SpaceFounders
SpaceFounders is a European SpaceTech accelerator founded in 2021 by CNES, ASI, and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. It runs equity-free 3-month cohort programs for Seed-to-Series A startups, delivering in-person bootcamps in Munich, Toulouse, and Turin.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBelin, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SpaceFounders does
SpaceFounders is a European SpaceTech accelerator and investment vehicle founded in 2021 through a trilateral partnership between CNES (the French Space Agency), ASI (the Italian Space Agency), and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. The organization runs a highly selective, three-month acceleration program targeting European SpaceTech startups between Seed and Series A stages, operating a cohort-based model admitting 15 startups per batch across seven cohorts delivered to date. Each cohort completes intensive in-person bootcamp weeks in Munich (Germany), Toulouse (France), and Turin (Italy), supplemented by virtual workshops, 1:1 mentoring, and access to industry events. Since its founding, SpaceFounders has supported over 70 startups across 17 European countries, with alumni companies collectively raising more than €472 million in follow-on funding.
The organization's core offerings include the equity-free acceleration program, a separate CNES-backed investment vehicle managed by the French team, and an elite community network providing access to over 2,000 space industry experts, institutional stakeholders, and venture investors. Unlike conventional accelerators, SpaceFounders charges no program fees and takes no equity stake in participating companies; participants cover only travel and accommodation for in-person bootcamps. The investment vehicle operates independently from program participation and has deployed capital into eight SpaceTech companies including Skynopy, Amphitrite, Cognitive Design by CDS, and Oledcomm, with portfolio companies spanning manufacturing, ground station infrastructure, propulsion, and in-space operations.
The French legal entity, SpaceFounders France, is structured as a subsidiary of CNES and operates as the central node for the trilateral partnership, with the German pillar (SpaceFounders Germany) embedded in the dtec.bw innovation ecosystem at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. Distribution is driven by direct applications through the website, ecosystem referrals from mentors and alumni, and engagement at major industry events such as the Paris Air Show. SpaceFounders maintains strategic relationships with five key corporate partners (Airbus Defence & Space, Thales Alenia Space, Safran, ArianeGroup, and ESA) and a broader ecosystem of institutional signatories including DLR, the European Innovation Council, and Beyond Gravity, providing portfolio companies with structured pathways into institutional procurement across the European space value chain.
SpaceFounders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpaceFounders
- Legal name
- SpaceFounders France
- Website
- https://spacefounders.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SpaceFounders is a European SpaceTech accelerator founded in 2021 by CNES, ASI, and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. It runs equity-free 3-month cohort programs for Seed-to-Series A startups, delivering in-person bootcamps in Munich, Toulouse, and Turin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpaceFounders industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator / Business Incubation Services
- NAICS
- Space Research and Technology (927110), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)
Keywords
Where SpaceFounders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belin
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SpaceFounders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Investment in Portfolio Companies: SpaceFounders invests in outstanding early-stage space companies that complete their program. Investment activities are handled solely by the French team, backed by CNES financial resources. This is separate from the free accelerator program - all investments are independent and not required for program participation. They have invested in eight SpaceTech companies including Skynopy, Amphitrite, Cognitive Design by CDS, and Oledcomm.
- Accelerator Program Services: The core accelerator program is provided free of charge with no equity requirement. This is a partnership initiative between CNES, ASI, and University of the Bundeswehr Munich focused on strengthening the European SpaceTech ecosystem rather than generating direct revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free accelerator program with no equity requirement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SpaceFounders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpaceFounders runs a 3-month highly selective European SpaceTech accelerator program that connects space tech startups with mentors, investors, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders through three in-person bootcamp weeks in Munich, Toulouse, and Turin, plus virtual workshops and 1:1 mentoring. The program is free with no equity requirement for participating startups. In parallel, SpaceFounders (via its French team backed by CNES) makes direct investments in outstanding program graduates and curates an elite community network of over 2,000 space ecosystem experts.
