ESA BIC Switzerland promotes five startups with Space connections

ESA BIC Switzerland is an incubation program offering startups that exploit space systems or technologies to develop non-space businesses or use terrestrial technology for an application related to space. During the next 24 months, selected startups receive technical support from companies and research organisations, business support and access to an extensive network. Each startup will additionally obtain financial aid totalling EUR 200’000 to support their development. 

The latest edition comprises five startups. These are:

Ascento: Security robots enabled by space data
The security industry is currently facing a major challenge with the guard leasing model, which has low profitability (c.a. 3% net profit margin) due to the high cost of guards, and it is harder to recruit and retain guards than before. To solve this problem, Ascento offers a Robotics-as-a-Service Security Solution (RaaS) that includes a two-legged robot that performs outdoor patrols on large private premises. It can navigate rough terrain, bumps, steps, and even snow with its off-road tires. Its “head” houses the computer, battery, sensors, and AI, which allow for generating daily security reports that help improve security mechanisms. It is equipped with a thermal camera that detects people and vehicles, while the 360° camera captures images of the surroundings. The accompanying AI and Machine learning-based Ascento Security Analytics software helps the robot to detect security issues, generate reports and communicate via a live feed with a backup operator. Founded in 2020, the company is testing the solution in pilot projects. 

Mondaic: Revealing defects and material fatigue inside composites by listening to ultrasonic waves. 
The ETH Spinoff Mondaic offers modern software and services for the simulation, analysis, and inversion of mechanical as well as sound waves across all scales. Its core product Salvus is a high-performance software suite for full waveform modelling and inversion. It focuses on performing fast, accurate, and flexible simulations across all spatial scales, and includes a comprehensive toolbox covering meshing, model building, data management and full waveform inversions.

Inverto: Using satellite data to improve large-scale site selection and monitoring for wetland restoration
Inverto aims to automate mangrove-restoration-as-a-service for mangrove restoration groups. Mangroves are excellent carbon sinks, many times more than terrestrial forests, and are critical for biodiversity. There are currently over 800'000 hectares of mangroves that can be restored; however, the planting of mangroves is very labour intensive in difficult terrain, slowing restoration efforts and increasing restoration costs. Inverto has engineered a system that can precisely release mangrove seeds from drones, reducing planting costs and speeding up the process. Using innovative methods for data collection, Inverto also develops an intelligent site selection approach to select planting locations as well as scalable techniques for data on carbon capture and biodiversity impacts.

Gravis: Autonomous construction with heavy machines for earth and space
Based on more than a decade of experience in construction robotics, Gravis has developed the world’s most advanced robotic excavators with robust autonomy in extreme environments. The embedded advanced teleoperation tools ensure seamless machine control where human judgment is essential, but where on-site operation puts lives at risk. Across the construction site or the continent, their intelligent networking stack maintains secure communication with remote construction equipment. 

BTRY: Solid-state batteries for reliable operation in the most demanding conditions in space
Founded in 2023 as a spin-off of EMPA, BTRY is leading the way with the industry‘s first energy-dense solid-state battery made with advanced semiconductor manufacturing methods, setting a new standard in the field. Joining the ESA BIC will enable the startup to advance its solution and bring it to new heights.   

 (RAN)