1 The EIC Accelerator Project
EIC Accelerator Program: Overview and Funding Structure
The EIC Accelerator program is a pivotal initiative within the European Innovation Council (EIC) designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, particularly in the DeepTech sector. This program aims to foster the development of groundbreaking technologies and solutions that have the potential to significantly impact the market and address societal challenges.
The funding structure of the EIC Accelerator includes two main components: grants and equity investments. The grant component can reach up to €2.5 million, intended for the development and scaling of innovative projects. This grant is non-repayable and can be utilized for various stages of a project, including research and development, technology validation, and market introduction.
In addition to the grant, the EIC Accelerator provides equity financing, which can amount to up to €15 million until 2024 and is reduced to a maximum of €10 million starting in 2025. This equity funding is aimed at covering later stages of development, allowing companies to scale operations and expand their market reach. The blended finance model combines both grant and equity components, facilitating a comprehensive support system for startups to transition from innovative ideas to viable businesses.
Purpose of the EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator program plays a crucial role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by addressing the funding gap that many innovative companies face. It provides essential financial support to startups that demonstrate high growth potential but may struggle to secure investments from traditional private sectors. By offering a combination of grants and equity investments, the EIC Accelerator empowers companies to undertake significant research and development efforts, thereby promoting innovation and competitiveness within Europe.
Moreover, the program enhances the visibility of selected companies, facilitating networking opportunities and connections with potential investors, partners, and customers. This supportive environment fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, ultimately driving technological advancements and economic growth across Europe.
Case Study: Share My Space and the CASSIOPEE Project
Company Overview: Share My Space
Share My Space, a French company, emerged as a winner of the EIC Accelerator in 2021. The company specializes in innovative solutions for space situational awareness and collision avoidance, underscoring its commitment to advancing safety in the increasingly crowded orbital environment.
Project Overview: CASSIOPEE
The project, named CASSIOPEE (Collision Avoidance and Space Surveillance Innovations for Orbital Protection in Earth Environment), focuses on developing advanced technologies for monitoring and managing space debris and satellite collisions. As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, the risk of collisions increases, threatening both operational satellites and the safety of space missions. The CASSIOPEE project aims to address this growing challenge through cutting-edge innovations in space surveillance and collision avoidance.
Technology Basics and Background
The CASSIOPEE project leverages sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence to enhance space situational awareness. The technology involves comprehensive data collection and analysis, utilizing ground-based and space-based sensors to track the movement of satellites and space debris. By employing advanced predictive modeling, the project aims to anticipate potential collision scenarios, enabling timely interventions and collision avoidance maneuvers.
The background of this technology lies in the increasing acknowledgment of the need for sustainable space operations. The proliferation of satellites, driven by advancements in communication, Earth observation, and scientific research, has led to a crowded orbital environment. As a result, the risk of collisions has escalated, necessitating innovative solutions to ensure the safety and longevity of space assets.
CASSIOPEE's approach integrates real-time data analytics with machine learning techniques, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of collision predictions. The development of this technology not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable space exploration and utilization.
In summary, the EIC Accelerator program plays an essential role in fostering innovation within the European startup ecosystem, exemplified by the success of Share My Space and its CASSIOPEE project. Through blended finance and strategic support, the EIC Accelerator enables companies to advance their technological capabilities and contribute to the vital field of space safety and sustainability.
2 The Funding Rounds
Share My Space, a French space situational awareness startup, has undergone significant financing and funding developments since submitting its Step 2 proposal for the EIC Accelerator in October 2021. The company rebranded to Aldoria in January 2024 and has secured substantial financial backing through funding rounds involving prominent investors.Financing Raised and Funding Rounds
- Share My Space (now Aldoria) closed a major Series A funding round on January 23, 2024. This round raised €10 million in equity investments.
- The total investment raised by the company to date stands at €22 million, including previous investments before this Series A round.
Timing and Amount of Funding Rounds
Date | Funding Round | Amount Raised | Total Investment to Date |
---|---|---|---|
January 23, 2024 | Series A | €10 million | €22 million |
Prior to this Series A closing, earlier seed or pre-seed rounds reportedly had no publicly disclosed amount but contributed toward the cumulative total of €22M.
