March 31, 2026
Munich, Germany
Siemens has partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) by joining its Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC) program, offering new opportunities for startups coming out of ESA’s Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs). (Image credit: ESA/NASA/Cities at Night)
Siemens will provide industrial-grade, comprehensive digital twin capabilities and a fully digital engineering and simulation backbone for the European space industry along with access to mentors and experts in the field – all through a tailored Incubator Program Offer for the EPIC program’s startups. With Siemens Xcelerator, space tech startups will be able to design, simulate and validate complex systems in a virtual environment – transforming their engineering capabilities, accelerating their product development and enabling early successes and long-term scale. The initiative also includes opportunities for joint activities to increase visibility within the European space ecosystem.
Siemens will provide industrial-grade, comprehensive digital twin capabilities and a fully digital engineering and simulation backbone for the European space industry along with access to mentors and experts in the field – all through a tailored Incubator Program Offer for the EPIC program’s startups
The ESA BICs operate across 37 centers in Europe and represent the largest network of incubators supporting space-related startups in Europe with the goal of supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to scale. To date, over 2,000 startups have benefited from the program. The Siemens offer will also be available to projects supported by the ESA Technology Brokers and ESA Phi-LabNET.
“As a leading provider of software for space initiatives, supporting emerging startups through our collaboration with the ESA is part of Siemens’ DNA. Europe does not lack ideas in space. It needs runways to take off at scale,” said Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG. “Together with ESA, we are shaping the future of spaceflight: we help startups scale faster and bring their technologies into industrial use. This strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty in the space industry.”
“We welcome Siemens’ participation in the EPIC initiative and look forward to the value their technology and expertise will bring to our startup ecosystem,” said Geraldine Naja, director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, European Space Agency. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to foster innovation and support the growth of high-potential startups across Europe.”
Joana Kamenova, Commercialisation Officer and EPIC lead at ESA (left) and Yona Baskharoun, Global Industry Manager for SMB, Partners & Academia - Simulation & Test, Siemens Digital Industries Software (right) at the collaboration’s kick-off meeting in ESA ECSAT site.
To learn more about Siemens cooperation with ESA’s EPIC initiative and how the two organizations are supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs with a space-based business idea, visit https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/simcenter/siemens-simulation-esa-space-startups/
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
In fiscal 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €78.9 billion and net income of €10.4 billion. As of September 30, 2025, the company employed around 318,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
press.software.sisw@siemens.com
Link to Press Release
Munich, Germany
Siemens has partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) by joining its Partnership Initiative for Commercialisation (EPIC) program, offering new opportunities for startups coming out of ESA’s Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs). (Image credit: ESA/NASA/Cities at Night)
- - Siemens signs a letter of intent with the European Space Agency to join its partnership initiative – bolstering Europe's capabilities in sectors which are vital for both economic growth and national security
- - Collaboration provides startups with access to Siemens Xcelerator software licenses, space industry expertise and mentorship
- - ESA’s startup network has supported over 2,000 space startups across 37 European centers
Siemens will provide industrial-grade, comprehensive digital twin capabilities and a fully digital engineering and simulation backbone for the European space industry along with access to mentors and experts in the field – all through a tailored Incubator Program Offer for the EPIC program’s startups. With Siemens Xcelerator, space tech startups will be able to design, simulate and validate complex systems in a virtual environment – transforming their engineering capabilities, accelerating their product development and enabling early successes and long-term scale. The initiative also includes opportunities for joint activities to increase visibility within the European space ecosystem.
Siemens will provide industrial-grade, comprehensive digital twin capabilities and a fully digital engineering and simulation backbone for the European space industry along with access to mentors and experts in the field – all through a tailored Incubator Program Offer for the EPIC program’s startups
The ESA BICs operate across 37 centers in Europe and represent the largest network of incubators supporting space-related startups in Europe with the goal of supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to scale. To date, over 2,000 startups have benefited from the program. The Siemens offer will also be available to projects supported by the ESA Technology Brokers and ESA Phi-LabNET.
“As a leading provider of software for space initiatives, supporting emerging startups through our collaboration with the ESA is part of Siemens’ DNA. Europe does not lack ideas in space. It needs runways to take off at scale,” said Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG. “Together with ESA, we are shaping the future of spaceflight: we help startups scale faster and bring their technologies into industrial use. This strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty in the space industry.”
“We welcome Siemens’ participation in the EPIC initiative and look forward to the value their technology and expertise will bring to our startup ecosystem,” said Geraldine Naja, director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, European Space Agency. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to foster innovation and support the growth of high-potential startups across Europe.”
Joana Kamenova, Commercialisation Officer and EPIC lead at ESA (left) and Yona Baskharoun, Global Industry Manager for SMB, Partners & Academia - Simulation & Test, Siemens Digital Industries Software (right) at the collaboration’s kick-off meeting in ESA ECSAT site.
To learn more about Siemens cooperation with ESA’s EPIC initiative and how the two organizations are supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs with a space-based business idea, visit https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/simcenter/siemens-simulation-esa-space-startups/
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
In fiscal 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €78.9 billion and net income of €10.4 billion. As of September 30, 2025, the company employed around 318,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Contacts for Press
Siemens Digital Industries Software PR Teampress.software.sisw@siemens.com
Link to Press Release