Product overview
SpaceFounders is a partnership between the French Space Agency (CNES), Italian Space Agency (ASI), and University of the Bundeswehr Munich, offering a three-pronged offering: (1) a 3-month highly selective acceleration program with in-person bootcamps in Munich, Toulouse, and Turin, combining virtual workshops and 1:1 mentoring; (2) investment activities backed by CNES for outstanding program graduates; and (3) an elite community network connecting startups with over 2,000 space ecosystem experts, industrial partners, and investors. The program does not require equity participation and has supported over 70 startups from 17 European countries since 2021, with alumni collectively raising over €472 million.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SpaceFounders Acceleration Program A 3-month highly selective accelerator program delivering mentorship, industry connections, and investor introductions to European SpaceTech startups. Includes three in-person bootcamp weeks (Munich, Toulouse, Turin), virtual workshops, 1:1 mentoring, and weekly online sessions. Free with no equity requirement; participants only cover travel and accommodation.
- SpaceFounders Investment Direct investment activity for outstanding early-stage SpaceTech companies (Pre-seed to Series A) that complete the acceleration program. Investments are managed solely by the French team, backed by CNES financial resources, and are independent of program participation. Eight SpaceTech companies have been invested in to date.
- SpaceFounders Community Network Elite network connecting SpaceTech startups with industrial partners, investors, major space institutions, world-class mentors, and venture capital firms. The community provides access to over 2,000 leading experts from across the European space ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- Companies that completed the program have raised €472M+ in total funding
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SpaceFounders
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SpaceFounders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SpaceFounders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreFrench Space Agency - founding partner of SpaceFounders. CNES provides financial backing for investment activities and hosts SpaceFounders France headquarters. Represents France in the trilateral partnership alongside ASI and UniBw Munich.
- ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana)coreItalian Space Agency - founding partner of SpaceFounders. Supports program delivery and ecosystem connections in Italy. One of three pillars of the SpaceFounders partnership structure.
- University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBw M)corePart of dtec.bw innovation ecosystem. SpaceFounders Lead at UniBw Munich is Prof. Dr. Geralt Siebert, Vice President for Research. Provides academic connections and research partnerships.
- Airbus Defence & SpacekeyOne of five key corporate partnerships. Provides industry access, mentoring, and potential business development opportunities for SpaceFounders startups. Signatory of SpaceFounders code of ethics.
- Thales Alenia SpacekeyKey corporate partner with five partnerships total. Provides mentorship, industry connections, and potential integration/partnership pathways for program alumni.
- SafrankeyKey corporate partner in the SpaceFounders ecosystem. Signatory of code of ethics. Provides industry expertise and potential business development opportunities for startups.
- ArianeGroupkeyOne of five key corporate player partnerships. Provides industry connections and potential partnership opportunities for SpaceFounders portfolio companies.
- ESA (European Space Agency)keyHeadquarters in France, center in Netherlands. Signatory of SpaceFounders code of ethics. Provides institutional connections and potential program integration.
- DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt)supportingGerman Aerospace Center. Signatory of code of ethics. Provides technical expertise and German space ecosystem connections.
- European Innovation Council (EIC)supportingBelgium-based European Innovation Council. Signatory of SpaceFounders code of ethics. Potential funding and support pathway for European deep-tech startups.
- Beyond Gravity (formerly Swedish Space Corporation)supportingSwitzerland-based. Signatory of code of ethics. Provides European space industry connections and potential business development opportunities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SpaceFounders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SpaceFounders social profiles
Digital presenceSpaceFounders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpaceFounders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SpaceFounders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpaceFounders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments9 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SpaceFounders
What does SpaceFounders do?
SpaceFounders runs a 3-month highly selective European SpaceTech accelerator program that connects space tech startups with mentors, investors, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders through three in-person bootcamp weeks in Munich, Toulouse, and Turin, plus virtual workshops and 1:1 mentoring. The program is free with no equity requirement for participating startups. In parallel, SpaceFounders (via its French team backed by CNES) makes direct investments in outstanding program graduates and curates an elite community network of over 2,000 space ecosystem experts.
Is SpaceFounders a public or private company?
SpaceFounders is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SpaceFounders founded?
SpaceFounders was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SpaceFounders based?
SpaceFounders is headquartered in Belin, France, in the Europe region.
How does SpaceFounders make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Investment in Portfolio Companies are the primary driver. The others are accelerator Program Services.
Does SpaceFounders have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpaceFounders.
What industry is SpaceFounders in?
SpaceFounders's product category is Startup Accelerator / Business Incubation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMABAE, Space & Astronomy Programs. Its NAICS code is 927110 and its SIC code is 6282.