Promoting Earth Observation Innovation in Europe
For the 12th time, the Copernicus Masters is opening its submissions to award innovative solutions that use Copernicus Earth observation (EO) and other space data. The competition partners, with global players from institutions, research and industry, are awarding dedicated challenges and prizes. The common goal of the Copernicus Masters and its partners is to foster European space solutions and the use of EO data to tackle everyday challenges as well as to contribute to the European Green Deal. From 11 April to 11 July, innovators in all stages of their careers are invited to join the competition and submit their solution online.
Weßling, 11 April 2022 – The global innovation competition for Earth observation (EO) – is in search of outstanding applications, solutions, and services from future-oriented SMEs, startups, universities and individuals in the fields of business, research, and higher education that tackle important challenges faced by business and society by utilising Copernicus EO data.
Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation programme, which looks at our planet and its environment for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. Contributing towards the sustainable management of the environment, Copernicus services deliver free, near-real-time data at a global level. The demand for such EO data is exploding, especially since innovative solutions for today’s challenges, such as climate change, food security or water supply, are crucial.
The Copernicus Masters has been striving to meet these needs since 2011 by highlighting innovative approaches that use Earth observation data. From 11 April to 11 July, participants can submit their innovative EO application or service to seven challenges offered by the following partners: European Space Agency (ESA), the German Space Agency at DLR, BayWa, UP42 with Airbus, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and Portugal Space (Portuguese Space Agency). The winning teams of each challenge will gain rewards ranging from cash or direct access and commercial EO data to expert support and incubation for their business. At the same time, they have the possibility of entering a variety of regional prizes offered by a global network of prize partners.
Participants can demonstrate their innovative use of EO data across a wide variety of challenge topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing, data analytics, health, smart farming, maritime and digital transportation – to name just a few.
“With the Copernicus Masters, ESA successfully established a globally recognised innovation competition that supports the next digital generation of new business ideas using EO data beyond Europe’s borders with an international partner network,” states Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programmes & Head of ESRIN, European Space Agency. ESA is an initiating partner of the Copernicus Masters and has set a challenge every year since 2011.
“I’m excited to reach the next level of EO innovation and see where it can lead us, with the help of our prestigious winners of the Copernicus Masters 2022,” adds Thorsten Rudolph, Managing Director of AZO, the competition organiser.
Together with cash prizes, the challenge and prize winners will receive access to an international ecosystem of leading Earth observation organisations, substantial satellite data quotas, and individual business development support worth more than EUR 500,000. The Overall Winner will receive an additional cash prize of EUR 10,000.
To join the Copernicus Masters 2022, participants need to apply by 11 July at https://copernicus-masters.com/apply.
About the Copernicus Masters
AZO Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen launched the Copernicus Masters in 2011 on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) and with the strong support of world-class partners. The Copernicus Masters is an international competition with the objective to drive Copernicus user uptake of Earth observation (EO) data and thus respective business cases. With partners such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission (COM), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), BayWa AG, Airbus & UP42, the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), and Portugal Space, the competition rewards innovative solutions for business and society. With the expansion of the Copernicus Space Component every year, new prize categories, like the Regional Prizes, enable solutions that tackle global challenges. For more information www.copernicus-masters.com.
About AZO – Your Partner in Competition & Innovation
AZO Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen is an international networking and branding company for the European space programme, supporting entrepreneurship with more than 700 companies founded in Europe. Over the last 18 years, AZO has established the leading European space cluster innovation network for the satellite downstream market. The Masters Series, presented by AZO, consists of the Galileo Masters, Copernicus Masters, and INNOspace Masters. AZO also manages its ESA Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Bavaria and Northern Germany. This incubation programme has supported more than 200 company foundations in Bavaria alone to date. AZO runs a very successful business angel and investor network, which invested EUR 380 million of venture capital in 2020 alone. For more information, please visit www.azo-space.com.
