Bridging disruptive research and commercial needs
ESA’s Phi-LabNET is a commercialisation network of innovative laboratories that foster collaboration between ESA, industry and researchers to match disruptive research with emerging commercial needs.
How does Phi-LabNET work?
The network facilitates research into groundbreaking science and technology developments that have high commercial potential, offering co-funding and technical assistance to explore new business concepts.
Who is Phi-LabNet for?
Phi-LabNET aims at supporting European industry (including start-ups and young businesses) in channelling groundbreaking research and maturing it into innovative commercial products and applications.
Where are the Phi-Labs?
Phi-Labs are currently located in the following participating Member States, each acting as a centre of expertise for a specific domain:
- Austria
Industrial innovation for the downstream domain
- Finland
Sensors / GIS computing and geospatial services (EO, PNT, GNSS)
- Ireland
Enabling next-generation space-optimised hardware from materials discovery to high-volume manufacturing
- Netherlands
Earth observation, critical PNT infrastructure, secure satellite communication
- Norway
Cutting-edge technology based on space capabilities to meet Arctic needs
- Poland
Robotics and AI for autonomy
- Spain
Space technologies and their application to boost climate resilience
- Sweden
AI and edge computing
- Switzerland
Deep tech innovation (quantum, data, materials)
- United Kingdom
Space-enabled sustainability technologies
Specific funding opportunities are issued regularly on the respective Phi-Lab websites, in line with national and ESA priorities and programmes.
Additional PhiLabs are planned to be selected following the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial level in November 2025, in agreement with Member States' requests. Their topic will be proposed and defined in due course based on ESA and national priorities.