Copernicus Masters now open

The vast amounts of data produced by Europe’s Copernicus environmental monitoring programme and its Sentinel satellites is leading to an ever-increasing number of products and applications for a widening array of businesses.

Since 2011, ESA and Germany’s AZO have organised the annual Copernicus Masters competition to inspire and help entrepreneurs bring their innovations to market.

Europe’s leading innovation competition for Earth observation awards prizes for such outstanding ideas, applications and business concepts from future-oriented small- and medium sized companies, start-ups, universities and individuals in business, research and higher education.

ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Josef Aschbacher, said, “The Copernicus Masters has developed into an important innovation driver for Earth observation.

“Solutions submitted to the competition not only benefit citizens, but also bring multiple socio-economic advantages into various economic areas.”

Participants can demonstrate their innovative use of Earth observation data across a wide range of topics, including the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, energy, health, sustainable living, smart farming, disaster management, maritime, defence and security, forestry and smart farming, digital transportation and smart cities.

Together with cash prizes, winners will receive access to an international network of leading Earth observation organisations, satellite data quotas and business development support worth a total of more than €600 000.

In addition, the overall winner will receive a VIP trip to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to see the launch of a satellite.

The deadline for submission is 30 June. For full details about how to enter and the range of prizes, please visit the Copernicus Masters website.