FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Technology Descriptions (TDs) are official documents created to promote and facilitate collaboration between businesses in both the space and non-space industries. They serve as a bridge for sharing innovative ideas, technologies, and solutions.
A TD outlines a technology, innovation, or idea that has potential applications in new industries or sectors. It may already exist as a prototype, operational technology, or even as a concept under development. It is designed to help organizations (e.g: startups, SMEs, large enterprises, universities, or research institutions) present their technology in a structured and consistent way to connect with partners across ESA’s network.
The TD provides a clear overview of the technology, including its functionality, technical concept, and potential applications. It highlights the key advantages and innovations that make it stand out, such as improved performance, safety, ease of use, cost, or novel technical capabilities. Additionally, it includes details on the technology’s readiness level, indicating whether it is at the concept stage, available as a prototype, or already on the market.
Another important aspect of the TD is intellectual property (IP) information, where submitters can indicate whether the technology is patented, copyrighted, or protected by other means. This ensures that there is transparency in potential collaborations and helps other companies understand the terms of the engagement.
To inform other companies about its interests, the TD also specifies the type of partnership being sought, whether it is a licensing agreement, joint venture, commercial collaboration, or another form of cooperation.
Technology Needs (TNs) are formal documents designed to foster collaboration between businesses in the space and non-space sectors.
A TN is a formal request for a solution to a specific technical challenge faced by a company, research institution, or organization. It enables businesses to clearly define their unmet technological requirements and seek innovative ideas or existing technologies that could address them. This approach helps connect organizations with technology providers, whether from the space or non-space sectors, who may offer a viable solution for their problem.
The TN document describes the problem in detail, explaining the product, process, or application where the technology is needed. It outlines current limitations, the shortcomings of available alternatives, and the specific criteria the new technology must meet. These criteria may include performance and functional requirements, maximum cost, size and weight, or compliance with industry standards and certifications. Additionally, the TN includes information about the time frame in which a solution is required, helping potential technology providers assess whether they can meet the demand.
By submitting an TN, organizations are exposed to ESA’s wide network of innovative companies, researchers and technology brokers, which increases the likelihood of finding the right solution for them. This structured approach makes it clearer what opportunities are available in different sectors, allowing companies to take advantage of developments in space applications or other industries that they may not have previously considered.
Any company, startup, research institution, or inventor looking to either share an innovative technology or solve a specific technological challenge can apply. The ESA Technology Broker Denmark supports a wide range of organizations, regardless of their size or industry, as long as they are interested in collaborating on technology transfer between the space and non-space sectors.
- If you have a technology, product, or idea that could be useful for other industries, whether originally developed for space or a non-space sector, you should consider submitting a Technology Description (TD). This is ideal for startups, SMEs, large enterprises, R&D institutions, and universities that want to explore new applications for their innovations, expand into new markets, or find partners to commercialize their technology.
- If your organization is facing a technical challenge and needs an innovative solution, you should submit a Technology Need (TN). It is also suitable for businesses looking to improve efficiency, enhance product performance, or explore new technological possibilities.
Both Technology Descriptions (TDs) and Technology Needs (TNs) can be submitted by companies and organizations from both the space and non-space sectors.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is possible to submit both a TD and a TN form, and there is no limit in the number of TDs and TNs that an entity can submit.
Applying for a Technology Description (TD) or a Technology Need (TN) through ESA Technology Broker Denmark opens the door to new business opportunities, funding possibilities, and strategic collaborations across industries, and across Europe. Whether you are looking to commercialize your technology or find a solution to a challenge, this process connects you to a strong European network of experts, companies, and research institutions.
Submitting a Technology Description (TD) is your opportunity to promote your innovation to potential partners who may be able to adapt, fund, or scale your technology for new uses. It has the potential to lead to licensing agreements, joint ventures, or even entering new markets where your technology could provide a bigger impact. The TD also increases visibility, allowing you to gain recognition within the ESA network and beyond.
If you submit a Technology Need (TN), you gain access to innovative solutions to solve technological challenges using expertise and proven technologies, often in ways you may not have previously considered. By engaging with ESA’s technology transfer ecosystem, you can accelerate your R&D process, improve efficiency, and reduce the risks associated with developing a new solution from scratch.
Additionally, ESA Technology Broker Denmark provides guidance, matchmaking, and funding support, ensuring that both technology providers and solution seekers maximize the benefits of their participation. Whether you want to bring space innovations into new industries (spin-out) or adapt non-space technologies for space applications (spin-in), this initiative helps turn ideas into commercial success.
- After submission, the ESA Technology Broker Denmark team will review your application.
- If found suitable, you will be informed, and your TD and/or TN will be shared within the ESA Technology Broker network Network to connect you with potential partners.
- If found not suitable, you will be informed with the reason. In case, the reason is due to missing or not unclear information, you are invited to re-submit upon updates, .
- You will be contacted if there are relevant matches or collaboration opportunities.
The Technology Description and Technology Needs call is permanently open and has no closing date for the submission of applications. The evaluation of applications is scheduled on a rolling basis.
Your company can submit your application at any time.
