Three budding businesses affiliate with ESA BIC Ireland at NovaUCD
Three innovative Irish start-ups - Restore Blue, Better Futures, and Polliknow - have joined the ESA BIC Ireland initiative at NovaUCD in Dublin. This two-year business incubation programme supports Irish start-ups with space connections and upstream or downstream applications.
Restore Blue
Founded by Dr Sarah Cosgrove, Restore Blue focuses on promoting environmentally sustainable development for the offshore construction sector. The company has completed various programmes, including the Enterprise Ireland-funded New Frontiers Programme delivered by ATU Sligo-Donegal, the BnM Accelerate Green programme, and the Innovation Studio programme delivered by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Hatch Blue.
Restore Blue supports developers in identifying Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) opportunities, minimising environmental impacts, and embedding biodiversity preservation into their projects.
Better Futures
Better Futures, another start-up in the programme, is an AI-focused company that has developed EVATM, a vertical AI Platform for engineers and manufacturers. The company also won an ABB 2025 Startup Challenge Award in the Generative AI category of the Distribution Solutions Award.
In addition to its success in the ABB competition, Better Futures also won the Design and Manufacturing Award category at the 2024 Irish Times Innovation Awards. The company is also a participant in the Founders programme at Dogpatch Labs.
Polliknow
Polliknow, founded by Meg Brennan, is using AI-powered ground sensors to monitor insect pollinator diversity and abundance. The company's approach generates 20 times more data while simplifying and making biodiversity measurement accessible. Polliknow has completed the Enterprise Ireland-funded New Frontiers Programme delivered by IADT Media Cube in partnership with NovaUCD.
The start-ups now have access to technical expertise, training, funding opportunities, and a network of space industry leaders. Each of the three start-ups can secure up to €50,000 in seed funding.
The companies which have completed the ESA BIC Ireland initiative at NovaUCD to date include Oblivious AI, Plasma Bound, Proveye, StrongBó Agritech, and Timing Solutions. The three new start-ups are aiming to raise €3.3m in funding over the next two years.
ESA BIC Ireland is managed by ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland, a consortium partnership involving several Irish universities and institutions. The programme provides a unique opportunity for start-ups to grow and develop their businesses in the space sector.
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