Four startups selected for ESA BIC Switzerland

During the next 24 months, following four newcomers selected for the ESA BIC Switzerland program will benefit from an extensive support package, including up to EUR 200’000 in non-dilutive funding, technical support by companies and research organisations, business support and access to an extensive network. The program supports startups that exploit space systems or technologies to develop non-space businesses or those that use terrestrial technology for an application related to space.

Corintis
High temperatures reduce electronics’ efficiency, lifetime, and performance. The heat, which is generated in nano-meter-sized areas, has to travel through many layers before it is finally released. This is inefficient and has an enormous environmental impact. The cooling of data centers worldwide consumes more electricity than New York and London combined. Corintis uses microfluidics to cool chips, enabling more powerful electronics on earth and in space. Behind its technology is a monolithic, 3-dimensional network of microscopic channels that enable 2,000 W/cm  of heat extraction, extremely low-pressure drop, and reduced coolant consumption resulting in 50x higher energy efficiency in heat extraction than conventional liquid cooling.

Decentriq
More and more organisations are storing and sharing sensitive data, from credit card transactions to medical records, via the internet, which puts organisations in a fragile position due to the rising cyber-attacks. Decentriq, an enterprise SaaS platform provides data clean rooms on-demand for space data companies to easily and securely leverage data without security risks. The solution is built on an encryption-in-use technology called confidential computing, which can disintermediate costly 3rd parties and complex legal agreements.

TerraRad Tech
Aiming to optimise efficiency and sustainability using remote sensing technology, TerraRad Tech is developing a unique electromagnetic remote sensing device known as a microwave radiometer (sesnors) for both UAV- (multi-rotor-drone-) based and ground-based systems. Microwave radiometry is the premier remote sensing technology for soil moisture. The European Space Agency SMOS and the NASA SMAP satellites use this technology to monitor global hydrology and soil moisture for weather prediction. TerraRad’s patented technology can map 5-10 cm depth soil moisture through crops using a drone, with less than 2% error. Besides field mapping in precision agriculture, the technology is applicable for satellite validation for earth observation in the aerospace sector, active wildfire mapping, ice & snow (cryosphere) monitoring, hydrology and risk assessment.

Versics
Limitless communication on earth and in space to enable the data traffic of tomorrow, today. The Zurich-based startup develops, manufactures, and markets plug-and-play fiber-optic modulators for the next generation of high-speed fiber-optic networks for data centers, long-haul communications, test and measurement, and harsh environments such as outer space. Its innovative optical communication devices combine plug-and-play interfaces such as optical fibres, and high-speed electrical interconnects with photonic integrated circuits of lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI). Subsequently, the technology simplifies the hardware architecture and reduces the overall network’s operational expenditures.

Next deadline expires soon
Startups interested in joining the ESA BIC Switzerland program to explore their space connection or develop an application related to space are invited to apply until end of January to get a pre-evaluation. The definitive application deadline expires on February 28th, 2022.

(RAN)