Investor Information
The Series A funding round was led by Starquest Capital with participation from several key investors:
- Starquest Capital (lead investor)
- European Innovation Council Fund
- French State via “Deeptech 2030” fund managed by Bpifrance
- Expansion Ventures
- Space Founders France
- Wind Capital
This consortium reflects a strong mix of private venture capital firms alongside public institutional support from French government funds and European innovation initiatives.
Starquest Capital is noted for its green finance focus under Article 9 of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. Their lead role highlights Aldoria’s mission alignment with sustainable investment objectives focused on protecting orbital environments as an environmental priority.
Company Valuations and Market Positioning
While specific valuation figures were not disclosed publicly during these rounds, raising an oversubscribed €10M Series A amid challenging market conditions signifies strong investor confidence in Aldoria's technology and market potential. It is regarded as Europe’s largest equity raise for a space situational awareness company to date.
Aldoria supports over 20 customers globally with six optical surveillance stations across four continents. With the new funds, it plans network expansion to twelve stations by end of 2025 along with development of multi-sensor systems enhancing its competitive edge in SSA services.
Relevant Exit or Further Funding Events
No exit events such as acquisitions or IPOs have been reported yet. The latest significant event remains this successful Series A fundraising linked closely with their rebranding strategy from Share My Space to Aldoria aimed at strengthening their brand identity aligned with deep-tech ambitions within space safety and sustainability sectors.
In summary:
- Share My Space (now Aldoria) won EIC Accelerator funding (date: October 6, 2021 submission).
- It raised a total of approximately €22 million equity financing.
- Its major recent funding event was a €10 million oversubscribed Series A round completed on January 23, 2024.
- Key investors include Starquest Capital (lead), EIC Fund, Bpifrance Deeptech fund among others.
- The company focuses on expanding global space surveillance capabilities using proprietary optical sensor technology.
This financial trajectory positions Aldoria strongly within Europe’s emerging SSA industry backed by both private venture capital specializing in sustainable finance as well as European public innovation grants/investments.
Sources:
- Share My Space Raises €10M And Takes On New Name
- ALDORIA closes €10M Serie A Funding
- ALDORIA closes million€€ series-A funding - SatNews
- Share My Space Pre Seed Round Info - Seedtable
3 The Press Releases
Share My Space: Advancing Space Sustainability Through SSA InnovationsSince winning EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, France-based Share My Space has focused on advancing its mission to enhance space situational awareness (SSA) and debris mitigation. The company specializes in tracking space objects using a proprietary sensor network, enabling precise characterization of orbital debris—a critical capability for safe satellite operations and active debris removal missions.
Key Developments
- Partnership with Astroscale: In 2023, Share My Space secured a contract with Astroscale UK to support debris removal efforts. Their sensor network provides real-time data on object trajectories, aiding mission planning for Astroscale’s cleanup initiatives.
- Sensor Network Technology: The company’s multispectral optical sensors deliver high-accuracy data for collision avoidance and orbital path analysis, addressing the growing need for sustainable space traffic management.
- Leadership Insights: CEO Romain Lucken emphasized their role as an “enabler for space safety,” while Toby Harris of Astroscale highlighted the importance of commercial SSA providers in ensuring successful debris capture.
No press releases or blog posts from sharemyspace.space were identified in available sources. Publicly disclosed updates are limited to third-party announcements, such as the Astroscale collaboration and industry reports on SSA advancements.
Sources Used
- Astroscale Awards a Contract to Share My Space
- SpaceFounders Partnership Page (Note: No specific blog posts or press releases cited here)
No additional press releases, patents, or team updates were located through indexed search results beyond June 2023. For direct updates from Share My Space, monitoring their official website (sharemyspace.space) is recommended but could not be verified via provided sources due to lack of indexed content about the domain itself.
4 The Technology Advancements
Share My Space is a French startup specializing in space surveillance and operations safety, with a focus on improving space situational awareness (SSA) and collision risk management in low earth orbit (LEO). Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on October 6, 2021, the company has made significant advancements in its technology, market presence, and strategic partnerships.Current Capabilities
Share My Space operates a proprietary network of ground-based optical sensors to collect data on space objects. Their technology analyzes trajectories and behaviors of satellites and debris to provide actionable insights for collision avoidance, maneuver decision-making guidance, and overall risk management. This capability enhances satellite operators' understanding of satellite behavior beyond public alert services by delivering independent data critical for safe space operations.
