NRG Solutions, a space technology company, has been accepted into the European Space Agency's Business Incubation Centre in Latvia "ESA BIC Latvia" support programme. This is the first company to be admitted to the incubation programme, which is expected to support at least 12 start-ups over a five-year period.
NRG Solutions uses Earth observation data and geospatial technologies to modernise property valuation and assessment. The company's solution provides real estate professionals with remote, data-driven insights by identifying structural and environmental factors that affect the condition of buildings. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on on-site inspections and subjective assessments, NRG Solutions offers a scalable and data-rich alternative that improves efficiency and decision-making accuracy.
"We are really excited to be the first company selected to participate in the ESA BIC. We look forward to a fruitful incubation period, leveraging the knowledge, support and community of ESA BIC. Our goal is to turn complex Earth observation datasets into practical value for real estate professionals, and the start is already promising," says Linda Sēle, CEO of NRG Solutions.
Lev Lapkis, CEO of ESA BIC Latvia, says NRG Solutions is a great example of how space technology can be used to solve real problems on Earth. "We are committed to supporting their growth," he said.
Offers mentoring and up to 60 thousand euros
"ESA BIC Latvia" will support the start-ups for two years - with funding of up to €60,000, access to the extensive European Space Agency network in Europe, as well as local mentoring, technical support, legal and intellectual property advisory services and a link to an international network of space innovators and industry. During the incubation period, companies will also have the opportunity to participate in European Space Agency procurement.
You can apply for "ESA BIC Latvia" at any time, but admission to the programme takes place twice a year after the Tender Evaluation Board meetings. The next application deadline is 22 June 2025.
"We continue to actively seek new start-ups with significant potential to develop the space economy. We are here to help bold, space-related ideas grow into scalable businesses that create value for Latvia and beyond," said L. Lapkis.
Latvia has joined the European space elite
Last year, Latvia joined the Agency's community of business incubation centres with the opening of the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre "ESA BIC Latvia", wrote Labs of Latvia. The incubator is managed and implemented in Latvia by Commercialisation Reactor, which won a public tender launched by the European Space Agency.
"With the launch of ESA BIC Latvia, Latvia will join the elite of the European space ecosystem. This milestone gives our start-ups access to a world-class platform for growth and innovation," said Nikolajs Adamovičs, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Commercialisation Reactor.
L. Lapkis said that the mission of the Centre is to build a sustainable space startup community, positioning Latvia as a science-based economy with a strong focus on the space industry. "We believe that this can be achieved by systematically supporting the creation of new and globally positioned companies. For example, you don't have to think about how to launch rockets or build satellites right away; there is a market demand for new materials and components, services for space missions and the use of satellite data to boost the economy," said Mr. Lapkis.
Space as a fast-growing part of the economy
Earlier, Angelina Bekasova, Senior Space and Innovation Policy Expert at the Ministry of Economy, stressed that participation in this project means that new companies will be born in Latvia, creating jobs, paying taxes and exporting their services and products. Referring to data from the European Space Agency, she said that every euro invested in space programmes attracts an additional €2.8 in investment, while direct and indirect revenues amount to €7.2, 49% of which comes from exports.
"Space may seem like a fashionable thing, but it is an important and fast-growing part of the economy that will only grow in the future. Timely support for the development of the space industry, such as involvement in the European Space Agency's network of Business Incubation Centres, allows us to ride on the train that is developing space technology, rather than just watching others on that train go past us and trying to chase after us," said Ms Bekasova.
There are no limits for space innovations
The European Space Agency's business incubation centres have been operating for more than 20 years, but the opportunity to set up such a centre in Latvia has only recently opened up. In 2023, the European Space Agency, at the request of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economy, launched a tender with the possibility to open a European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre "ESA BIC Latvia". "ESA BIC Latvia" was opened last year. The Latvian incubation centre is managed by "Commercialisation Reactor."
Currently, ESA has 32 business incubation centres in 22 countries. In total, the Agency's business incubation centres have helped develop more than 1 800 start-ups over the last 20 years.
Source: ESA BIC Latvia
Photo: "NRG Solutions" founders Jānis Sēlis and Linda Sēle, and "ESA BIC Latvia" manager Lev Lapkis
