The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Platform for Sports Innovation (EPSI) have signed a Memorandum of Intent for supporting purposeful innovation in the sports industry
During the EPSI Annual Conference in Bergamo, it was announced that both organisations have decided to work together to promote the development of space, utilising applications to support purposeful innovation which addresses the evolution of the sports sector. Elena Razzano, Business Applications Engineer at ESA, gave a keynote speech during EPSI’s General Assembly and a presentation on the second day of the Annual Conference. In both, she introduced the potential application of space technologies in sports and presented the funding opportunities and tools that ESA provides and will provide in the future for companies that work in that area.
The partnership
By signing the Memorandum, both ESA and EPSI confirm that they will work together sharing knowledge, resources and ideas to analyse, develop and implement innovative space-enabled applications which address sustainability challenges, and increase engagement in sports and a healthy lifestyle, while delivering positive net socio-economic impact. The roadmap of EPSI and ESA collaboration includes support for the most recent call Space for Olympics Games which launched in October and was introduced during EPSI’s Annual Conference in Bergamo. It also includes further support for the KickStart (KS) call for inclusive and accessible sport. In 2023 both organisations will engage with experts, will host brokerage events, and offer support to the business continuity of KS companies.
ESA as an intergovernmental organisation aims to provide for and to promote, exclusively peaceful purposes, enhancing cooperation among European States in space research and technology and their space applications, with a view of them being used for scientific purposes and for operational space applications systems. Furthermore, ESA has the technical expertise to support space-based applications and downstream services, in particular within the framework of the ARTES 4.0 Programme, “Business and Applications – Space Solutions” Generic Programme Line.
EPSI strives for innovation-friendly conditions for the European sports sector and its neighboring sectors, and to support sports business in Europe to flourish, thus contributing to the general growth of the European economy.
Sport is a growing factor in Europe’s economy and society. It has a broad socio-economic impact and, with the joint efforts of EPSI and ESA, sports innovation can thrive, helping the sports industry evolve, develop and bring huge benefits to all people citizens within the EU and beyond.
About ESA
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Learn more by visiting their website.
About EPSI
EPSI focuses on innovation in the areas of sport, physical activity, healthy lifestyle, vitality, environment, and all related impacted sectors. EPSI strives for more innovation-friendly conditions for the EU sports ecosystem, in order to stimulate technological innovation and to set up / develop businesses with a focus on the entire innovation spectrum.