ...)
Please specify which specific topic/topics you are interested in in your application.
EIC-backed startups and scaleups can apply here.
Please acknowledge that the information you provide on the application form will be shared with Thales Alenia Space, who will select the participants based on their business interests and strategic goals.
The EIC team will contact all selected applicants once the process is finished. However, this contact does not include feedback or recommendations for those not selected.
Commitment required:
Participants must be available for the entire duration of the programme, which includes the preparation phase (online training sessions, pitch checks, and business proposal reviews), the event days (in-person) on 20-21 May 2025, in Turin, Italy, and follow-up activities. Selected companies must be represented by C-level executives. Additionally, selected participants will be responsible for arranging and covering their travel and accommodation costs.
About Thales Alenia Space (TAS)
TAS is a space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Our customers are governments, institutions, space agencies and telecommunications operators. TAS also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. The company recorded consolidated revenues of 2.2 billion euro in 2023, it has 8,600 employees and it operates in 8 countries, with 16 facilities in Europe.
TAS is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%).
About the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme
This call and service are part of the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme which supports EIC-backed companies looking to scale by securing new customers and business partners. To date, more than 1 500 EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups, together with over 2 500 high-level representatives from more than 100 large companies, have taken part in the programme, resulting in significant impacts on organizations, tracking progress, and closing deals, often within 6 months.
About the EIC Business Acceleration Services
This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Business Acceleration Services. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporations in Europe, keep an eye on our events page.
All participants are expected to fill out a brief satisfaction survey shortly after the matchmaking opportunity and a business impact survey after six months. Failure to do so may lead to exclusion from future Business Acceleration Services.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations will only be considered in duly documented cases of "force majeure". Unjustified cancellation can lead to exclusion in future EIC Business Acceleration Services business opportunities. For additional information, please refer to our Helpdesk (please choose "EIC Corporate Day with Thales Alenia Space" as the subject).
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.