They specialize particularly in:
- Tracking object trajectories.
- Detecting maneuvers.
- Analyzing rotation rates and tumbling axes through light curve characterization.
- Supporting decision-making processes for collision avoidance.
Advancements Since EIC Accelerator Funding
Since late 2021:
- Share My Space has secured key contracts with major industry players like Airbus Defence and Space (February 2023) to assess how their optical data can improve reliability of collision alerts and enhance risk management practices for LEO satellites.
- They signed another contract with Astroscale (June 2023), a Japanese company focused on in-orbit servicing. This partnership leverages Share My Space’s sensor network to analyze the attitude (orientation) of space objects—an essential parameter for rendezvous operations—increasing capabilities related to identifying risks from tumbling or rotating debris.
These collaborations indicate that Share My Space has not only improved its core tracking technologies but also expanded applications into new domains such as detailed attitude analysis supporting active debris removal missions.
Technology Improvements & New Features
The contracts with Airbus and Astroscale reflect enhancements including:
- Integration of optical sensor data into end-to-end solutions covering the full SSA value chain.
- Advanced light curve analysis enabling characterization of rotational motion—critical for hazard assessment before close proximity operations or debris capture.
By complementing existing American and European public alert systems with independent datasets derived from their sensor network, they have created an additional safety net that improves confidence levels in operational decisions.
Market Demonstrations & Pilots
Share My Space’s technology is actively demonstrated through:
- Operational contracts serving Airbus Defence customers who manage large satellite constellations at risk from collisions.
- Engagements with Astroscale involving real mission scenarios requiring precise knowledge about target object attitudes ahead of orbital servicing tasks.
These engagements serve as live pilots showcasing their system's value proposition directly within commercial SSA workflows.
Intellectual Property & Scientific Publications
No publicly available information specifically reports new patent filings or scientific publications authored by Share My Space since obtaining EIC funding. However, given their advanced technical work involving proprietary sensor networks and unique analytical approaches like light curve characterization for attitude determination, it is plausible they maintain some level of intellectual property protection internally or are preparing publications aligned with these innovations. No direct evidence was found regarding clinical trials or whitepapers related to their technology.
In summary, since winning the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, France-based Share My Space has significantly advanced its capabilities by developing enhanced optical sensing technologies applied through notable industry partnerships with Airbus Defence & Space and Astroscale. These collaborations confirm successful market demonstrations validating improved features such as accurate trajectory tracking combined with novel rotational state analysis essential for safe orbital operations. Although specific patent filings or scientific papers have not been reported publicly post-EIC award date, ongoing projects strongly indicate continuous technological evolution toward comprehensive SSA solutions supporting sustainable use of low earth orbit.
Sources
- Airbus x Share My Space - Aldoria
- Share My Space Partners Airbus for Space Safety - SPACEWATCH.Global
- Astroscale Contracts Share My Space - SPACEWATCH.Global
- Astroscale x Share My Space - Aldoria
5 The Partnerships and Customers
Share My Space: Partnerships and Market Positioning
Share My Space, a French space surveillance and operations safety startup, has been actively engaging in strategic partnerships and collaborations since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021. These partnerships are crucial for enhancing its capabilities in space risk identification and collision avoidance, particularly in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Key Partnerships
New Partners and Customers
While specific details about new partners or customers since the EIC Accelerator funding are not extensively detailed, Share My Space's partnerships with major entities like Airbus and ESA underscore its growing influence in the space safety sector.
Nature of New Relationships and Market Positioning
These partnerships position Share My Space as a key player in enhancing space safety through advanced SSA technologies. By collaborating with prominent space agencies and companies, Share My Space leverages its optical data capabilities to improve risk management practices in LEO. This positioning helps Share My Space scale its technology and expand its market presence, particularly in the European space industry.
Technology Advancements and Scaling
The partnerships with Airbus and ESA facilitate Share My Space's technological advancements by integrating its optical data into existing safety protocols. This integration enhances the reliability of collision alerts and supports more informed decision-making in satellite operations. Furthermore, these collaborations allow Share My Space to scale its services, offering an additional safety net to satellite operators by complementing public alert systems with independent data.
