Europes leading space business competitions team up at University

Students, entrepreneurs and businesses are invited to the University on 4 June to receive coaching and advice regarding Europe’s leading space business competitions, the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) and the Copernicus Masters, to help turn out-of-this-world ideas into a reality.

The contests ask budding entrepreneurs to come up with an idea for a new product or service that uses satellite positioning, navigation and timing technology – such as a GPS - or satellite Earth observation data.

As well as cash prizes, both competitions also offer a specific University Challenge prize aimed at students and research associates.

On 4 June the competition team will be running an information session on both contests and participants can sign up for a 1-to-1 session on the day to discuss their idea in confidence with the team or receive business, patent and Intellectual Property advice.

Professor Paul Monks (pictured), Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science at the University of Leicester Department of Chemistry and from the East Midlands Business and Research Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence (EMBRACE), which is hosting the event, said: “The competitions are a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect with the Space sector, and get the support they need to transform an idea into a business. It takes about two hours to complete an application; you don’t need a fully formed business plan and we’re here to help guide you through the process.”

The event takes place on 4 June at College Court, University of Leicester, Knighton Road, Leicester, LE2 3UF.

The competition closing date for the ESNC is 30 June 2015 and the Copernicus Masters closes for entries on 13 July 2015.