Copernicus Accelerator Mentors Wanted

The 2017 Copernicus Accelerator, Europe’s unique Earth observation (EO) business coaching programme, is in search of experienced mentors! Take the opportunity to support one of the top 50 visionary finalists of the Copernicus Masters with tailored business coaching. With your expertise, this European Commission programme will advance high-tech EO solutions to success. The accelerator is now open for mentor applications. You are warmly encouraged to submit your application until 28 July.

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Fostering the use of Copernicus data and spurring the development of commercial space applications using EO data are the Accelerator’s main objectives. The Copernicus Accelerator is looking for experienced professionals to support entrepreneurs in turning their outstanding ideas into reality. Mentors and mentees are matched according to their needs & expertise and decide together the focus of the coaching programme. As a mentor, you will support the successful market entry and the achievement of measurable progress of your mentee(s).

Professionals with proven experience in EO, ICT, big data, or in other topics of interest connected to the 2017 Copernicus Masters Challenges are invited to apply as a mentor in the Accelerator database.

Accelerating Benefits
Mentors are remunerated for their business coaching services with EUR 5,000 for each coached startup. You will also gain access to the most pioneering entrepreneurs and the leaders of the EO ecosystem. A bootcamp will kick-off the Accelerator programme in line with the Copernicus Masters Awards Ceremony at the European Space Week in Tallinn, Estonia, from 6-7 November 2017. At this event, you will meet your mentee(s) in person and build the business coaching relationship. You will also have the chance to interact with industry stakeholders, renowned institutions, startups, and other experts from various fields. Your travel expenses will be covered for both Tallinn and the closing bootcamp taking place in an exclusive location in autumn 2018.

Gateway into the Prestigious EO Sector
“The Copernicus Accelerator represents a gateway into the prestigious Earth observation and geo-information sector. This community is constantly in search of brilliant minds and innovation makers contributing new ideas, boosting growth and job creation in Europe. I would like to encourage all mentees and mentors to make use of the Copernicus Accelerator's popularity and their innovative ideas to extend their outreach and network across Europe.” emphasises Philippe Brunet, Director Space Policy, Copernicus and Defence DG Grow, European Commission.

About the Copernicus Masters and the Copernicus Accelerator
AZO has launched the Copernicus Masters in 2011 on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) and with strong support of world-class partners as part of their mission to foster the User Uptake of Copernicus services. The Copernicus Masters is an international competition which awards prizes to innovative solutions for business and society based on Earth observation data. The Copernicus Masters has developed into the moving force of promoting cutting-edge solutions. In 2016, the European Commission has launched the Copernicus Accelerator. This one-of-a-kind programme is focused on providing a tailored business coaching service for up to 50 finalists in the Copernicus Masters competition. The submission phase for the Copernicus Masters 2017 runs until 30 June 2017.

About the European Commission – DG GROWTH
The Accelerator Programme is an initiative funded by the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROWTH) of the European Commission. The DG GROWTH is responsible for: completing the Internal Market for goods and services; helping turn the EU into a smart, sustainable, and inclusive economy by implementing the industrial and sectorial policies of the flagship Europe 2020 initiative; fostering entrepreneurship and growth by reducing the administrative burden on small businesses; facilitating access to funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and supporting access to global markets for EU companies. All of these actions are encapsulated in the Small Business Act; generating policy on the protection and enforcement of industrial property rights, coordinating the EU’s position and negotiations in the international intellectual property rights (IPR) system, and assisting innovators on using IP rights effectively; and implementing the EU’s space policy via its two large-scale satellite programmes Copernicus (for Earth observation) and Galileo (for global navigation), as well as research actions designed to spur technological innovation and economic growth. http://ec.europa.eu/growth/about-us/index_en.htm

AZO has established a global network for innovation and entrepreneurship. It supports product innovation and company foundations in the field of commercial space applications along the entire value chain – from the idea all the way to market entry. AZO has extensive experience in organising innovation competitions such as the European Satellite Navigation Competition, the Copernicus Masters (Earth observation), the STARTUP WORLD Awards (laser photonics and robotics), as well as the INNOspace Masters (New Space Economy), app developer camps and conferences, and manages ESA BIC Bavaria. www.space-of-innovation.com

Regine Heue
Head of Marketing
marketing@azo-space.com
Phone: +49 8105 772 77 - 33

This release was published on openPR.