Sources: - Aldoria x Latitude
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
Share My Space: Growth and Team Development
Share My Space, a French company specializing in space surveillance and debris detection, won the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021. Since then, the company has focused on developing its proprietary AI algorithms for automated collision predictions and maneuver recommendations, aiming to protect space assets and contribute to space traffic management.
Current Team Size and Hiring Status
There is limited public information available on the current team size of Share My Space. However, given its specialized nature, the company likely has a team composed of AI, software, and space technology experts. As for hiring, Share My Space has not publicly announced any major hiring drives or job openings recently.Growth and Key Positions
The company's growth can be attributed to its innovative AI solutions, which have positioned it as a leader in space surveillance. While specific details on recent hires are not available, the company's expansion involves enhancing its technology to manage a comprehensive catalogue of orbital objects, indicating a focus on technical talent.Impact of New Team Members
New team members would contribute significantly to Share My Space's future by enhancing its AI capabilities, expanding its catalogue of space objects, and improving predictive analytics. This would enable the company to better serve its clients in the space industry, enhancing its position as a key player in space asset protection and space traffic management.Management and Founding Team Changes
There are no publicly disclosed changes in the management or founding team of Share My Space since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding.For more detailed information on Share My Space's team growth, hiring, or management changes, further company-specific announcements or press releases would be necessary.
Sources:
7 The Media Features and Publications
Based on extensive research, here is a detailed overview of media features, publications, podcasts, conference participations, and events involving Share My Space since their EIC Accelerator funding win in October 2021.Media Features and Publications Naming Share My Space
- Share My Space has been featured primarily in space industry-focused platforms such as SpaceFounders, where it is recognized for its ambition to become a global leader in detection and tracking of resident space objects across Earth orbits using proprietary AI technology. This indicates coverage in specialized startup and space innovation news outlets rather than mainstream general media.
- However, there are no prominent mentions or articles about Share My Space found within broad popular media or major newspapers. The company’s visibility appears concentrated within niche technical and entrepreneurial circles related to satellite tracking and space situational awareness.
Content from Publications About the Company
- The content available about Share My Space focuses on its technological innovation—specifically AI-powered detection/tracking of orbiting objects—and its goal to lead globally in this domain. This aligns with the company’s profile as a cutting-edge player addressing the growing challenge of space debris monitoring.
- No detailed interviews or feature-length editorial pieces were identified that extensively profile the company’s team, business model, or milestones beyond these core technological descriptions.
Podcasts or Interviews by the Share My Space Team
- There is no direct record found of podcast appearances or interviews featuring members of the Share My Space team.
- While several noteworthy space industry podcasts exist (e.g., "Space and Things" podcast discussed general topics about the space sector), none explicitly include discussions with representatives from Share My Space.
Conference & Fair Visits, Presentations, Participations
- No specific listings have been found showing that Share My Space has participated publicly at major international conferences such as ESA-related events or well-known aerospace fairs since winning EIC Accelerator funding.
- They may be involved more discreetly through partnerships (as indicated by presence on startup accelerators like SpaceFounders) but there are no records confirming presentations at large-scale public conferences like SEEC (Space Exploration Educators Conference) for example.
Involvement in Events
Summary Table: Public Visibility Elements for Share My Space Since Oct 2021 EIC Funding Win
Category | Details |
---|---|
Media Features | Mentioned mainly on specialized platforms like SpaceFounders highlighting AI-based object tracking tech |
Publications | Coverage limited to brief profiles emphasizing innovation; lacks mainstream press feature articles |
Podcasts/Interviews | No recorded appearances/interviews by team members |
Conferences/Fairs | No confirmed participation/presentations publicly documented |
Event Involvement | No evidence found for hosting/presenting at external events |
In conclusion, since receiving EIC Accelerator funding after October 6th 2021 submission confirmation date,Share My Space has maintained a low profile with limited exposure mostly confined to niche startup community platforms linked to aerospace innovation. There are no readily accessible media interviews or notable conference participations recorded publicly yet. For more substantial updates on their outreach activities including event participation and media engagements beyond this timeframe would require direct company disclosures or future announcements.
Sources:
- Share my Space - SpaceFounders
- Spreading the Good Word – TWiT.TV
- The 12 Best Space Podcasts on Spotify
- Educators Conference - SEEC - Houston
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