ESA Phi-Lab Finland: Boosting Innovation For Space

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Developed and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Phi-Lab consortium aims to commercialise space technology. In Finland, the consortium is coordinated by Aalto University, with the participation of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the National Land Survey of Finland and the University of Vaasa.
ESA Phi-Lab Finland Launch - Aalto Startup Center
Picture: Kalle Kataila - Aalto University

The official launch for this new project run by Aalto Startup Center, happened recently at the main stage of the Winter Satellite Workshop. This new research to business support program, will focus on space innovations, especially in the geospatial domain. The first application deadline will be announced soon, so be sure to follow the project on LinkedIn to learn all about it at ESA Phi-Lab Finland.

According to Tomi Erho, Director of Innovation Services at Aalto University, Head of Innovation Ecosystem Services at Aalto University, the consortium will support the selected projects financially, but especially with research expertise and infrastructure.

‘The projects selected for ESA Phi-Lab Finland will focus in particular on remote sensing technologies and environmental monitoring applications, as well as the development of navigation technologies. In these areas the Finnish space sector has rapidly developed into an international leader, and there is also a big commercial opportunity in Finland,’ says Erho.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is providing €5.2 million in funding for this six-year project, of which €4.4 million will go directly to financial support for selected projects. The total budget of the activity is around €11 million and is supported by ESA, the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation, the KAUTE Foundation and the Weisell Foundation. The first round of applications will begin shortly, keep an eye on the programme website to be the first to know.

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