CNES, EuraTechnologies and the Hauts-de-France Region, partners in developing space innovation for the region's economic development
The CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales), EuraTechnologies and the Hauts-de-France Region yesterday formalized the signing of a framework partnership agreement at the "SpaceTech et Ruralité" event in Saint Quentin (02). The aim of this partnership is to harness the potential of space innovation for the economic and environmental development of the region.
The Hauts-de-France region, which currently accounts for 3% of the national workforce in the aerospace industry, aims to strengthen its position in this field by collaborating with CNES and EuraTechnologies. This tripartite agreement focuses on three major areas of collaboration:
Putting space solutions and technologies to work for the economic development of the Hauts-de-France region, to boost its attractiveness and encourage innovation.
Use space solutions for the environment and risk management, particularly to meet the challenges of climate change.
Promote scientific and technological skills, strengthen training and encourage dialogue between science and society in the region.
As part of this collaboration, EuraTechnologies will be the preferred partner of the Region and CNES in promoting and facilitating access to space solutions and technologies for companies in the Region. As a leading actor of the ESA BIC Nord France, EuraTechnologies will also relay the Space for Climate Observatory's (SCO) calls for projects within its ecosystem, encouraging the emergence of innovative solutions based on space data that could be accredited.
Finally, the Hauts-de-France region and EuraTechnologies, a startup incubator and gas pedal, will facilitate the sourcing and networking of NewSpace companies with CNES, enabling them to benefit from tailored support via the Connect by CNES program.
The first example of this joint commitment to highlighting the concrete opportunities offered by the Space sector for local communities was the "SpaceTech and Rurality" event held in Saint-Quentin on June 12. The event, open to all, brought together professionals, elected representatives, students and citizens around a dozen SpaceTech startups from the region. A round-table discussion on the theme "From the sky to the earth: space technologies at the service of the rural world" and pitches on earth observation, agriculture and the latest start-up innovations punctuated this unique event.
Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Region
"The Region is delighted with the signing of this agreement, which intensifies a collaboration initiated in 2019 that has already enabled several start-ups in Hauts-de-France to accelerate their projects in the space sector. This privileged partnership with CNES and EuraTechnologies is in line with the Region's commitment to transforming its economy over the long term through constant innovation. As witnessed by the success of yesterday's "SpaceTech and Rurality" event in Saint-Quentin, which concretely demonstrated to all participants the contribution of high space technologies to addressing rural issues."
Philippe Baptiste, President CEO of CNES
"NewSpace is at the heart of CNES' concerns, and I'm delighted with the signing of the partnership agreement with the Hauts-de-France Region and EuraTechnologies, as well as the organization of the "SpaceTech and Rurality" event yesterday. The involvement of the Regions and an incubator is a real guarantee of success, as we've seen with SCO, for example, and I'm sure we'll soon see the fruits of this fine initiative."
Koussée Vaneecke, Chairman of the Board of EuraTechnologies
"The signing of this agreement confirms our commitment not only to the emergence of SpaceTech-related startups, but also to our role in supporting the transformation of businesses in the region. Since 2019, we have been one of the referent business partners of the ESA BIC Nord France network, which forms the largest network of space-related startups in the world. The SpaceTech sector offers an opportunity for innovation and concrete impact to be explored."
About CNES
CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) is the public establishment responsible for proposing French space policy to the French government and implementing it within Europe. It designs and places satellites into orbit, invents the space systems of tomorrow, and fosters the emergence of new, everyday services. Founded in 1961, CNES is at the origin of major space projects, launchers and satellites, and is the natural partner for industry in driving innovation. CNES employs nearly 2,400 men and women who are passionate about space, which opens up infinite, innovative fields of application, and operates in five areas: the Ariane program, science, observation, telecommunications and defense. CNES is a major player in technological innovation, economic development and industrial policy in France. It also forges scientific partnerships and is involved in numerous international cooperative ventures. France, represented by CNES, is one of the main contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA).
About Connect by CNES
Connect by CNES federates a comprehensive range of support services for companies, local authorities and institutional players, to promote economic and social development. Connect by CNES is aimed at all players in the external ecosystem, to :
- Facilitate and accelerate their connection with the space world
- Promote or reinforce the integration of space technologies and/or solutions in their product or service development.
- Leverage the space sector to accelerate and add value to their innovations
- Encourage the emergence of new space players and the co-creation of breakthrough concepts.
Press contact
Pascale Bresson – pascale.bresson@cnes.fr – +33 (0)1 44 76 75 39
About EuraTechnologies
Created in 2009 by three historic shareholders, the Lille European Metropolis, the Hauts-de-France Region and the City of Lille, EuraTechnologies is one of Europe's largest startup incubators. Based in the Hauts-de-France region, an hour from Amsterdam, London and Paris, and 30 minutes from Brussels, its mission is to support the development of digital companies and entrepreneurs through a unique methodology and know-how, from idea to project, right through to international deployment. Last year, EuraTechnologies raised €24 million to accelerate its development around 4 priorities: jobs and talent, cutting-edge technological facilities and collaboration in research and innovation, the environmental and energy transition, and international expansion.
Since 2022, EuraTechnologies has been operating the Campus Cyber Hauts-de-France Lille Métropole, supported by the Hauts-de-France Region, the European Metropolis of Lille and the European Union via the ERDF fund. The first regional campus to be accredited by the national Cyber Campus at FIC 2022, it has four main missions: to operate, innovate, train and mobilize.
Find out more : EuraTechnologies.com
Press contact
Marie Laurens – press@euratechnologies.com – +33 (0)6 32 79 62 53
About the Hauts-de-France Region
Today, the Hauts-de-France region employs 3% of the national workforce in the aerospace sector, which includes both aeronautics and space, with a strong concentration of this workforce in aeronautics. The industry can be divided into 2 parts: manufacturing (satellites, launchers, etc.) and services (operators, applications, etc.). On October 4, 2022, the Region voted to sign a partnership agreement with CNES and EuraTechnologies, with the aim of developing applications in the various fields and sectors, and promoting cutting-edge technologies. This agreement will enable the Region to make progress in the space sector and, more generally, in high-tech.
Press contacts
Peggy Collette - El Hamdi – Head of Press Department : peggy.collette@hautsdefrance.fr
+33 (0)3 74 27 48 38 / +33 (0)6 75 93 38 28
Tristan Joly - tristan.joly@hautsdefrance.fr +33 (0)3 74 27 48 60 / +33 (0)7 88 15 93 35